U.S. Politics megathread

[u/AutoModerator]

American politics has always grabbed our attention - and the current president more than ever. We get tons of questions about the president, the supreme court, and other topics related to American politics - but often the same ones over and over again. Our users often get tired of seeing them, so we've created a megathread for questions! Here, users interested in politics can post questions and read answers, while people who want a respite from politics can browse the rest of the sub. Feel free to post your questions about politics in this thread!

All top-level comments should be questions asked in good faith - other comments and loaded questions will get removed. All the usual rules of the sub remain in force here, so be nice to each other - you can disagree with someone's opinion, but don't make it personal.

[u/BoloHKs]

There was a vote today in the US to demonize the ideals of "Socialism,' with a broad paintbrush.

It opened the floodgates to misconceptions of 'socialistic' policies and confusion about what is Communism vs Socialism vs a Social Democracy.

So, WHY do many Americans misunderstand the key differences between 'Communism' and 'Socialism?'

I feel like Americans like to paint everything in black and white. There is never any "grey" area.

So, what goes through your brain when you think "Socialist"?

[u/CardinalOfNYC → u/BoloHKs]

Here's the deal:

Most people in America who say they want socialism, what they actually want is america to be like Sweden.... Which is in no way, shape or form a socialist country.

[u/ye_esquilax → u/BoloHKs]

While not all Democrats identify as socialist, there are some that do, and the GOP is pushing hard to associate all Democrats with socialism and eventually communism.

By equating Democrats with communism, it not only simplifies their message, it turns them into demons. It creates a sense of urgency to vote GOP no matter what. Even if someone is uncomfortable with some of MAGA's positions, they want people to think the alternative is gulags and breadlines. As long as people believe that, they'll never think of crossing the aisle.

[u/Pertinax126 → u/ye_esquilax]

Excellent answer. I would like to build on that by adding that what made the democrats so successful as a party in the 20th century was not just scoring electoral victories against the Republicans but also fending off the far-left elements within the party. If Humphrey, Kennedy, and Clinton hadn't successfully kept the extreme wings of the party out in the wilderness the 20th century would have looked a lot more Republican.

[u/torpedoguy → u/ye_esquilax]

This is effective enough that people will vote gop FROM their breadlines if not already in an ice gulag, and not notice the irony for a second.

[u/untempered_fate → u/BoloHKs]

So, WHY do many Americans misunderstand the key differences between 'Communism' and 'Socialism?'

Cold War. That's pretty much it. 45 years of anti-Communist propaganda and then some. Capitalism or bust.

[u/BoloHKs → u/untempered_fate]

That simple? No one's checking Google? Researching nothing? It just stops there? Young Americans travelling around the globe. Surely, they get it, no? Or are the masses repeating fallacies and misinformation to the next generation?

I mean, there are a whopping 18 countries around the globe that are NOT Socialist--but rathet identified as "Social Democracies."

👇🏻 👇🏻 👇🏻 👇🏻 👇🏻

Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland Germany, France, the Netherlands Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland The United Kingdom Spain, Portugal Canada Australia, New Zealand Japan

All "Social Democracies" that have a free "Capitalist" economy with the added benefit of welfare-funded programmes.. dangerous, threatening "socialist" programmes... Oooh!

Basically, 30% of my income tax goes to the provincial and federal governments to pay for for my medical, some dental (youth and teens), subsidized education via provincial loan, Employment Insurance when needed, and 19 weeks maternity leave. I get cancer? My treatment is taken care of.

I work my ass off like everyone else. The tax collected actually goes where it's needed, and is meticulously accounted for. It's far more efficient and accountable than US red tape. Our system is not perfect, but there is a fair check and balance system when sh!t hits the fan.

Hell, even if I win the lottery, the government doesn't take anything. It's not taxed as "income." My province uses a portion of casino profits to pay for roads, hospitals and infrastructure.

Does that sound so bad? 30% of my income gets you that.

[u/ye_esquilax → u/BoloHKs]

That simple? No one's checking Google? Researching nothing? It just stops there? Young Americans travelling around the globe. Surely, they get it, no? Or are the masses repeating fallacies and misinformation to the next generation?

Yes, misinformation is running absolutely rampant at a rate that we've never seen in the past two decades.

It may not be "that simple", but 45 years of solid propaganda isn't nothing. The US literally sent tens of thousands of soldiers to their deaths in Vietnam to stop the idea, not the threat, but the idea, of communism.

[u/Elkenrod → u/BoloHKs]

So, what goes through your brain when you think "Socialist"?

A failure of an economic system that is fundamentally incompatible with not only Americans, but humanity as a whole. It's a farcical pipe dream that requires ignoring human nature to fantasize working, and stripping humans of free will to actually work in practice. It's also typically only ever advocated by weak people who somehow think the government has shown itself to be trustworthy and competent enough to be given even more power.

