[drb91]

"Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires."

Nowhere is this more true than Silicon Valley.

[danharaj]

Kind of ignores the fact that socialism did take root, like Eugene Debs running for president, but it was violently uprooted and the ground was torched and salted and a massive state apparatus was developed to make sure it could never be entertained again.

[dragonwriter]

Someone running for President multiple times and never clearing either a single electoral vote or more than 6% of the popular vote is certainly evidence of their personal determination, but hardly evidence of them representating a philosophy that had taken root.

[cafard]

If Eugene Debs running for president proves that socialism did take root, how do the later runs of Norman Thomas not argue against the torching & salting?

[jondubois]

I think that Americans are extremely optimistic. It seems that many Americans believe in fate, at least on a subconscious level; that everything happens for a reason and that everything will work out in the end.

Maybe it's related to the kinds of movies that Americans watch? I love watching Hollywood movies sometimes, but I have to say that compared to international films, the characters in American movies tend to be much more one-dimensional (have very well defined roles) and everything always works out for them in the end.

If you watch European movies, the characters are often hard to pin down and the story often ends either badly or unsatisfying at best... Just like real life.

[genzoman]

Then why just go outside and experience your unsatisfying life instead of paying to see a movie about it?

[jondubois]

That way I can learn about all the other ways in which life can go wrong.

[seppin]

This implies the poor are better off under socialism than as lower class in a rich country.

[iamcasen]

If you know what socialism is, then you would know that they would indeed be better off.

It's simple really, eliminate this concept of capital ownership by individuals or corporations. That way, when you work, your boss is not getting a profit on top of your labor. That means your wages go up! Best thing of all, whatever your participating in, you have part ownership in.

[Tehchops]

It'll surely work this time!

[gremlinsinc]

We need a marriage of systems... where private co-ops own the corporations..they set supply/demand based on market considerations just like capitalism -- but everyone shares in the profits.

Full capitalism/Full socialism isn't the answer...there's got to be some sort of middle ground where more people can be lifted up by the system.

[drb91]

Well, capitalism doesn’t quite work either. But people seem to prefer it for some reason....

[eesmith]

Would you rather be poor in the US, or poor in Sweden?

Both are rich countries. Socialism has a much stronger influence in Sweden.