How come the U.S. Military isn't Socialism?

[Grandpappy]

I've never worn the uniform, but was a civilian employee of the United States Army for a time. It's definitely not socialistic. It's actually more of a dictatorship, as it has been since the beginning and needs to be to be effective.

 

[Grand Mal]

How come the evil socialist government-run security force known as the U.S. Military is somehow magically not Socialism?
It's government-run.
It's entirely controlled by one commander and chief who directs all of its decisions.
There's no private competition of any kind allowed in America.

Kinda seems like socialism to me.

I remember seeing John McCain in an interview saying that government-run medical coverage wasn't right for Americans. When the interviewer pointed out that he had been on government health insurance all his life, he played the POW card, saying a different government had looked after his health for a couple years and they hadn't done a very good job of it.

 

[noonereal]

Every member of the military signs a contract to exchange their expertise and life if needed for a agreed upon time limit in exchange for pay and certain privilege's.

The military is funded through a form of socialism, but saying that it's members are socialistic dependent is just freaking stupid.

You you spend a career in the military you spent a lifetime in socialism. This is just a fact.

Trust me, I get it, how bad most military socialists don't want to be know as dependent but they are. They have never spent a day in the real world till they retire MUCH TO YOUNG (only socialism allows for this) then they receive a socialist pension and believed THEYT have "earned" it. It's an entire mind**** they put themselves through to denounce the obvious.

 

[mrjurrs]

Aneurin Bevan and the Socialist Ideal

<p>Aneurin Bevan was the leading postwar representative in Britain of the socialist ideal. He is best remembered for the creation of the National Health Service which he regarded as a symbol of applied socialism, a national service free at the point of use and available to all. But, even before...

www.gresham.ac.uk

Clement Attlee | Biography, Accomplishments, & Welfare State

Clement Attlee, British Labour Party leader (1935–55) and prime minister (1945–51). He presided over the establishment of the welfare state in Great Britain and the granting of independence to India, the most important step in the conversion of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Nations.

www.britannica.com

Sorry, a bit long for my free time right now. Any highlights in particular?

 

[Grandpappy]

Some here apparently have never been yelled at by a baboon like motor pool Sergeant. Or worse yet, been shot at by an enemy. Don't earn the retirement? They earn every penny.

 

[Felis Leo]

I have never seen anyone on either side call socialism "flowers and bunnies."

Maybe you are not rational on this subject which is what causes you to say such a silly thing?

Maybe not, noonereal. But I would submit, no less so than one who seriously claims that a military (particularly the United States military) represents some insanitation of socialism.

Perhaps if you were talking about the Egyptian military which itself owns large sectors of the Egyptian economy, I might be more inclined to agree.

 

[Jetboogieman]

Cause it makes big splosions.

And American Conservatives love displays of strength, rather than strength itself, which is alien to them.

Socialism to most American Conservatives simply = things they don't like.

90% Of them I speak to have no clue what they are talking about.

 

[dairyair]

How come the evil socialist government-run security force known as the U.S. Military is somehow magically not Socialism?
It's government-run.
It's entirely controlled by one commander and chief who directs all of its decisions.
There's no private competition of any kind allowed in America.

Kinda seems like socialism to me.

it's about as socialist as something can be. I figured that out in basic training.

 

[noonereal]

Maybe not, noonereal. But I would submit, no less so than one who seriously claims that a military (particularly the United States military) represents some insanitation of socialism.

Perhaps if you were talking about the Egyptian military which itself owns large sectors of the Egyptian economy, I might be more inclined to agree.

Trust me, I "get" how much you guys don't want to be identified as socialists but facts are facts. You get clothes, food, shelter, money... when you have a kid your benefit goes up! WTF is that if not socialism. And how about the INSANELY costly and wholly unwarranted benefits?

I'd scarp teh entire system and start anew... I'd make 2 years service mandatory for all Americans. Period.

