This is an excellent segment from the Kyle Kulinski show. He correctly points out the flaws in capitalism.
Marx explained all this 150 years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpSOkiJSda0
Capitalism is a failed system.
Okay, so we have a bunch of failed systems... now what?
Got a solution that isn't communism, socialism, or fascism? Because those are failed systems too.
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Great minds discuss ideas.
Average minds discuss events.
Small minds discuss people.
Leftists always lie.
Wokeness is Weakness.
New 21st century socialism with American characteristics.
I published an article outlining it on Substack:
https://inquiringmind001.substack.com/p/american-socialism
The programs and tax system put in place by FDR helped the working-classes move up until the GOP systematically destroyed them starting in the 1970s with their pro-rich agenda.
How do we end the pro-rich agenda? For instance, Citizens United v. FEC decision with money in politics, private prisons which criminalize for profit, tax system which benefits the rich, etc.. We need to start here.
"21st century socialism while staying true to its core values and principles"
Most of your ideas are contrary to the above and would receive major pushback. For example, nationalizing private companies. It would be better if companies paid their fair taxes, paid fair wages, had good benefits including healthcare and pension, consumer protections, lower CEO salary, end stock buybacks which used to be illegal, provide childcare for employees, paid sick leave and maternity leave, etc.. I also like the idea of companies building employee housing like they used to do.
Investors buying private houses should be illegal. That's what is making housing unaffordable.
Free drugs would only create a country of drug addicts since a large part has to do with self-medicating due to mental health or personal issues. Limitations in place means there would still be illegal drug dealers to serve the needs of all the new drug addicts. Increased crime to pay the drug dealers, too.
I like the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends idea, but a few hundred or thousand dollars won't be enough to support anyone. Private companies are given taxpayer money for R&D. I'd like to see some of their profit returned to us as a dividend instead of it creating multi-billionaires who hog all the profit for themselves. Or paid back with the company ideas already mentioned.
Personally, I like the Nordic Model. But, there still has to be a strong incentive for people to invent things and create businesses. People should still become rich for their effort, but their employees shouldn't be impoverished working for them.
My system fulfills FDR's vision of an economic Bill of Rights, which expands on the original Bill of Rights to include economic justice. American values and ideas serve as the foundation for my system, which emphasizes direct democracy and democracy in the workplace. By ensuring that 50% of businesses are democratically run worker-owned co-ops, we can cultivate a population that is accustomed to participating in the democratic process. When you have an active and informed populace, they will demand heavy regulations on corporations and all the other things you mentioned. And a socialist party that represents the people will enact those laws because they will no longer work for the oligarchs. Publicly financed elections eliminate the need for wealthy donors.
Turning to addiction, this idea that if we legalize drugs we will be a country full of addicts is unfounded. This is a misunderstanding of how addiction actually functions. Countries such as Portugal have legalized or decriminalized most drugs, and there was no increase in addiction. In fact, I believe addiction decreased. The reason people turn to addiction is because of diseases of despair. Currently in the U.S., we are in what Émile Durkheim called 'Anomie'‒ a sense of alienation, disconnection from society, and purposelessness experienced by people due to the erosion of standards and traditional values ‒ where norms no longer seem to apply, and people engage in deviant behavior as a result. This breakdown of society occurs during times of rapid social change or economic upheaval. When you improve the economic conditions of people and give them a purpose, it is unlikely that they will turn to addiction.
*continued...*
*Part 2*
The reason for legalizing drugs is to end mass incarceration. While there may still be a black market and drug dealers, they won't be as prevalent as they are now since most people will get their drugs legally. Corner boys in black neighborhoods who get caught selling illegal drugs would no longer go to prison. The punishment for selling drugs would no longer involve lengthy prison sentences. Instead, they would get a small fine and community service. This way, their punishment actually makes them contribute to society instead of wasting away in prison.
However, there will be no need for black people to work on street corners because if drugs are legal, then black fathers will no longer be arrested for selling drugs, which means that they won't go to prison, which means they will be around to raise their kids. In addition to that, these communities would receive significant investment, including subsidies for new small businesses. There would be a federal jobs guarantee (like during FDR's era) so that anyone willing to work will be able to have a job that pays a living wage. And those that don't want to (or can't) work will have the Universal Basic Dividend to ensure a dignified standard of living for all. It won't be a life of luxury, but all your basic needs will be met, and you will be given everything you need to thrive and make your way in the world.
The UBD would be based on collective ownership of resources. This could start with oil but could expand. Theoretically, we could continue to move towards communism where part of the profits from every corporation would be paid into these social wealth funds, which would then pay out dividends to the citizens. This could start out as ~$2500 per month, but over time, as we socialize more resources, it could ultimately provide every citizen with a dividend of $5000 or more per month.
