Quote (Saucisson6000 @ 20 Aug 2019 19:36)

urrh durr evil government

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Prisoners_world_map_png2.png/750px-Prisoners_world_map_png2.png

Quote (Black XistenZ @ 20 Aug 2019 19:39)

For once, you've posted a good data pic. :thumbsup:

There's really no excuse for the abnormally high incarceration rates in the US. But hey, at least Turkmenistan and Ruanda come close. ^_^

Quote (Black XistenZ @ Aug 20 2019 12:35pm)

That's certainly a big contributing factor. Another one is that the original US population consisted almost exclusively of Protestants - and there's just a big difference between the Protestant work ethic and the Catholic social teaching. This difference between Protestant societies and Catholic ones imho explains why the US and Canada have always leaned to the right on economic issues, while predominantly Catholic Latin America has always leaned to the left.

Quote (Black XistenZ @ Aug 20 2019 01:24pm)

Sort of.

The key condition is the concept of "solidarity". No social democracy/socialism/big welfare system will work (in a democracy) if there isnt enough solidarity between different segments of the respective society.
And for various historical, cultural, religious and demographic reasons, the US society is less solidaric and places a higher emphasis on individual responsibility than Europe.




The Soviet Union wasnt an agrarian collective body either, and still practiced socialism.


And yes, the distinction between socialism and social democracy is becoming relevant for the American debate due to the Democrats trending ever more to the left. To name just one example, there is a big practical and theoretical difference between "medicare for everyone who wants it" and "socialized healthcare where private insurance is outlawed". I actually agree that for the longest time, virtually everybody talking about "socialism" in the US was actually referring to principles of social democracy. But this is no longer the case, and therefore, distinguishing between the two has become vital.

Quote (Skinned @ 20 Aug 2019 19:55)

Soviet Union was agrarian when the revolution happened. Stalin developed the means of production and rapidly induced industrialization which caused mass starvation for millions of people as the price. That is everyone's major gripe with him lol. What the fuck are you talking about?

Quote (Black XistenZ @ 20 Aug 2019 19:35)

That's certainly a big contributing factor. Another one is that the original US population consisted almost exclusively of Protestants - and there's just a big difference between the Protestant work ethic and the Catholic social teaching. This difference between Protestant societies and Catholic ones imho explains why the US and Canada have always leaned to the right on economic issues, while predominantly Catholic Latin America has always leaned to the left.

Quote (fender @ 20 Aug 2019 22:19)

sweden, norway, finland, denmark, iceland... some of the most 'socialist' countries in europe are protestant, as is the uk, and half of germany...

the whole 'americans are just not compassionate enough to care about their poor an powerless' is complete horseshit. just look at all the zealots that are willing to outright BAN abortions because they think their religious morals outweigh a woman's right to choose. there is plenty of 'solidarity', so please stop perpetuating those lazy, constructed excuses.
the people that don't want higher wages, worker protection, and other 'welfare' are the few that hold all the political and financial power, and want to maintain it. 'socialism' is welcome when banks have to be bailed out, after their managers and executives got rich speculating and blatantly ignoring the massive bubble that was about to burst, 'socialism' is welcome when rich people and corporations 'need' tax breaks (despite an income inequality on record levels), but 'socialism' to finance the greatest equaliser and provider of real opportunity, education? 'just can't do it, sorry - not because we don't WANT to or can't afford to - no, i-i-it's because... errr... because americans simply lack solidarity, a-a-and aren't 'homogenous' enough - because a bit of bigotry never hurts...'

i hope the shills spreading this crap at least get paid for their service...

Quote (Black XistenZ @ 20 Aug 2019 22:41)

rage rage rage and more rage.

fender cant wrap his head around the fact that Americans continue to vote against his personal policy preferences - so he has to consider them uninformed idiots falling for rich people's propaganda, or being the victims of a corrupted political system, to rationalize their vote.


the tldr, as with all smug leftists, boils down to: "if you dont agree with me or share my perspective, you're either an idiot or a bad person".

Quote (Black XistenZ @ 20 Aug 2019 16:41)

rage rage rage and more rage.

fender cant wrap his head around the fact that Americans continue to vote against his personal policy preferences - so he has to consider them uninformed idiots falling for rich people's propaganda, or being the victims of a corrupted political system, to rationalize their vote.


the tldr, as with all smug leftists, boils down to: "if you dont agree with me or share my perspective, you're either an idiot or a bad person".