Not only that but privatization of the military, schools, utilities, transportation, etc. comes out of federal budgets as well, either by directly paying contractors or subsidizing... the so called "defense" budget pays the like of Black Water and thousands of so called civilian contractors on bases. Military-Industrial Complex.
If we are going to attribute millions of deaths to communism, we can also attribute millions of deaths to capitalism. I think the millions of deaths part has more to do with centralized, or big government, which can occur under either system. I enjoyed the video though.
I'm glad they covered some of the stuff president Wilson did. He was the worst, most fascistic president to step into office. I've been on here saying he was the worst president in history... for quite some time His legacy can still be felt. He sold us out to the banks. The espionage act mentioned in the vid is the sole reason that Julian Assange does not want to step out of that embassy. This video is a little bit sensationalist, but the overall message is true; there were labour movements, the democrats led by Wilson quashed them, and stole some of their policy positions in order to consolidate power. That's why it shouldn't have been a shock the same party rigged it so hard against Bernie. Are you a Marxist? Do you have any book recommendations?
Firstly, sorry for the delay in responding. Your bang on about Wilson. The history of the Labor movement in the US has been tarnished by the Mafia/Teamster types who ended up destroying them. It's very interesting to see how the common man in the US reacted to the Bolshevik revolution in Russia initially and then during and after the first "red scare". I would have considered myself a Marxist many moons ago but like everyone my views have evolved/changed over the years. If I was to apply any label to myself now it would be Libertarian Socialism which brings us on nicely to a book recommendation. My countryman Oscar Wilde's "The Soul of man under Socialism". Wilde was ahead of his time on many fronts including political philosophy. You may have already read it but if not and you can stomach reading something online then here you go. The Soul of Man, by Oscar Wilde
Thanks for the book, I have not read this one. Feel free to PM me any other ones you think I might enjoy! I actually prefer online PDFs and audiobooks to the oldschool way of reading - i retain information a lot better. I enjoy educating myself on all sorts of different ways of thought, I enjoy having my beliefs challenged. I've done a lot of reading on American labor movements of the late 19th/early 20th century, and the Wilson presidency, none of which were covered during my time in the public education system. I'm not much a fan of political labels myself, don't think they're all that important. Some of my personal political theory draws from Marxism, (anti-statism, anti-imperialism), Syndicalism, as well as classical liberalism. If you don't mind me asking, what have been some major influences or events in history that have shaped your views?
Like everyone else my upbringing would have played a large part in my thinking today. My family would have a long history with and strong connection to the IRA. My formative years were spent attending funerals of IRA volunteers and associated political rallies. By the age of 16 I was going by myself and getting actively involved in marches, protests, etc.. both in the North and South of Ireland. It was bred into us to support the ANC, PLO and ETA which were/are resistance groups with a similar agenda to the IRA. To this day you'll see murals in Ireland in support of all these groups. I went and lived in England when I was 18/19 at the height of the troubles in the North and experienced bigotry and hate firsthand. I was locked up without charge on numerous occasions and beaten senseless by the British authorities simply because I was Irish.
does anyone still think america is capitalist? genuinely curious because voting with your wallet doesn't work so well when currency lacks property rights.
so light that most of the middle class can't come up with $1k. thats not capitalism. that's credit. creditism, or just keynesian?
Getting the ppl dependent, addicted and assuming it's the only alternative is another way the CORPORATE STATE controls the ppl... on CREDIT CARDS, car loans, home loans, et.... it's the only thing that has kept capitalism alive during the dismantling of the new deal by the elite who will never get over having to bail out the ppl and govt. back during FDR's time. ppl w/out a credit history or good score can't even rent a cheap studio apartment, not to mention security, 1st & last months deposit, etc.... doesn't help get the homeless (who actually want a home) off the streets and out of parks or tent cities... Nothing revives socialism like capitalism that has become so corrupt it is failing the majority of ppl... Credit Unions are the way to go, Co-Ops that are non-profit with all the services of big banks but the members are giving the banks the finger... lol
would Adam Smith think that negotiable instrument bank notes as currency are property? the fact they are payable to the bearer on demand conveys what property to you when you make the demand? to be clear I am not disagreeing with your points on corporatism or that I prefer the credit union charter as you do, only saying that if money is not property, there's no reward for saving capital and no property rights and no capital does not equate to even quasi "capitalism". it's a ruse. I take my note to the fed and demand redemption, they comply...take the note and hand me another note of the same denomination. the obligation is removed. that seems to be the last semblance left in currency of a property right. weak stuff that's so complicated industries and governments form partnerships around it...no?
Yes but it only works as long as China continues to buy the US debt or until the next collapse of global capitalism as we saw in 2008/2009.. at some point these strips of green paper will be worth less than the paper they were printed on & it can happen in a matter of hours... Not to say go out & buy gold or silver or properties but maybe have something socked away other than the 401K / IRA / BROKEerage Accounts... lol