 

[LouC]

I know, even I will be upset when Hunter gets elected as President over Trump, they'll have to powder Trump's butt, change his soiled diaper and send him on his way..."SAD"

Maybe someone can award him a Baby Nobel Peace Prize to sooth his widdle hurt feelings?

 

[Waddy]

Capitalism is the greatest economic system ever in the history of man. It most closely relates to man's natural instincts, and allows them free expression. Capitalism values greed, it values selfishness, it values competition, it values creativity. All good things when directed properly within limits. Capitalism has pulled more people out of poverty than all other systems combined. But pure Capitalism can be harsh. There will be winners and losers. There will be wealth inequality. And that's why Capitalism is a good match for democracy. The job of democracy is too regulate Capitalism and provide a social safety net. That social safety net can accurately be called Socialism, because people who did not earn it will get money from people who did earn it.
What we usually argue about is how much regulation is good before it starts to damage Capitalism, and how much of a social safety net is adequate for the needs of the losers. Those discussions can be heated. And so, Capitalism needs a little Socialism in order to avoid self-destruction.
But make no mistake, Capitalism is what we have, and hopefully, what we will always have. We can always argue over how much Socialism we need to go with it.

 

[Vadinho]

How come the evil socialist government-run security force known as the U.S. Military is somehow magically not Socialism?
It's government-run.
It's entirely controlled by one commander and chief who directs all of its decisions.
There's no private competition of any kind allowed in America.

Kinda seems like socialism to me.

The term socialism means nothing to right wingers, it is just an insult. I get called a communist all the time. My career and job is sales. How can a sales manager in a capitalist economy that has been in sales for 30 years be a communist? Hell if I know.

 

[MrWonka]

I've never worn the uniform, but was a civilian employee of the United States Army for a time. It's definitely not socialistic. It's actually more of a dictatorship, as it has been since the beginning and needs to be to be effective.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaah!!!!!

Top-down decision making, with not questioning the supreme leader!!! What the **** do you think Socialism is?

 

[RetiredUSN]

You you spend a career in the military you spent a lifetime in socialism. This is just a fact.

Trust me, I get it, how bad most military socialists don't want to be know as dependent but they are. They have never spent a day in the real world till they retire MUCH TO YOUNG (only socialism allows for this) then they receive a socialist pension and believed THEYT have "earned" it. It's an entire mind**** they put themselves through to denounce the obvious.

Why don't you complain to your government about your concerns of our military personnel retiring too early.

Now you are saying that military retirees haven't earned their pensions? Have you ever done 5-6 tours in the sand box, or 16 years at sea?

Most of the military people I know had 2-3 different jobs before they joined, so where do you get off with this "real world" crap?

How many 18-19 year old liberals get to see some young girl all blown to shit because ISIS didn't like her village? That's real world to me.

 

[noonereal]

Why don't you complain to your government about your concerns of our military personnel retiring too early.

Now you are saying that military retirees haven't earned their pensions? Have you ever done 5-6 tours in the sand box, or 16 years at sea?

Most of the military people I know had 2-3 different jobs before they joined, so where do you get off with this "real world" crap?

How many 18-19 year old liberals get to see some young girl all blown to shit because ISIS didn't like her village? That's real world to me.

Dude, you live the life of a socialist but want it for no one else.
FYI, EVERYONE I even knew that joined military was because they failed outside of the militaries socialistic world first just like you said. They could not hold a job, had 2-3 jobs like you said.
or, needed to escape jail

We need to clean that up, everyone should serve

and yeah, I am way against the Cadillac benefits you receive. You sure as shit did not "earn" them.

 

[Luther]

How come the evil socialist government-run security force known as the U.S. Military is somehow magically not Socialism?
It's government-run.
It's entirely controlled by one commander and chief who directs all of its decisions.
There's no private competition of any kind allowed in America.

Kinda seems like socialism to me.

