Letters from the dark side
Oct. 23rd, 2008 04:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sealOnce again there are heavy (handed) attempts to link the word "socialism" to the word "liberal" among republicans and libertarians. It goes without saying that the first word is a cursing word and the second word is under construction to become a dirty word, if possible.
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zombienought once said that the US is a libertarian paradise, and the sad part is that the libertarians don't even know it, they just bitch and moan about all that is wrong. To a degree I think he is absolutely right, and the degree varies depending on which state we are talking about. Certain states are definitely more paradiselike than other. Take a state that has a pro-gun, low tax, privatized everything, low on welfare, starve state funds - now that's what we're talking about. Colorado gradually became more and more like this during the 90's, and it's a really easy study of numbers to say that the quality of the State has slipped into a downward spiral. Pick one area and just study the numbers, for instance, pick an area like education, where Colorado once upon a time was among the top ten states. Ask a teacher - any teacher of children and you will hear stories, interesting stories, particularly if the teacher had her profession before TABOR (before 1992). Comparisons are stunning.
Anyway, Have you, my fellow Swedes, heard that Sweden and a number of other "socialist" countries in Europe (like Italy and Switzerland) are now going bankrupt because of our failed socialist ways?
This was news to me too, but according to certain right wing anti Obama people on line, this is true!
Doggonit, I'd better stay in America then, with its superior health care.
The same people that wrote that also wrote that it is the Democratic party's fault that the economy crashed. In fact (drumroll) Alan Greenspan WARNED liberals who tried to block regulations, when voting.
Do these people not read any newspapers at all? Or are they just enjoying the lying. Greenspan is the problem. A democratic woman did the warning, ten years ago, Greenspan slammed her. Fun article about how Greenspan is completely shocked about the crisis, but still denies blame
This is how it is in Sweden:
We have seven larger parties: The Social Democrats (socialist with capitalist tendencies), the Left Party (probably the closest to the word "socialists", but not quite by Marx' doctrines), the Green Party (basically leftist liberals), the Center party (originally a farmer's party, they like free trade and environmental issues), The Folk party (much like US centrist liberals), The Christian Democrats (right wing libs or moderate reps, social conservatives, fiscal centrists) and finally the Moderats (basically right wing liberals or moderate republicans, fiscal conservatives and social centrists).
The once leader of the Moderate party in Sweden, Carl Bildt, had a saying: To the right of us is only the abyss. I always enjoyed that quote, even if I didn't always enjoy the man himself.
If I had to choose, I'd be inclined to choose the Social Democrats, but I will say that no party is exactly in my taste, and that I have voted to the right of the SD party. I also actually think it is good that there is a minority government that's right wing in Sweden right now, because I think the Social Democrats should shape up as a party.
So, party-wise I could with great honesty say that I am unaffiliated, in my home country. My heart & ideology is not with any party, but with what's called The Swedish Way or The Swedish Model, which basically is this:
1)Fairly high taxes, but also extremely proportional taxes.
2)Very high audits and control on governmental spending money, but also a lot of spending money.
3)Very free media/speech/open records policies
4)Fully state funded welfare, health care, care for the elderly and the handicapped, college and certain other things. (this means for instance that anyone can go to college regardless of family money, as long as they have sufficient grades)
5) Privatized health care for those who want and can afford it. (this means that you can choose what you want to go to a private clinic for, without ever losing your state funded health care)
6) Basically a system in which Private Corporate forces coexist with State forces.
7) How do you even explain "allemansrätten" to non-swedes? Basically it means that all land, be it private or state owned is free to roam for any citizen, as long as you follow certain rules (as to not destroy, litter or pollute anything).
The Swedish way can be modified in one direction or another, depending on who's in power. More capitalism or more socialism, so to speak, which leads me to my last conclusion on this issue.
I have never seen a somewhat successful economic system in any country without socialism (yes, this highly includes the US)
I have never seen a somewhat successful economic system in any country without capitalism.
To round this off with something hilarious: a friend sent me what's below, click and watch it, even if it's not as funny as if I really was able to vote in this election.
zombienought once said that the US is a libertarian paradise, and the sad part is that the libertarians don't even know it, they just bitch and moan about all that is wrong. To a degree I think he is absolutely right, and the degree varies depending on which state we are talking about. Certain states are definitely more paradiselike than other. Take a state that has a pro-gun, low tax, privatized everything, low on welfare, starve state funds - now that's what we're talking about. Colorado gradually became more and more like this during the 90's, and it's a really easy study of numbers to say that the quality of the State has slipped into a downward spiral. Pick one area and just study the numbers, for instance, pick an area like education, where Colorado once upon a time was among the top ten states. Ask a teacher - any teacher of children and you will hear stories, interesting stories, particularly if the teacher had her profession before TABOR (before 1992). Comparisons are stunning.Anyway, Have you, my fellow Swedes, heard that Sweden and a number of other "socialist" countries in Europe (like Italy and Switzerland) are now going bankrupt because of our failed socialist ways?