*continued...*
*Part 3*
My system is actually based on the Nordic model, while incorporating some elements from Chinese communism, but still maintaining the foundation of American values, traditions, and the Constitution. It is socialism with American characteristics. It builds on all the previous systems that came before it and incorporates what works while avoiding the pitfalls.
And lastly, you are correct when you say that some of our American traditions are incompatible with my system, although I don't think you fully understand why you are correct. Despite what has been taught to Americans, the United States is not a democracy. It is an anti-democracy. It was designed to prevent the people from having power. This is why only white land-owning men could even vote, and only for their representatives and the President. Even Senators were selected and not elected. America was founded as an anti-democratic oligarchy from the beginning, and that is why it's so difficult to have the system work for the people. It simply wasn't designed to serve the people.
So you may be asking how I square this with my socialism. The answer is you don't. I used to think that this system was something that we must defeat in order to usher in socialism. But I've realized that the fact that it is incompatible is not necessarily a negative aspect. It is actually a feature, not a bug.
One of the great things about our system is that there are checks and balances. The founders were very clever in this regard. They knew that most systems would turn authoritarian, so they created a system where it is very difficult to change anything. While this makes it more difficult for us to get to socialism, once we do get there, it will be this that prevents us from running into some of the problems that befell countries like China and the Soviet Union.
*continued...*
*Part 4*
Implementing socialism (with the goal of achieving communism) in a country that is designed to prevent that very thing from happening is exactly the kind of country that might succeed where others have failed. In this sense, my approach is Hegelian, utilizing dialectical relationships to achieve synthesis between seemingly contradictory ideologies: a thesis and anti-thesis which through a dialectical process leads to a synthesis. A socialism that emerges from this synthesis, I argue, will be precisely the kind of socialism that will succeed where others have failed.
*𝒻𝓲ภ *
"active and informed populace"
You'll have to fix the school system which keeps students dumb and bans books.
"Publicly financed elections"
No thanks. I prefer the French model which puts a stringent cap on how much can be spent. Political ads are illegal 4 months before an election, too. They're very rare. I just see interviews, debates, website and politicians handing out leaflets. Donations from companies and unions are illegal. And donor information is known.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/07/13/opinion-why-cant-we-limit-money-in-politics-like-the-french/
"Portugal...drugs"
Wrong. Drugs are still illegal and you can be arrested for drug trafficking if over a certain amount. Small amount is confiscated and a summons issued. Emphasis on treatment and anti-drug education. I prefer this model.
https://www.portugal.com/op-ed/portugal-drug-laws-under-decriminalization-are-drugs-legal-in-portugal/
"black people...street corners...drugs...black fathers..."
All of this is offensively racist, ignorant and stereotyped.
1. Whites do/sell as much drugs, if not more, than black people.
2. Blacks are disproportionately arrested and given harsher sentences than whites.
3. #2 was the goal of the "War on Drugs". It was a backlash to black empowerment from the 60s Civil Rights legislation. A felon loses equal rights. Great book:
"The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
https://newjimcrow.com/about
Racism, For-profit private prisons, lack of drug treatment options would need to be addressed.
"move towards communism"
Communism doesn't work which is the reason many countries abandoned it. Cubans have free housing, but their standard of living is extremely low and homes are dilipatated.
walking tour https://youtu.be/Mwddya2p61g
news show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua97-Uop5bk
"start out as ~$2500 per month"
There are 257,279,447 U.S. adults X $2500 = $643,198,617,500 billion each month. $7.7 trillion ea. yr.. That's not realistic nor practical. And it would cause hyperinflation destroying the middle-class.
Everyone should WORK for a living instead of receiving a free handout. I believe in fair wages and good benefits which makes more sense.
Nordic Model protects workers and consumers more than the U.S. model which is fine. But some of the U.S. model needs to stay in place since we're great at innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity.
"only white land-owning men could even vote, and only for their representatives and the President."
I disagree. The U.S. was a very LIMITED democracy for rich white males. Over time, who is included has become more inclusive. The danger is the Republican Party's attempt to make the U.S. less inclusive, again.
Excellent book details the attack from the rich on FDRs policies since the 1970s:
"Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America by Kurt Andersen"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_Geniuses:_The_Unmaking_of_America
"there are checks and balances"
They're broken.
"China and the Soviet Union"
Both abandoned communism because it doesn't work. I suggest you live in Cuba or Vietnam for a few months amongst regular folks to see how you enjoy it. I doubt if you will.