Aren't we always hearing from the left the correct definition of socialism?(LOL)

a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

 

[Luther]

How come the evil socialist government-run security force known as the U.S. Military is somehow magically not Socialism?
It's government-run.
It's entirely controlled by one commander and chief who directs all of its decisions.
There's no private competition of any kind allowed in America.

Kinda seems like socialism to me.

Could we be a socialist country just because we pay politicians as well?(LOL)

 

[Luther]

Hello!!!!!!!!!!! Of course the military is socialism. I have spoken to this for years here.

But the left has always said this when the right brings up socialism?


a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

 

[Highlanders]

Sorry, a bit long for my free time right now. Any highlights in particular?

Two absolutely amazing men, both humanists, both staunch labour men, and the rich detested them! Why because the cake was shared, everyone could live in harmony, with enough to eat, a roof over there head, and heat!
Prior to WW2 none of the above was available to the majority. Prior to WW1 people starved, exactly what we are going back to, with English darling, but American, Boris the gutter snipe!
Gateskil was murdered before he could become prime minister, I think he was the man they were most frightened of at that time!

 

[Highlanders]

The problem with your premise is that it never stops. 2%for the poor hungry chirruns. 6% for the roads. 7% for free education from cradle to grave. 26% for 'free' healthcare. 4% for fire dept. 3% for police and ambulance services. 3% for prison care. 8% for prison after care programs. 11% for housing. Now we are up to 60% taxation...but hey...you can still keep $16,000 to pay for your home, your car, your insurance, your own food, your clothes, etc.

Or...wait...we can just not work, go on the government dole, and dump all the costs for our existence onto future generations.

Hang on, why do you give an opt out for those not paying tax now?
It's the same here, Businesses makes profits..... but everything here allows businesses, corporate companies to totally avoid tax! Vodaphone never paid any tax in eleven years. The inspectors of revenues was sacked by a select committee for allowing a solicitor to negotiate on the governments behalf and they paid £11 million instead of £32 billion! The system us corrupt but simple to remedy! Profits come from doing business, we spend our money, and stable government give a stable society so businesses can sell, but as well have an obligation to live by rules, so do businesses, they can easily do off out the market and those willing to okay there just dues, do so, or out on there necks! American businesses do not pay tax in the U.K.! In fact, costa coffee offered to pay ten millions of pounds to the government because the cafe next door had to pay tax, but costa didn't! It's head office was in the Caiman islands .... as are all the rest!
And you never answered my question, please do so! About dogs and children....!

 

[Highlanders]

But the left has always said this when the right brings up socialism?


a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

Why then is the military being used to protect those stealing oil and gas from Iraq and Syria?
That's right wing greed for sure!

 

[mrjurrs]

Two absolutely amazing men, both humanists, both staunch labour men, and the rich detested them! Why because the cake was shared, everyone could live in harmony, with enough to eat, a roof over there head, and heat!
Prior to WW2 none of the above was available to the majority. Prior to WW1 people starved, exactly what we are going back to, with English darling, but American, Boris the gutter snipe!
Gateskil was murdered before he could become prime minister, I think he was the man they were most frightened of at that time!

Thanks, the weekends coming up and I printed both articles, I look forward to more knowledge. Take care.

 

[AConcernedCitizen]

Why is "Because the military doesn't abolish private ownership of the means of production" not an option?

 

[AConcernedCitizen]

But the left has always said this when the right brings up socialism?


a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

Your trouble is that you think that the left is a monolith. The 'left' that always makes a distinction between 'the existence of government entities' and 'Socialism' is composed of those of us who have read Marx, Locke, Rothbard, and Keynes.

There are plenty of others on the left who buy into this equivocation between 'social programs' like Universal Healthcare, and 'Socialism' in the Marxist sense. I can only imagine that it is because they haven't read anything Marx ever wrote. I appreciate your efforts to help us educate them on the difference though.

 

[AConcernedCitizen]

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaah!!!!!

Top-down decision making, with not questioning the supreme leader!!! What the **** do you think Socialism is?

That would be "the abolition of private ownership of the means of production."