The centrist American perspective is that we’re the richest, strongest country in the world with deep-rooted systemic problems that are destroying us and that absolutely nothing can be done about it.
The realistic view is that we’re very rich, not quite as strong and stable as we imagine, have deep systemic problems that have been rotting us from within, and it would take large sweeping changes to begin a road to recovery, changes that few are yet desperate enough to begin looking at (because of the first part, we’re still mostly comfortable, even as we see shit falling around us).
The DoI even spoke of this, few people are willing to uproot what they’re familiar with as long as the suffering is manageable.
The problems facing the US aren’t unique to the US, they’re affecting most western democratic countries to varying degrees.
One of the biggest has been the slowest one to develop: a crisis of trust in and abandonment of the traditional institutions of society. The media, government at all levels, the legislative process, law enforcement and the courts, and civil society.
This crisis may be precipitated by but also contributes to a general breakdown of the social contract and an explosion of cynicism and authoritarianism in politics.
The problem is our constitutional amendment system looks impossible at this point due to the state focused system and the polarization between state legislatures.
What I love are the tankies that are absolutely repulsed by Norway, Sweden and Denmark. They REALLY don’t like socialism that way lol, for reasons I cannot fathom.
I asked them to show me another example of socialism working that well and it didn’t seem to make them happy lol
There are non-tankies (me) who just wouldn’t call those countries socialist.
When asked if there are current examples of socialism working well. Pretty much no, you get couped by the CIA for that haha
No, I don’t count Cuba, Vietnam, china etc. as socialist.
You can’t have socialism without democracy, because of, ya know, the whole “worker control” thing…
I’m most familiar with China, and there they just have an extra aspect of the ruling class which also includes party position, in addition to wealth…
In conclusion, accurately pointing out that Norway, Sweden and Denmark aren’t socialist, doesn’t mean you’re a tankie.
They’re just more regulated capitalist countries with better social safety nets than the USA.
they’re about as close to socialism as anything that ever worked.
look, you can say hey these countries are socialism light, or soft socialism, or whatever, but they WORK a fuckton better than anything the hard core types has ever accomplished. And if you call China socialist then ANYTHING is socialism. Pick a lane, you don’t get it both ways.
On the other hand, the terrible object lesson examples for socialism litter the history books. I’ll take a soft socialism 5/5 times before gambling with Pol Pot, Stalin, Xi, Kim etc., you do you.
I think perhaps there has been a misunderstanding because I’m saying none of the above are socialist?
It’s not having it both ways?
The Nordics are not socialism light. The capitalist class are alive and well there. The workers do not have democratic control over the workplaces (unless they happen to be part of a coop), and you’re still able to amass large amounts of wealth on the backs of the working class (there are billionaires from all those countries).
I’m not disagreeing that it’s working better than the “hardcore types” (who I’ve just said aren’t socialist). I’d rather live on the Nordics over China, Vietnam, Cuba etc any day…
I feel like you haven’t actually read my comment :(
On the other hand, the terrible object lesson examples for socialism litter the history books. I’ll take a soft socialism 5/5 times before gambling with Pol Pot, Stalin, Xi, Kim etc., you do you.
In name only. In my opinion, if it’s not democratic, it’s not socialism. But I’m kinda annoyed that you’re implying I think those “examples” are something worthwhile…
I’ll give it another read tomorrow when I’ve given it some more thought.
I love that people I’ve blocked are replying here. LOL.
yes the cool socialist countries supporting american imperialism
for reasons I cannot fathom
that their wealth comes from the exploitation of the global south…? it’s not a thing leftists are quiet about lol
their wealth comes from the exploitation of the global south
norway’s exploiting the global south?
sweden? is that an ikea thing?
lol wtf… please educate us
See clearly you need to read more theory. The Nordic countries are broadly aligned with the USA, that makes them Satan and responsible for all the evil in the world and you should support gangster oligarchies and theocratic dictatorships who oppose them.
it’s so hard to parse a good joke when it comes to tankies this nearly flew right by
responsible for all the evil in the world rofls the great satan, oh man.
I love it. when they completely turn off their brains like this, does it require pulling a plug out or is there a switch?
pogroms and purges of stalin? THE USA’s FAULT
great leap forward where millions starve? OH YEAH, USA’S FAULT BABY
NOTHING IS EVERY YOUR FAULT WHEN YOU’VE GOT THE GREAT SATAN TO BLAME LOL
christ wept this is hilariously stupid
thank you I needed this laugh. well put.
The best part is that it isn’t even a joke, that is how tankies think when you strip off the rhetoric. They honestly think siding with horrible regimes to oppose “imperialism” (even when opposing imperialism involves literal invasions of neighbouring countries) is the lesser evil.
Which is its own level of hilarious given the scorn they have for voting for social democrats as the lesser evil.
norway’s exploiting the global south?
sweden?Where do you think these countries source fresh vegetables+fruits, rare metals, clothing, shoes, asphalt, concrete…?
If 80% are having the debate is that 40% advocating socialism? Please let that be the case. We Europeans keep getting news items to suggest 80% likely hate any form of vote for welfare systems.
A majority of Americans under 35 support socialized medicine but not so much the rest of it.
Thank you. I suspect that the data is out there, just being poisoned by every other utter right-wing garbage that gets populated onto the web.
Speak for yourself. I’ve been a socialist most of my adult life.
I’m just stuck living in a country where 99% of voters are lesser-evilists and just kind of ignore where that gets us. At least, they did until they started starving and had to start living out of their cars. Socialism is looking pretty good now that capitalism spat the centrists out.
Norway is a bad comparison. It has a more homogenous population, a different culture, no state system, and has a very large oil fund.
Norway’s oil trust, formally known as the Government Pension Fund Global, is the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, managing over US $2 trillion in assets. Established to safeguard petroleum revenues for current and future generations, the fund invests heavily in global equities, bonds, real estate, and renewable energy.
A better comparison might be Germany or Britain.
Funny when people do comparison with a singular entry. We got Norway and it’s a bad comparison so I guess I compare it to idea of socialism?
I call it a fundamental communication error
4th caption should be on hat guy, not mustache guy
