Replies to post #10275 on General Stock Ideas

[XenaLives]

Here is the Mirriam-Webster Google definition of Socialism:

Full Definition of socialism

1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods

2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state

3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism

Senator Sanders has never proposed Socialism in this classic sense, never proposed state ownership of the means of production.

In 2006, Sanders himself defined what he meant by the term. He stated: “… I think it means the government has got to play a very important role in making sure that as a right of citizenship, all of our people have health care; that as a right, all of our kids, regardless of income, have quality child care, are able to go to college without going deeply into debt; that it means we do not allow large corporations and moneyed interests to destroy our environment; that we create a government in which it is not dominated by big money interest. I mean, to me, it means democracy, frankly.’’

https://berniesanders.com/democratic-socialism-in-the-united-states/

Sanders supporters are anything but naive. They've gone beyond sound byte politics and know what he stands for.

You say:

Trump on the other hand is crude, blustery, speaks without thinking through his verbiage, and can be immature in response to criticism. But he knows more about the private sector economy than the entire Democratic Party in Congress COMBINED.

The election is just another exploitable system to him, his policies will be as bankrupt as his business dealings, both morally and economically. He will provide a way for the powers that be to get an even stronger death grip on this country.

Government of the people,by the people and for the people does not need to be big government. It wouldn't be an overnight process, but Bernie's agenda would result in a weaker federal governments and stronger local governments, just as the founding fathers envisioned. Trump won't get the respect he needs to create these reforms... from anyone..

My ancestors arrived in Jamestown in the 1620's and in Orange County Carolina in the 1730's. The Ulster Scots came here for political and religious freedom and took the lead in fighting for independence from Britain. (See the Mecklenburg Resolves) One of my ancestors Major John Nelson led the Cavalry against the British in the South. Their Presbyterian heritage led them to favor strong local government, and they went to new territories because there were established religious-political power bases in many of the older colonies in the north.

Yes, I know where this country came from.

The Saudi agreements need to be dissolved, the Russian mob needs to be run out of the country, the subsidies to Israel need to stop and their spying and interference in our government needs to stop. I could go on an on about inappropriate influence from foreign government. It all needs to stop,but it's built into the current political system. Strengthening local government and making the Federal government more responsive to the people is the way to achieve these goals.

There was a 90% top income tax during the Eisenhower years, and the economy was booming. A combination of national sales tax and higher income taxes could be a solution but it is a very complex problem that will have to be approached incrementally, but it can only be achieved after the people regain control of the political process.

[XenaLives]

On further reflection - I asked myself what would be the first thing to do to give this country back to the people (no matter what their ethnic origin)?

I would like to see a law, perhaps it would have to be a Constitutional amemdment because Congress might never pass it; but I would make presenting a bill to Congress that was written wholly or in in part by a third party an impeachable offense. I would require a public record of elected official's meetings with lobbyists and any item in any bill presented to congress that was discussed with a lobbyist be footnoted and documented as to time, place, content, and whether that input was accepted, rejected, or modified by (God help us) original thought from the proposing congress person or staff.