I'm Starting To Like The Whackjob

[maxparrish]

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And that's bad because... why? Socialist countries are the happiest, most stable, and most prosperous nations in the world today.
Why Scandinavian countries are the happiest in the world - The Economic Times

Oh, and their economy? Here's how it's doing compared to the rest of the world:

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Sorry, you made huge error in logic. You claim that socialist countries are the happiest, most stable, and prosperous nations in the world today, and then cite an article on three scandinavian countries as proof. You do know that these three tiny scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) of 21 million people, are but a miniscule fraction of the world's socialist (I think you mean social-welfare state) countries ? Do think you even know what "socialist" means?

First, "socialist" usually means an economy where the means of production is owned by the State. Arguably, only Cuba, North Korea, and parts of Vietnam, Russia and China are still "socialist" (although Venezuela is arguably in that category).

Second, democratic socialism which desires political democracy alongside social ownership of the means of production is a dream. As of yet, no country has successfully implemented and kept both freedom and Democracy with a democratic socialist economy (e.g. the glaring failure of Venezuela).

Third, most advanced economies are actually mixed economies known as social welfare states - including that of the US. While not being different in kind, they only differ in degree. Europe, in particular, embraces social-welfarist ideology, not just the three Scandinavian countries.

Four, the Scandinavian countries are but 6 percent of the size of the US, and but a few percent of Europe's population. One could just as easily divide the US into 17 different population subsets and then cherry pick the comparison - say measuring the "happiness" of Los Angeles and its suburbs with the rest of the US. Do you really think that would measure anything of relevance - of course not.

Finally, these sorts of rankings are meaningless in regards to the amount of "socialism" vs. happiness. "Happiness" measures vary widely. Some don't actually measure individual happiness, but either measure social factors that OUGHT to provide happiness (e.g. universal medical care or GDP) OR they measure life satisfaction (as does the World Happiness Report). Yet, happiness and life satisfaction are also different concepts (the first is a state of emotional well being, the other a personal judgement). In other words, a person may be happy day-to-day BUT unsatisfied with their social-economic status.

In any event, the data also shows that the size of the welfare state is irrelevant to happiness. Canada is "happier" than "socialist" Sweden. The US is happier than "socialist" Germany. In fact the US is also happier than "socialist" Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and all of eastern Europe. (And happier than Japan). And, as your chart shows, the US is happier than the comparably sized OECD (and EU).

I suggest you read the World Happiness Report, and get a better understanding of the nature and roots of happiness. It has little to do with "socialist" (size of the welfare state economies.). It has a lot to do with demographics, mental health, extended family, culture, income envy, etc.

http://worldhappiness.report/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/03/HR17-Ch5_w-oAppendix.pdf

 

[TheHammer]

If your neighborhood condo association decides to put up a playground in the neighborhood using the association dues, that's socialism. Would you have a neighborhood never be able to do anything because it's socialism and total disregard for individualism/individual liberty?

That’s all fine and dandy for people who choose to live in dues paying condos

I have no problem with voluntary socialism and charities, I think they’re wonderful.

I oppose a federal government mandating social programs not authorized by the Constitution and are reserved to the States or the people.

So now every single scientific organization, association, and academy in the country, not to mention on the entire planet, is "ignorant masses"?

Who said that?

The drugs coming in from Mexico these days are designer drugs and very high tech. Why don't we just open them up to the free capitalist market based on supply and demand? They are certainly in high demand in Trump country. So we have the supply, and we have the demand. So what's holding things up, and why do you want to build a socialist wall that you are going to force US have to pay for to keep it out?

Why not indeed! Surely it would be better than the federal government making a tax free high profit market for criminal types and terrorist. Surely better than corrupting our police and politicians. Surely better than the violence in our streets caused by the Drug war. Certainly better than locking up more of our citizens than any other nation on earth for non-violent acts. It would be exactly what government did when they repealed prohibition of alcohol and delivered it to the private market supply and demand.

What convinces you I support a border wall? I think it’s a horrible waste of money.

And that's bad because... why? Socialist countries are the happiest, most stable, and most prosperous nations in the world today.

Is that what Venezuela and Cuba are?

Why Scandinavian countries are the happiest in the world - The Economic Times

Oh, and their economy? Here's how it's doing compared to the rest of the world:

Why shouldn’t Scandinavia be happy and even prosperous since the United States Of America supplies their National Defense and allows them to spend 30 % of their GDP on socialist programs?