Not sure what to think of Millennials (Iowa caucus)

[9andaWiggle]

Saw some numbers that showed people under 40 (the numbers get bigger the younger the voter) overwhelmingly support Bernie over Hillary. So that's good in one sense; they're smart enough to not trust or like Evil Hillary... but they support a guy who is a proud socialist.

But it makes sense. Think about it. For most millennials, socialism is all they've known. Mom and Dad gave them everything, they've never had to work for anything, and society gave them trophies just for participating.

Hell, come to think of it, socialism is sounding better and better to me! Why should I keep working like a fool? That is so my parents generation. Guess I need to make a midlife adjustment and get with the times... C'mon Bernie!! Gimme my freebies!!

 

[Greg T.]

Is the public school system today. They're indoctrinating our young into the socialist mindset.

 

[Good Times Good Times]

The American people are beginning to understand that our current economic system is rigged against them and designed to benefit the top 1%.

 

[Greg T.]

The American people are beginning to understand that our current economic system is rigged against them and designed to benefit the top 1%.

Not really. It's designed to benefit those who wish to excel and succeed. Socialism is designed to fail.

 

[radioactive]

There was a poll a couple of months ago of likely voters something like 45% said they were going to vote for that thing that is married to Bill Clinton. Of those that said they were voting for her 56% said they did not trust her and thought she was a liar.

 

[9andaWiggle]

The American people are beginning to understand that our current economic system is rigged against them and designed to benefit the top 1%.

It is, but anyone who thinks the 1% will allow the government to take their money for redistribution is a fool. Just who do you think has the government in their back pocket? It sure as hell isn't "The People".

All socialism will do is spread what little the 99% have around. The 1% will remain unaffected unless a bloody revolt takes place. Even then, they will just take their money and flee to other parts of the world leaving us plebians to wallow in the shit. Nothing in the voting booth will make any difference, as even those we are allowed to vote for are chosen FOR us, not BY us.

Damn, my pessimism is flowing good today!

 

[livespive]

Don't know, the system today is basically a pyramid scheme. Sure you might move up a rung with "hard" work, but it only benefits the person above you. Only in rare cases can you "skip" a rung. The only reason Socialism fails is the same reason Capitalism is starting to fail. The human factor, GREED, rather for money or power.

While different, both models work until the people in power get greedy.

Not really. It's designed to benefit those who wish to excel and succeed. Socialism is designed to fail.

 

[Good Times Good Times]

It is, but anyone who thinks the 1% will allow the government to take their money for redistribution is a fool. Just who do you think has the government in their back pocket? It sure as hell isn't "The People".

Great, then let's keep the status quo. If the people elected individuals that are not beholden to special interests (see Trump/Sanders) things can happen.

All socialism will do is spread what little the 99% have around. The 1% will remain unaffected unless a bloody revolt takes place. Even then, they will just take their money and flee to other parts of the world leaving us plebians to wallow in the shit. Nothing in the voting booth will make any difference, as even those we are allowed to vote for are chosen FOR us, not BY us.

I don't think you're separating the idea of democratic socialism. Social democracy is the promotion of a mixed economy, in which the private capitalist sector is retained, but social welfare provisions are in place to make capitalist’s activity tolerable to society at large. Democratic socialism is the promotion of an alternative economic system, in which the means of production are controlled democratically by the workers. Despite those differences, social democracy and democratic socialism have both common roots in the industrial revolution and the growing class separation between the proletariats, or workers, and the bourgeoisie, or the capitalists. It is not a radical idea to state that no worker in this country working 40 hours a week should live in poverty. Meanwhile, you've got the top 400 Americans owning more wealth than the bottom 150 million Americans. More and more folks are understanding that is not right. ~9, look, I get that you and Greg are fine with that OR don't think anything can/should be done about that but I truly feel like I can disagree with that notion and not be an un-American POS.

 

[Good Times Good Times]

My point is we need policies that bring us together and create an economy that works for all of us, rather than a few.

 

[AlwaysWrite]

Is the public school system today. They're indoctrinating our young into the socialist mindset.

That's for sure!

 

[AlwaysWrite]

The American people are beginning to understand that our current economic system is rigged against them and designed to benefit the top 1%.

... but wasn't that supposed to change under Barack Hussein Obama?

 

[9andaWiggle]

GT, It's not necessarily that I'm OK with it... and I don't think you, Mr. Freeburn, or anyone else here are un-American. I just think we're pretty well screwed, the cat is out of the bag and refuses to go back in. The 1%, those 400 or so people who have all the wealth... they don't give a shit about you, me, or the other 300 some odd million others of us. Often I wonder if they even care about America outside of how they can exploit it for even more profit/control.

Further, since those 400 people are basically in charge, they're not going to give up anything they don't want to. While they may promise to spread the wealth in campaign speeches (either on the Right by "creating jobs" or on the Left by creating "equality"), it won't be THEIR money getting shared. They will merely quash the middle class, take that little bit of money to spread around and essentially ensure everyone else remains poor and powerless.