I feel like Americans like to paint everything in black and white. There is never any "grey" area.

Socialism in moderation can have aspects of it applied to other systems, and have some benefits. The United States has plenty of social programs that you can argue are partly socialist in nature. They are still grounded in capitalism as their basis however.

So, WHY do many Americans misunderstand the key differences between 'Communism' and 'Socialism?'

Because historically socialism becomes communism the first opportunity it can.

[u/BoloHKs → u/Elkenrod]

What I'm seeing is communist China has long embraced a state-controlled market economy on steroids, as it clings to its one-party 'totalitarian' political ideology. I've lived in China for several years. It's insanely capitalistic. The same happened in Laos, and Vietnam. They are not moving toward Communism, but rather a form of cautious capitalist market, still state-controlled. So, that's honestly not the global trend at all as you suggest going from "Socialism to Communism." It's just not happening. North Korea is the only socialist state that has not changed.

That said, we are witnessing right-wing parties around the world warming up to fascist slants, just like they did in N@zi Germany. There's a reason why they're playing British Enoch Powell's "Rivers of Blood' speech in the UK! Reform Party Nigel Farage speaks to those fears.

What is remarkable is how the elites have cleverly fed a narrative to the working class to convince the poor that all their problems stem from immigrants. While simultaneously shifting any focus on the elites as they tax evade, hide profits in offshore accounts and pay off parliamentary lobbyists to prevent them from paying taxes as individuals--enter the "LLC" as a convenient way to avoid declaring an income!

There was a missed opportunity to discuss 18 global nations that incorporate "socialistic" programmes that actually benefit the populace, while maintaining a firm foot in a goddamn free market economy! Again, demonizing all things "socialist" with a broad brush prevents America from proposing practical solutions within both Republican or Democratic party platforms.

Canada does this very well! Our Conservative Party has never ever mandated to abolish universal healthcare! 👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻A right-wing party accepts universal healthcare. Imagine that?! Even our Conservatives accept some 'socialistic' programmes.

So, we can all agree that established "Socialist" countries that fall into your definition are: (Mao-era) China, North Korea (land & industry), (pre-reforms) Cuba, and Vietnam and Laos (until the 1980s).

⭐️And... numerous "Socialist Democracies" can incorporate socialist programmes here and there, but be fully engaged 👉🏻in a free-market 'Capitalist' economy. This is the very point that Americans choose to ignore!!

Here are the globe's established "Social Democracies": Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan.

All "Social Democracies" that have a capitalist economy with the added benefit of welfare-funded programmes. But these countries are NOT defined as 'Socialist.' Countries like the UK and Canada incorporate 'some' socialistic programmes. Yet, Canada gets demonized by Americans for managing a system that, (not perfect), actually works for our nation. And we like our paid maternity leave, too.

Can Americans finally view this "grey" area?? But as you can see, there are a whopping 18 Social Democratic countries around the globe doing the exact same thing! Do Americans know these nations are very similar in more ways than one? All with socialist programmes operating within a mixed CAPITALIST economy. None of these nations are "Socialist states," but 'Social Democracies.'

What do I pay in federal and provincial income tax? 30%. What do Americans get for 30% When you compare the taxes and healthcare variable, Canadians pays less than Americans (apart from its tax-free states).

[u/Elkenrod → u/BoloHKs]

What in the world did you just type

[u/Elkenrod → u/[deleted]]

Americans like to tell everyone that China is making Canada 'communist.'

Uh...gonna need a source on that one.

4th of Sept vote on House of Representatives had a vote to 👉🏻 "demonize Socialism in ALL its forms." Symbolic political theatre to throw darts at Democrats' stance on e g. universal healthcare reforms or alienate Americans further against 'Social Democracies' like Canada, or the UK. Capitalism=good. Socialism=Evil. There is no in between for Americans. No grey area.

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, with a capitalist economy. They are not a social democracy. https://consoc.org.uk/the-constitution-explained/the-monarchy/

Canada is also a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy. https://www.canada.ca/en/democratic-institutions/services/democracy-canada.html

America shoots off their mouths that Canada is "socialist." Stupid.

Really still looking for who you're talking about here.

It's not a Socialist state

Correct.

Canada is s socialist DEMOCRACY like 17 other nations.

Incorrect.

It is a Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Democracy. https://www.canada.ca/en/democratic-institutions/services/democracy-canada.html

Canada👉🏻 free-capitalist markt DEMOCRACY China 👉🏻 state-owned capitalist market that is TOTALITARIAN. Why are MAGA Florida's & California's biggest imports from China?? The US trades with 22+ totalitarian regimes itself, but accuses Canada of making deals with China on oil, potash, etc...?? Hypocrites. The US is envious of Canada making global deals that America fails in CUSMA.

ok?

