@emiliya Wealth is not lying idle unless it is stuffed in a mattress. If it is in the bank or other account, it is not idle, it is being used every day. This is why you get interest.
and yes, some people are idle and unproductive their whole lives, but Democrats believe they should have everything that everyone else has.
@DogMan A bank account is better than stuffing cash in a mattress. But diverting wealth to those need it and can best use it is far better still. Don't let ideology blind you. Economic redistribution can and does help capitalist systems work more efficiently. See also the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30).
I 100% believe the Nordic model of Social Democracy is the best kind of government because Capitalism stays but Socialist programs exist to help those who need help so yes America should definitely have Social Democracy and I will ALWAYS support Universal Healthcare! 😇😇😇
@SW-User yeah because the liberals set up the laws that way. They won't allow competition across state lines. The setup obamacare to funnel all monies the insurance companies.
The socialist brand is on the rise, according to recent polling, fueling the left flank of the Democratic Party to argue its ideology is becoming more mainstream.
Shortly after Gallup released data showing Democrats and independents are cooling toward capitalism, a progressive organization is out with a poll finding that more than half of likely Democratic voters prefer socialist-aligned figures like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Zohran Mamdani to establishment politicians like Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jefrries and Nancy Pelosi.
@ElwoodBlues I don't know about the other Nordics but in Norway we don't have a legally enforced minimum wage. What we do have is probably impossible to implement in the US because of the hostility between unions, the state, and employers.
We have a system of tariffs (not those disguised taxes that Trump imposes) that define the minimum income for a wide range of defined jobs. These are adjusted every year in a conference between the employers organization and the unions with the the government providing a sort of referee to keep the proceedings moving.
The results are binding on those companies that are members of the organization but companies are not obliged to be members. Those outside can pay what they like but they have to compete for employees with companies that pay tarifflønn so they generally pay up.
@DogMan Not exactly, and not directly. There aren't really any big official barriers to becoming wealthy. In fact we aren't far behind the US in terms of billionaires per capita. 2.1 per million people in Norway versus 2.8 in USA.
But the state goes to a lot of effort to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get an education, an apprenticeship, a job, or create a company. And it regulates the behaviour of employers and unions so that they have to work together. It also regulates working hours, time off, sick leave, etc. so that no one can be forced to work unsocial hours or too much overtime.
All this means that any employer needing workers has to pay up or go under.
It's a long way from perfect and we always have lots of wrangling about exactly how things should be regulated and some employers push the boundaries as hard as they can but, in my opinion, it works better than a lot of other countries.
By the way the rates of pay I mentioned (tarifflønn) are not set by the government. The government just acts as referee in the discussions between the principal employers organization and the umbrella union organization.
This message was deleted by the author of the main post.
No. Why fix what isn't broke? Despite the whiny liberals here, the US is, was and shall remain the world's leader. Why change what's been working for a long time? Even Nordic states are adjusting their social benefits to include more means tesing and residency time frame and work requirements.
In real life, the grass isn't always greener elsewhere.
The US already has a "socialist" model for funding primary & secondary education, national defense, coast & harbor protection, police & fire depts to name a few areas.
Are you suggesting these services should become market-driven? Should I choose how much national defense I personally want to pay for? Should I be able to opt out of paying for police protection and rely on my own guns and skills? Let me know your thoughts on de-socializing our wonderful country!!
@DogMan All you're telling me is that the right wing agrees with socialism for primary & secondary education, national defense, coast & harbor protection, police & fire depts!!
See!! you are a socialist too!! You want socialism in some areas of society and capitalism in other areas!! Just like Bernie & AOC!!!
@DogMan Much of my hard-earned money goes to corporate welfare!! Why do oil companies need socialism???
The federal government provides the U.S. fossil fuel industry with an estimated $34.8 billion in annual subsidies. Historically, oil, gas, and coal have received $549 billion in direct tax subsidies over the last 150 years. The tax code specifically assists these companies
As for what I'm willing to pay, I'd like to return the US to the tax rates under Bill Clinton. Remember when he balanced the budget?? That's what we need again!!
because that is what it is all about.
No, it's about every tax payer paying fheir fair share!!
AND, as I said above, you are a socialist too!! You want socialism in some areas of society and capitalism in other areas!! Just like Bernie & AOC!!!
The Nordic states — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden — are small, stable democracies with strong parliamentary systems, high levels of political trust, and a shared political culture rooted in social democracy
It seems that most Democrats hate Capitalism, and love Socialism.
REALLY?? Can you link us to any data that might substantiate that wild assertion?? How many democrats have requested state ownership of the means of production???
@Strictmichael75 So do you want to go back to the Dark Ages???
Historical Origins Capitalism as an economic system evolved over time rather than being invented by a single individual. Its roots can be traced to medieval trade and early European commerce, where merchants in Italy and the Netherlands began investing money in ventures to generate profit, laying the groundwork for capitalist practices.
The Nordic people invented Capitalism. That is why they are so good at it.
@Waveney I have nothing to be jealous of. I achieved the American dream many years ago.
My trust will make a few people very wealthy when I pass. I'm still trying to decide who will get my beautiful vacation home in the mountains of southern Utah. It's a tough decision.
My ranch will go to a non-profit animal rescue, since it is set up for Dogs, Horses, etc..
Luckily there is no debt for anyone to contend with.
Americans could not handle it. Too much brainwashed fear of communism. Almost every other country in the G20 is a form of social democracy and none have become raging commies. The US just has to grow up a little.
@MasterLee From a country that requires their citizens publicize their political affiliation and restrains political participation to a choice between one of two parties that are controlled by dark money, Instilled freedom seems a bit of a joke.
@Khenpal1 Yeah, its tough having 50 states that are each the size of a European country.
But it has worked out great for me. I live in the southwest, and spend a lot of time in southern Utah. It is the most beautiful place in the world. From Zion to Moab. I do a lot of 4 wheeling and dirt bike riding in what can only be described as Paradise.