And like I said, the "Vote" is essentially rigged since the parties (controlled by those in charge) pick who we get to vote for, guaranteeing "The People" will never win. Outside of 400 people, we all lose.

How's that for a "State of the Union" speech?

 

[livespive]

exploit=capitalize=capitalism

But 9 is right, the cat is out of the bag. Had this been found out a while ago there might have been a chance.

GT, It's not necessarily that I'm OK with it... and I don't think you, Mr. Freeburn, or anyone else here are un-American. I just think we're pretty well screwed, the cat is out of the bag and refuses to go back in. The 1%, those 400 or so people who have all the wealth... they don't give a shit about you, me, or the other 300 some odd million others of us. Often I wonder if they even care about America outside of how they can exploit it for even more profit/control.

Further, since those 400 people are basically in charge, they're not going to give up anything they don't want to. While they may promise to spread the wealth in campaign speeches (either on the Right by "creating jobs" or on the Left by creating "equality"), it won't be THEIR money getting shared. They will merely quash the middle class, take that little bit of money to spread around and essentially ensure everyone else remains poor and powerless.

And like I said, the "Vote" is essentially rigged since the parties (controlled by those in charge) pick who we get to vote for, guaranteeing "The People" will never win. Outside of 400 people, we all lose.

How's that for a "State of the Union" speech?

 

[Good Times Good Times]

GT, It's not necessarily that I'm OK with it... and I don't think you, Mr. Freeburn, or anyone else here are un-American. I just think we're pretty well screwed, the cat is out of the bag and refuses to go back in. The 1%, those 400 or so people who have all the wealth... they don't give a shit about you, me, or the other 300 some odd million others of us. Often I wonder if they even care about America outside of how they can exploit it for even more profit/control.

Further, since those 400 people are basically in charge, they're not going to give up anything they don't want to. While they may promise to spread the wealth in campaign speeches (either on the Right by "creating jobs" or on the Left by creating "equality"), it won't be THEIR money getting shared. They will merely quash the middle class, take that little bit of money to spread around and essentially ensure everyone else remains poor and powerless.

And like I said, the "Vote" is essentially rigged since the parties (controlled by those in charge) pick who we get to vote for, guaranteeing "The People" will never win. Outside of 400 people, we all lose.

How's that for a "State of the Union" speech?

Well, I can't say you aren't pessimistic (as you've described yourself haha).....You simply do not accept as possible that the American people have the ABILITY to elect legislators not beholden to the establishment. I think what people my age (a SMALL 32 on this board. lolz at you oldies j/k) we're starting to turn the page a bit as people realize that working longer hours for lower wages............sucks. I think we have watched our parents work their lives away where we tend to want to enjoy life experiences more. Workers in the United States work more hours than any other industrialized country. That sucks if you want to participate in life.

 

[Good Times Good Times]

The 1%, those 400 or so people who have all the wealth... they don't give a shit about you, me, or the other 300 some odd million others of us. Often I wonder if they even care about America outside of how they can exploit it for even more profit/control.

And like I said, the "Vote" is essentially rigged since the parties (controlled by those in charge) pick who we get to vote for, guaranteeing "The People" will never win. Outside of 400 people, we all lose.

I truly believe people are waking up to this and it's pissing them off! I think you're beginning to see the early waves of people becoming awake to these facts (that I don't necessarily disagree with!).

 

[9andaWiggle]

I think you've hit it. 1) I'm not convinced that a candidate not beholden to the establishment can get elected (the deck is stacked against them), and 2) even if one did get through, what are the odds that person would be strong enough to resist the bribes, kickbacks (or possibly threats to himself/family) and not cave to the establishment or just get out?

I'll agree people are waking up and pissed off, but so many resources and power have been amassed by "The Establishment", I'm not sure sure the ship can be righted peacefully.

 

[Brickguy221 (R.I.P.)]

No doubt that Mr Freeburn is celebrating today with his famous home-made Martinis

 

[Good Times Good Times]

I think you've hit it. 1) I'm not convinced that a candidate not beholden to the establishment can get elected (the deck is stacked against them), and 2) even if one did get through, what are the odds that person would be strong enough to resist the bribes, kickbacks (or possibly threats to himself/family) and not cave to the establishment or just get out?

I'll agree people are waking up and pissed off, but so many resources and power have been amassed by "The Establishment", I'm not sure sure the ship can be righted peacefully.

Money and wealth should serve the people. The people should not have to serve money and wealth. We must move towards a democracy where one can run for office without begging for contributions from the wealthy and the powerful. The greatest enemy of change is believing it's impossible. That message is resonating with younger voters.

 

[Good Times Good Times]

No doubt that Mr Freeburn is celebrating today with his famous home-made Martinis

Tonight does seem like a cocktails kind of night......I may go Captain and Coke.........with a lime!

 

[Good Times Good Times]

I think that were are in a time where a lot of things cannot be hidden like they used to be. We can generally tell how manipulating lobbies and corporations are.