"active and informed populace"
You'll have to fix the school system which keeps students dumb and bans books.
"Publicly financed elections"...[The French model]...
"Portugal...drugs"...
"black people...street corners...drugs...black fathers..."
All of this is offensively racist, ignorant and stereotyped.
*Part 2*
"move towards communism"
There are 257,279,447 U.S. adults X $2500 = $643,198,617,500 billion each month. $7.7 trillion ea. yr.. That's not realistic nor practical. And it would cause hyperinflation destroying the middle-class.
*Part 3*
Everyone should WORK for a living instead of receiving a free handout. I believe in fair wages and good benefits which makes more sense.
I disagree. The U.S. was a very LIMITED democracy for rich white males. Over time, who is included has become more inclusive. The danger is the Republican Party's attempt to make the U.S. less inclusive, again.
I said something other than socialism lol.
This is just a pipe dream dude. People have feelings, desires, wants, greed...you cannot politick your way out of that. You would need a system like in Equilibrium. Everyone would need to routinely inject themselves with Xanax 4 times a day to stop feeling in order for any that to work.
________________________
Great minds discuss ideas.
Average minds discuss events.
Small minds discuss people.
Leftists always lie.
Wokeness is Weakness.
It's not a pipe dream. Although human nature may be immutable, it is possible to design a system that fosters our positive qualities while discouraging our negative ones. A system that prioritizes cooperation over cutthroat competition, incentivizing behaviors that benefit society as a whole. Now with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, we could be taking our first steps toward a post-scarcity society. In a post-scarcity economy, this system would transcend the traditional measure of wealth as the accumulation of material possessions. Instead, individuals would be valued based on their contributions to the greater good, with reputation serving as the new currency.
We can do this. We just need the will. We need people to open their minds and imagine something better than capitalism.
We did this before many times. We went from a barter society, to slavery, to feudalism, and to capitalism. Now capitalism is coming to an end. It's time to move beyond it and imagine something better.
post-scarcity society
Now capitalism is coming to an end.
You are a benighted dunce with no imagination.
Keep your head in the sand and continue simping for capitalism: a failed system that only benefits the oligarchy.
Keep sucking their dick as they extract your wealth, you fucking simp.
Bring back Monarchies, Feudalism and slavery and bust up countries into smaller Kingdoms. Go backwards when forward fails !
I don't believe this would actually work. My theory is that the economic system of a society depends on the size of its population. Feudalism was simply a stage in our economic development that was appropriate for a society of a certain size. It would not be feasible to manage a civilization such as ours, with its current population size, using a feudal system. Instead, the economic systems that would emerge at this stage of our evolution would be something like Neo-feudalism (or Techno-feudalism where you are a serf under corporate rule — this is what is happening now, as late stage capitalism collapses it devolves into Neo-feudalism) or a 21st century socialism/communism.
If my theory is correct, it would mean that if our population were to decrease, perhaps due to some catastrophic event, we would likely revert to a previous economic system.
It's failing by design, if you look up Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" manual. Communism is not the answer, by the way, nor is "democratic socialism," much as the Euros like to brag and lie to themselves about how great it is.
shareThe world is being run by maniacs to maniacal ends. - John Lennon
It's failing because it has internal contradictions that it cannot resolve. Its natural evolution is to go from a system that has a robust free market (where the government has little involvement), with lots of competition (leading to the generation of wealth and economic growth), to a system that, in its late stage, creates a crisis of monopoly capitalism ‒ destroying the free market, destroying competition, fusing with the government, and generating an absurd level of income inequality, which causes all sorts of social instability.
One of the many contradictions of capitalism is the tendency for overproduction. As capitalists pay workers less and less, while increasing productivity more and more, they're able to produce more goods using fewer workers for less cost. However, this just leads to a decrease in the rate of profit because now more goods are being produced than workers can afford to buy, leading to lots of unsold goods and a recession. So, in an effort to maintain profits, capitalists decrease production, which just leads to layoffs, further reducing workers' purchasing power, which means there are even fewer people who can buy their goods. This death spiral ultimately leads to a collapse of capitalism, as the system becomes increasingly unstable and unsustainable.
Yeah, capitalism isn't a perfect system. Nor is democracy or a constitutional republic. But the thing is, we've tried other forms of ruling countries, and the others didn't work out so well. So it's the least of many evils.
shareSo the answer is to learn from all of them. We should look at the different socialisms and capitalisms and other -isms and analyze their successes and failures. We should take everything that works and creates a society where everyone flourishes and we should discard the rest.
In my opinion, a libertarian socialist society with mixed markets would be the most successful system. At the very least we should try it. Everything else has failed, so why not give it a go.