Economic Sentiment Poll

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Originally Posted by JakeMartinez

Capitalism, as I've said before, is outdated and needs to be completely overhauled.

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Yes, but have yet to state with detail why it should.

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Just because it's the best thing we've had, it doesn't mean it's the best we can ever hope to achieve.

No matter what, everything that exists in our universe is a product of it, and will constantly be revised and improved or even replaced by something better.

400 or so years is a good run, but it's time to find something better.

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Social democracy is what you seek. It will have a tough time in regards to competition with capitalism. Capitalism is based solely on competition, you will find it hard to replace a system such as this without global totalitarian order...

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Originally Posted by DaBudhaStank

My mistake, I could have sworn health care IS a right, ya know.....the RIGHT to be able to see a doctor when you're sick or injured instead of having to stay home and suck it up? Maybe? It could be just me. People aren't entitled to much, but having your physical well being maintained is DEFINITELY a right, especially when it's threatened by something that's not your fault.

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What makes health care a right? All that you state above is a plea to pity.

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Originally Posted by GoldenBoy812

What makes health care a right? All that you state above is a plea to pity.

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Practically all of western europe view health care as a right. They view their citizens as resources that has the potential to earn capital. A healthy and educated country has proven to be successful time and time again. I observed between all these arguments, it's either for capitalism or against. This makes zero sense to me considering a country like Switzerland, one of the most capitalist countries in the world, has a socialized health care system. With combination of efforts from the private health care, as well as the government providing more medicare, I cannot see why there isn't viable solution.

I'd rather pay for someones health care than a few soldiers "vacations" to be posted in Germany for a few years. Or their living expenses. Or tax benefits. The only money soldiers are bring in is government spending for defense contracts. Otherwise they are the same type of burden as citizens would when it comes to health care.

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Originally Posted by thcbongman

Practically all of western europe view health care as a right. They view their citizens as resources that has the potential to earn capital. A healthy and educated country has proven to be successful time and time again. I observed between all these arguments, it's either for capitalism or against. This makes zero sense to me considering a country like Switzerland, one of the most capitalist countries in the world, has a socialized health care system. With combination of efforts from the private health care, as well as the government providing more medicare, I cannot see why there isn't viable solution.

I'd rather pay for someones health care than a few soldiers "vacations" to be posted in Germany for a few years. Or their living expenses. Or tax benefits. The only money soldiers are bring in is government spending for defense contracts. Otherwise they are the same type of burden as citizens would when it comes to health care.

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This is a good point, and i am glad you brought it up. Most of western Europe does have care such as this, as does a large part of eastern Europe. Yet think of the history of government in Europe, who for a rather long time depended on monarchy to govern. Our (American) culture as a whole was developed with less of a dependence on government in its conception, which is why such measures of Universal Health Care have met harsh critics.

I support the idea of a resource based economy and society.

And, the only way that can happen is if Capitalism fails.

You're right, trying to compete with Capitalism is like taking on a formidable opponent on his home turf. You still have a chance of winning, but it's about the size of a grain of sand.

Trickle Down Economics have never worked.

You give the rich a Tax Break and they outsource.

But we can bail them out, they get the profits, we pay the debit!!!
Capitolism and Free Enterprise at it's finest!

or is that Socialism?

In the poll, I said I thought we were in a deep recession that could last a long time. I am certain we are entering at least a normal recession that is part of what I think is a normal business cycle. Ordinarily that would not last very long on its own. But that is not all that is going on. We are also having this credit crisis that is not part of a normal business cycle --- it is an abnormal problem added to the normal recession. The deflation of the housing bubble, the resulting credit crisis, the cyclical recession, the stock market crash, and the huge national debt may all begin to reinforce eachother in bad ways and create a worse economic crisis. I don't think we are headed for another Great Depression (but it is possible). More likely the crisis will not technicaly be a Depression, but it could be severe and could last a long time --- maybe something like the "Lost Decade" in Japan during the 90's.

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Originally Posted by dragonrider

In the poll, I said I thought we were in a deep recession that could last a long time. I am certain we are entering at least a normal recession that is part of what I think is a normal business cycle. Ordinarily that would not last very long on its own. But that is not all that is going on. We are also having this credit crisis that is not part of a normal business cycle --- it is an abnormal problem added to the normal recession. The deflation of the housing bubble, the resulting credit crisis, the cyclical recession, the stock market crash, and the huge national debt may all begin to reinforce eachother in bad ways and create a worse economic crisis. I don't think we are headed for another Great Depression (but it is possible). More likely the crisis will not technicaly be a Depression, but it could be severe and could last a long time --- maybe something like the "Lost Decade" in Japan during the 90's.

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See, it's the synergy of all these problems (cyclical recession, housing bubble burst, subprime mortgage crisis, stock market volatility, credit crunch, rising unemployment, rising energy costs followed by a "crash" in crude oil prices, increased inflation/decreased buying power of the dollar vs. world markets, and the way the Fed is HEMORRHAGING new money to bail out the lenders) that make me think we're in for some very rough times. Oh I forgot to mention that consumer sentiment is down the drain, too. I mean, look at this poll. The number one answer is "We're completely screwed." Consumer confidence plays a huge role in the economy.

EDIT: I forgot to add one to the list...Credit Card lenders are about to take a shit. That's what I've been reading, lately. Like the economy needs ANOTHER major nail in its coffin.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 25

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living
adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of
his family, including food, clothing, housing and
MEDICAL CARE and necessary social services, and the right
to security in the event of unemployment, sickness,
disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of
livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

Lets be honest, its waaaaaaaaaay too optimistic to expect countries to uphold every part of the UN Declaration. Its something they signed on to, and aspire to...the 'rosey' picture, so to speak. yet there are always violations...even in the G8 countries. It is simply talk at the UN...all damn day. Nothing gets done. And they don't have the means to make people abide by such declarations.
A better example might be the right to life. Mentioned in the US Constitution, not to mention many around the world. I'm sorry but some people need to step out of this god-fearing view of anything socialized...health care is a necessity, and if not affordable, it should be provided. Everyone has the right to live.