This was news to me too, but according to certain right wing anti Obama people on line, this is true!
Doggonit, I'd better stay in America then, with its superior health care.
The same people that wrote that also wrote that it is the Democratic party's fault that the economy crashed. In fact (drumroll) Alan Greenspan WARNED liberals who tried to block regulations, when voting.
Do these people not read any newspapers at all? Or are they just enjoying the lying. Greenspan is the problem. A democratic woman did the warning, ten years ago, Greenspan slammed her. Fun article about how Greenspan is completely shocked about the crisis, but still denies blame
This is how it is in Sweden:
We have seven larger parties: The Social Democrats (socialist with capitalist tendencies), the Left Party (probably the closest to the word "socialists", but not quite by Marx' doctrines), the Green Party (basically leftist liberals), the Center party (originally a farmer's party, they like free trade and environmental issues), The Folk party (much like US centrist liberals), The Christian Democrats (right wing libs or moderate reps, social conservatives, fiscal centrists) and finally the Moderats (basically right wing liberals or moderate republicans, fiscal conservatives and social centrists).
The once leader of the Moderate party in Sweden, Carl Bildt, had a saying: To the right of us is only the abyss. I always enjoyed that quote, even if I didn't always enjoy the man himself.
If I had to choose, I'd be inclined to choose the Social Democrats, but I will say that no party is exactly in my taste, and that I have voted to the right of the SD party. I also actually think it is good that there is a minority government that's right wing in Sweden right now, because I think the Social Democrats should shape up as a party.
So, party-wise I could with great honesty say that I am unaffiliated, in my home country. My heart & ideology is not with any party, but with what's called The Swedish Way or The Swedish Model, which basically is this:
1)Fairly high taxes, but also extremely proportional taxes.
2)Very high audits and control on governmental spending money, but also a lot of spending money.
3)Very free media/speech/open records policies
4)Fully state funded welfare, health care, care for the elderly and the handicapped, college and certain other things. (this means for instance that anyone can go to college regardless of family money, as long as they have sufficient grades)
5) Privatized health care for those who want and can afford it. (this means that you can choose what you want to go to a private clinic for, without ever losing your state funded health care)
6) Basically a system in which Private Corporate forces coexist with State forces.
7) How do you even explain "allemansrätten" to non-swedes? Basically it means that all land, be it private or state owned is free to roam for any citizen, as long as you follow certain rules (as to not destroy, litter or pollute anything).
The Swedish way can be modified in one direction or another, depending on who's in power. More capitalism or more socialism, so to speak, which leads me to my last conclusion on this issue.
I have never seen a somewhat successful economic system in any country without socialism (yes, this highly includes the US)
I have never seen a somewhat successful economic system in any country without capitalism.
To round this off with something hilarious: a friend sent me what's below, click and watch it, even if it's not as funny as if I really was able to vote in this election.
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no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 01:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 03:44 am (UTC)You just need to find a great gay Swedish guy.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 01:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 03:42 am (UTC)I'll most likely be here at that time, so we can meet up! (I am going to Sweden, but probably not until right after Thanksgiving)
no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 06:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 02:11 am (UTC)"Do these people not read any newspapers at all?"
Of course not. They might be exposed to ***gasp*** facts. That might lead to the terrifying process known as thinking! ;p
no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 03:49 am (UTC)Treatment for mental illness, physical therapy, fertility treatment...sigh. You get the picture. It's not perfect, but it's better than here. (unless you are wealthy)
sometimes I just want to cry.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 11:36 pm (UTC)The sex education/teen pregnancy thing (along with the significantly lower STDs) is something that sticks with me because southernmost Alberta is noted for having the highest teen pregnancy rate in this country (STD rate unknown ... to me, anyway), which correlates with it also being Canada's "Bible Belt." ***SIGH***
no subject
Date: 2008-10-26 12:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-26 05:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 03:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 11:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-25 10:26 am (UTC)She just said, I read all of them.
That, to me, shows how truly stupid she is.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-26 12:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 10:42 pm (UTC)I think it's a neurological disorder really - mistaking words for ideas, and ideas for the physical bodies of people who express them. It's no wonder that racism seems more prominent on the Right.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-26 01:00 am (UTC)it's the new turtleneck black among such "independents".
no subject
Date: 2008-10-25 10:24 am (UTC)SD is used here in Sweden for Sverigedemokraterna and as you might know, they're growing all the time in numbers.
Next election they might very well...no, I can't even say it. :(
no subject
Date: 2008-10-26 12:55 am (UTC)