Socialism - Countries that have tried it

[The4thEstate]

What I find interesting is that no one mentions that what is described as "communism" is in fact "state capitalism". When you work out what the difference is, then perhaps it is possible to talk, Sprint.

Well, the reason no one mentions it is because there's not much about communism that's capitalistic.

True capitalism produces excellence through competition, based on the natural human instinct to want to improve your own lot and that of your loved ones. But communism is monopolistic and bureaucratic, removing all hope or incentive of personal improvement through working harder/smarter.

Look what happened to the oil industry in Venezuela when it got nationalized and socialized: Oil production declined 50 percent.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/20 ... 6dffef4ecd

It would have been far better for the Venezuelan people to let international oil companies remain in charge -- yes, taking their profits, but in so doing, providing jobs and greater prosperity for Venezuelans. Driving out the oil companies didn't make the lives of everyday Venezuelans better -- only the lives of dictators like Hugo Chavez.

The beauty of capitalism is that unsuccessful business models don't last long -- whereas unsuccessful socialist governments cannibalize their countries' wealth.

[brian ross]

What I find interesting is that no one mentions that what is described as "communism" is in fact "state capitalism". When you work out what the difference is, then perhaps it is possible to talk, Sprint.

Well, the reason no one mentions it is because there's not much about communism that's capitalistic.

Doesn't look like you know the difference, 4E. Care to try again?

[The4thEstate]

What I find interesting is that no one mentions that what is described as "communism" is in fact "state capitalism". When you work out what the difference is, then perhaps it is possible to talk, Sprint.

Well, the reason no one mentions it is because there's not much about communism that's capitalistic.

Doesn't look like you know the difference, 4E. Care to try again?

No, actually I'm quite pleased with what I just wrote. If you think you've got some semblance of a counterargument, take your best shot.

Y'know, anyone can sit there and say, "That's not the right answer" without backing it up. But of course, we all know you're just bursting with devastating knowledge that will melt my arguments like a blowtorch on an ice cube tray, right? Don't let us down, Brian!

I'm expecting plenty of eye-roll icons to punctuate your advanced lesson in economic theory ... here, you can borrow some of my spares:

[brian ross]

Another epic fail from 4E it seems. Oh, dearie, dearie, me. Tsk, tsk.

[Bogan]

Another miserable reply, Brian. Try formulating a reasoned argument. Although with your peculiar logic you are in danger of having your reasoning picked apart to reveal that your arguments are just the standard parroting of the usual leftist slogans. .

[Neferti]

Another miserable reply, Brian. Try formulating a reasoned argument. Although with your peculiar logic you are in danger of having your reasoning picked apart to reveal that your arguments are just the standard parroting of the usual leftist slogans. .

Brian is too busy trying to remember how many Doctorates he has and when he was in the "military".

[sprintcyclist]

.............. As for health-care workers who remain, many moonlight to meet expenses.

Freddy Alaña, a 56-year-old doctor who leads the medical services unit for employees of the University of Zulia, says that even with a combination of public and private money, he earns only half of what he used to in his early years as a doctor around 1998 to 2000.
His two jobs in public institutions pay about $12 a month combined; he boosts his income with private consultations. ....................


................. Twin brothers Ivan and Jose López, are also juggling various jobs. They have been members of the nursing staff at the University Hospital of Maracaibo since 2017 but have not received a salary because they are also studying at the university to become specialists in intensive care.

The López brothers pay their bills by taking care of elderly patients at their homes. "It's been a daily struggle. That's a way for us to survive, economically speaking," Ivan declares. The twins plan to work for the hospital, where they'll each earn about $6 a month – the equivalent of what they make "on a single [8 or 12 hour] shift in private care," says Jose.

They have little time to rest, going from a hospital shift to a shift at a patient's home. Sometimes, they don't set foot in their own house for three to four days. .....................

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandso ... eyre-lucky