Aspies For Freedom

The major problem being that people are selfish...

I wouldn't categorize my political ideology as socialist... but I do agree with some socialist ideals...

I do think a strong central government is helpful, as long as they aren't dictating morals...I do believe that gov't programs can shape the country for the better...  the problem is the connotation that comes with the word "socialist", especially in the US... people here think communism is the same, then the association is made with the Soviet Union, and China, you can see where it goes from there...inane stereotyping...


I also advocate a strong sense of libertarianism in how our gov't deals with issues of gender, race, preference, religion, etc... the gov't should not make laws that dictate morality... all people deserve to be treated equal... people have the right to decide what is best for themselves... internationally, we need to be humane, but not builders of nations...

I come down somewhat conservative(historical sense) on the idea of fiscal contraint, we should not spend more than we take in... a flat graduated taxation system...

So I would call myself pragmatic... maybe a social liberal... or a fiscal conservative... if someone has one of those parties, I will join.. I suppose I am an independent...

I am a socialist

Are we talking socialism in a political or economic sense here?

I am a democratic nationalist, with a radical viewpoint on socialism.

I believe that socialist enthusiasts should be given interest-free loans by to set up collectives, co-ops and communes, and that workers should be able to get assistance from local authorities to form co-operatives, or to create worker shareholder schemes, if they choose to.

Apart from that everything should be run on a free market system, apart from perhaps public utlities which could be publicly owned according to the situation.

I am a member of the BNP (British National Party, http://www.bnp.org.uk)

This explains the model which the BNP favours:

http://www.bnp.org.uk/articles/worker_ownership.html

I think that it is a little bit more realistic than socialism.

What do the socialists think of this idea?

Thanks,

Sat.

I am interested in socialism (and my bf is a huge fan of Tony Benn!)

I do not think that we can challenge the free market by opting out of it and devolving on a national scale.

I think that these methods can work within a capitalist system to promote a more equal society.

Co-operative home-schooling

Credit Unions

Local Exchange Trading Schemes (currency free)

Local Buying Co-operatives

Co-operatives

Co-housing schemes


Saint is talking about what Thatcher did when she 'privatised' our national assets. They were sold to friends of the Conservative Party, but clauses were put in so that the tax payer would still have to bail them out when they failed.

British Rail could not really have been run as a workers' co-operative. However, I could perhaps envisage a mixture of public ownership, with workers' holding a stake in the company.

I am a staunch supporter of North Korea.

KIM IL SUNG FOREVER ! ! !

Heh, he doesn't know.

None of them do.

I do wonder why we must keep argueing like children about the mistakes of the past ;p

Of course we can, the last thing we need is the teachings of Marx to become mainstream again.

That would scupper me good and proper ;] I would be, in a word, buggered.

I don't have a political mind - but I can reason right from wrong. The ideals of socialism came about at a time in world history where there were huge disparities between rich and poor people. Change needed to happen and with the ideals that were promoted we have seen change. Our government whilst wanting to promote freedom and competition - also maintains caring and supportive policies based on co-operation rather than straight out competition. Balance is good. Although I admire the ideals of socialism, the competitiveness inherent in human nature gets in the way.

ummmmmm - sometimes telling right from wrong is reasonably straight forward- (I think).  Making moral cases can be extremely difficult - A lot of it comes down to careful weighing up of ethics - based on moral norms and personal values.
Good point Simen - maybe I was oversimplying.

Sounds more libertarian to me, which is arguably one of the best systems out there.

Well, until I get my dynastic, totalitarian, hegemonic style of Business going.

Whoops.