Forget the (R) and (D), right, left, etc; would you rather: be left alone, or be bossed around?

2016-05-11T11:00:31-04:00

This is purely about your preference. I'm not trying to be political, necessarily, I'm purely trying to understand the Socialist mindset and ideology. So, you will likely see other questions like this from me, because I'm trying to understand both sides of the issues.

Thank you in advance for your responses!

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 11 at 2016 11:06 AM

2016-05-11T11:06:33-04:00

Top simplistic. If you are looking for pros and cons of Socialism, that should be the question. Your two choices are not actually two choices. Everyone will take be left alone, unless they are masochists.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 11 at 2016 11:23 AM

2016-05-11T11:23:39-04:00

There are pros and cons of both ends. I am not a socialist, but there are social programs that I don't necessarily support, but the US is a nation may not be able to survive without if not there. I myself am a moderate/centrist. I look at logical/ethical ends to an argument as there are truths to both right and left.

Response by COL Ted Mc made May 11 at 2016 11:40 AM

2016-05-11T11:40:31-04:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member - Sergeant; Regardless of "Socialist" or "non-Socialist" I'd rather be left alone.

In fact, a good estimate would be that around 90% of the world's population simply wouldn't care WHAT form of government they had or WHO the people running the government were or HOW those people came to be running the government PROVIDED that "the government stays off my back and lets me get on with my life".

Where did you ever get the idea that ONLY "Socialist" governments bossed people around?

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made May 11 at 2016 11:52 AM

2016-05-11T11:52:11-04:00

If you want to understand the "socialist ideology", you first need to understand socialism. Socialism is first, and foremost, an economic model, not a political one. Socialism does not seek to tell people how to live, but it does strive to ensure that everyone has the means to live how they want.

If you really are interested in understanding Democratic Socialism, assuming that Sen. Sanders is the reason you are asking this question, then I strongly suggest you lose the preconceived notion that a socialist government is a totalitarian government, and do some reading. Maybe listen to Sen. Sanders give a speech. I think you will find it eye opening.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made May 11 at 2016 11:54 AM

2016-05-11T11:54:52-04:00

Leave me alone. Let me pursue my own life (my own happiness). Individual liberty, and the responsibility that goes along with it, are what I desire.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 11 at 2016 12:05 PM

2016-05-11T12:05:35-04:00

I would rather be left alone. I don't need the government telling me what light bulbs I must buy, how big a soft drink I may purchase, or who may go into which bathroom, locker room, or showers. Or what medical insurance I must buy.

The government’s function is to provide for the national defense, infrastructure, law enforcement, and then they should get out of the way to the greatest extent possible.

Under our Constitution the people control the government – not the other way around.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 12:14 PM

2016-05-11T12:14:59-04:00

I'm not a fan of being controlled by other people...but then again, I don't wish to be an island. I'd like to think that at some level, people can work together for the common good without getting too closely involved in their peers "private lives"...Trouble is, there's just too much d@^n money to be made from checking what's in my closet.

Response by SSG Dennis Grossmann made May 11 at 2016 12:45 PM

2016-05-11T12:45:26-04:00

Leave me alone. Get off my lawn. I don't need no government to come tell me how to live. Ummm yes officer, that's strictly for personal recreational use. What do you mean a trash bag full is too much?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 11 at 2016 2:04 PM

2016-05-11T14:04:12-04:00

Socialism isn't about being left alone or being bossed around. Socialism is founded in the economic theory that the means of production properly belong in the hands of the community as represented by the government. That individual ownership (private property) is wrong, maybe even evil. Sadly, almost every incidence of socialism has led to tyranny. Those cases that have not led to tyranny simply haven't been around long enough yet to reach their logical conclusion (but are most likely headed there).

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 11 at 2016 2:23 PM

2016-05-11T14:23:36-04:00

Once again. All forms of Government are Socialist and involve some degree of Taxation. The Opposite of Socialism is Anarchy, No Government at all. Now if you want to see how that works out look no further than places like Somalia. No Thank You, I Prefer for my Garbage to be picked up and my Roads to be Maintained. I believe in a Social Duty to our Veterans to Pay Them and if necessary help take care of them when the come home maimed and injured. I do not believe that Monetary Might Makes Right. I don't believe that because you are Rich that you can dictate to me. I don't believe Inherited Wealth makes you better than me. I was a Reagan Era Compassionate Conservative but with the steady march further and further Right by the Right Wing in this Country by today's standards I am a Liberal Lefty.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made May 11 at 2016 3:33 PM

2016-05-11T15:33:12-04:00

Left alone, obviously. See the dots?

Seriously, though - you seem to have very little idea of what socialism involves. Take this question, for example. If I wanted to use a capitalist example, I'd interpret this as "would you rather be an employer or an employee?" (Although even employers tend to get bossed around - see "customers" and "stockholders").

Maybe "retired" vs "employed"...or "single" vs "married".

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 4:35 PM

2016-05-11T16:35:18-04:00

100% leave me alone Libertarian!

Response by SSG(P) Ell Pizarek made May 11 at 2016 5:22 PM

2016-05-11T17:22:30-04:00

Let me give you a couple of quotes and you can guess who said them if you want, they were both from Democrats. "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country", some time later "Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country can do for you". The problem with the last statement is that someone has to pay for it. The more and more folks that lose the incentive to work and climb the ladder of success, will only expand what the government and those that are working will have to pay. There will be no end. Don't get me wrong, I am a compassionate person who contributes a good amount to charity each year, but that you would end with increased taxes. Further, if we can't support that Americans that truly need assistance, then we shouldn't be opening the flood gates and giving free assistance to everyone who crosses our boarders while our citizens suffer without.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 11 at 2016 6:40 PM

2016-05-11T18:40:49-04:00

I want to be left alone to make personal decisions and be responsible for the consequences. Having the Government attempt to regulate every aspect of your personal and public life is applicable to any political system that wants to control, rather than liberate, its population. Over regulation and control of the population works for monarchies, dictatorships, communists, socialists, and of course our own progressives. Their goal is to have the people behave only in the central-government-approved way. That's why they try to destroy freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, owning fire arms, and the power of the state and local governments.

Response by PVT John Williams made May 12 at 2016 12:12 AM

2016-05-12T00:12:48-04:00

Left alone