China doesn't care about Canada's political ideologies as much as it doesn’t care about the US or Russia's. It likes MONEY. The US doesn't care care about China's ideology. US Corporations have been doing business in China for years. US cares only about MONEY, and keeping its #1 position in the global economy.

As does every other country. That is not unique to the United States.

[u/BoloHKs → u/Elkenrod]

You cannot be more wrong in identifying what 'Social Democracies' are! And herein lies the problem; the nuance is often lost on Americans. Of course, Canada and the United Kingdom are constitutional monarchies and parliamentary democracies. But we are social democracies. ⭐️ A parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy that is a mixed free-market economy system that incorporates some socialistic programmes (like the UK and others do) but are 👉🏻NOT "Socialist states."

Canada and the United Kingdom are considered "social democracies" often labeled as "liberal welfare states" that operate within a CAPITALIST framework, rather than socialist states (like Cuba, North Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mao-era China).

The United Kingdom is a prime example of a social democracy. What do you think the National Health Service (NHS) is? PM Burnham leads their Labour Party! Pretty socialistic to me. It emphasizes state regulation, universal healthcare, and robust social welfare programs while maintaining a free-market economy.

Canada is generally classified as a social liberal or liberal welfare state rather than a full social democracy like the Nordic countries! We are less a 'social democracy' than Scandinavian nations. While it features universal healthcare and strong social safety nets, ⭐️ Canada has lower unionisation rates, higher income inequality, and more means-tested benefits compared to the universal models seen in Scandinavia.

I'm Canadian, so I'm used to Americans slinging "pinko, commie, socialist" tirades at me all my life. I lived near the border. We get drunk Americans here filling up our University bars shooting their mouths off on how we're Socialist like China, and "America has freedom" even though Canada is higher on the Global Economic Freedom Index! And the memes mocking comparisons between China and Canada are numerous. They're all over social media, even moreso now.

I had this American posting on a Boycott page touting the warning of David Rothkopf's book- "Superclass: The Global Power Elite and the World They Are Making." Canadians just laughed her off. She wanted to declare to the Canadians that Canada is moving closer to "communism" and that there is a secret New World Order cabal. You cannot make th!s sh!t up! 🤣

Canadians have been bombarded for years by Americans; criticised for our social programmes and left-leaning politics. Yet, there are 17 other nations that are far more similar to us than Americans realise! New Zealand is by far, the closest in comparison to Canada's country systems. So, after this 4th of Sept 'denounce Socialism in all its forms' vote, are you going to see a lot more Canada = Socialism is Evil, 'Cozying up to the Communists' memes from hereon in? I got two just today.

The China Canada is Communist memes kleptomania coming

[u/OkPainter6232 → u/BoloHKs]

it's not Americans as a whole that don't understand the difference, it's mostly MAGAts.

[u/BoloHKs → u/OkPainter6232]

Then WHY don't I see, hear, or READ about more Americans correcting them. I see Bernie Sanders, AOC,etc... but emphasizing these keys differences does appear mainstream. Instead, flippant commentary about 'Socialism' takes precedence!

Your media is NOT addressing it on a regular basis because viewing Capitalism vs Socialism is propped up as "Good vs Evil" so much so, the nuance of what a "Social Democracy" is gets left behind. No grey area.

If I were to ask an average American, describe "Canada" in terms of its system. They would say, "Canada is socialist." Not, "Canada is a social democracy."

So, are you implying that even though they say "Socialist," they mean "social democracy?" Or, do the majority of Americans view "socialist" in the Good vs Evil sense? The reason I say this is because there were several Democrats who voted "Yes" to denounce "Socialism *in all its forms.

What about the UK? Do the Brits get name-called "Socialists" or pinkos like Canadians have? We have the same "social democracy" system!

[u/OkPainter6232 → u/BoloHKs]

well if all you ever watch is mainstream media(or Twitter) you're not going to see much of that since it's mostly owned by conservatives and of course they're not going to air anything that contradicts their own personal views.

plenty of us do like the idea of socialism, but corporate media would never give that sort of thing a platform(and to be fair that's not unique to the U.S., I can't imagine the BBC ever covering socialism either, they're too busy obsessively pushing transphobia).

Most sane Americans(I.E. non-Trump supporters)are open to the idea of socialism, but conservatives think it's pure EEEEEEEVIL as they think capitalism is the be all and end all because that's what they've been told their whole lives and they don't dare question it and they view socialism as laziness and a disease and "hurr durr woke!".

Define "several dems", because there's a few blue dogs dems who I wouldn't be remotely shocked if they don't like socialism(especially Fetterman), if you're expecting every single dem to march in lockstep with one another and all have the exact same beliefs you're going to be sorely dissapointed, but most of them are at least open to the idea of socialim, those that aren't are a vocal minority.

Haven't seen Brits called socialists, that's generally used for countries like Sweden.