In my last post, rumours of Socialism’s death were greatly exaggerated.
At age 215, Socialism had its neck on the chopping block at the recent NDP convention in Vancouver when a last minute reprieve spared it.
The fate of Socialism was referred to the NDP executive where its future will be deliberated and a recommendation will be made to a future convention at an unspecified date. The mere thought of having one’s fate referred to the unblinking, steely gaze of NDP executive members gives me a fit of the horrors.
Instead of having its neck on the chopping block, Socialism now has one foot on a banana peel. It could still roll through the streets on a tumbril in the not too distant future to a place of execution.
(Meanwhile, word has just been received that the United Church has put Jesus Christ on waivers. He may be sold to a rival denomination.)
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Which flavor of Socialism do you prefer and advocate? National Socialism or Soviet Socialism? If neither, which Socialist nation (past or present) do you recommend as a political model for Canada? Illuminate us, please.
I hope the NDP realize that the thing that makes them different Greedy Party of Canada and Greedier Party of Canada is the goal of socialism like practiced by our other northern hemisphere neighbours in Sweden and Norway. I don't know where the clowns like the previous anonymous are when the worldwide surveys of Quality of Life, and Quality of Healthcare, and Most Liveable Country lists come out, because these socialist countries always come out on top. Since when is living long and well, paying taxes and receiving excellent services at bad thing?
SM
Socialism is neither Nazism nor Communism. You bloody idiot.
I assume Laxer would like to see a German or Swedish model of social democracy: two of the wealthiest countries in the world with high wages.
Unlike the USA where per capita GDP is so high simply because of so many rich people and where real indexed to inflation wages haven't increased since the 1970s.
Name calling? Hitler was socialist did you never hear of a 'volks' (peoples) wagon? And the USSR was a union of 'socialist' republics. No thanks. We've had enough socialism in this world already. Millions died under socialism. Mao. Pol Pot. Stalin. What you call communism, soviets, chinese and cambodians called socialism.
I agree with James. All you have to do is look at England under new labor. Ask any of my relatives over there today what they think of new labor.
They wanted to appease the right winger voter to. In the end they moved the country further to the right and destroyed there social system even more.
One thing they did do was help out there War mongor capitalizes friends and helped plung there country into a sea of red ink debt which will keep there country down for years to come, there by making sure there will be know money for soicial programs.
Looks like the NDP are holding out for the Postal Workers, too.
I always thought that socialism, when adopted by a country, was meant to pursue policies that benefitted its citizens rather than a corporate kleptocracy. (Silly me.)
I think the Nazis abandoned everything about socialism except the name fairly early on in their rise to power.
Using the name as protective cover gave them a certain legitimacy, though, as long as one didn't look too deeply into what they were actually doing.
@Anonymous 4:37/7:42
Yes, he did call you a name and I grant you it was a little rude.
It's just that when one is confronted with comments such as yours it really is hard to hold back that sort of reaction.
But hey, I'm not suggesting you take history lessons from me - I'm just a musician.
I urge you to dig around a bit more - see if your understanding of Hitler and socialism squares with most reputable sources or generally accepted views (you might want to check out that Swedish/Norwegian idea too) - and if you do so in good faith and you still believe Hitler was a socialist.... well, sorry, you'll still be way wrong and I'll be guessing that many folks on sites like this one will be pretty sure where you're getting your mis-information from.
Those I know who posit this meme all seem to have one or two specific sources in common.
Believe it or not, Laxer's books are a very good place to start - not to be taken on faith of course - but to begin or carry on the process of comparison and contrast.
No personal offense meant and I genuinely look forward to reading any future comments you have to offer.
Cheers
David Archer
Socialism was born in Europe as a movement of protest against the diseases inherent in capitalist society. Because the wage-earners suffered most from capitalism, socialism first developed as a movement of wage earners. Since then, more and more citizens - professional and clerical workers, farmers and fishermen, craftsmen and retailers, artists and scientists - are coming to understand that SOCIALISM APPEALS TO ALL MEN WHO BELIEVE THAT THE EXPLOITATION OF MAN BY MAN MUST BE ABOLISHED.
The above quote is from the first congress of SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL (there are Conservative and Liberal internationals also) Held in Frankfort-on-main on 06/30-07/03 1951.
Only socialist parties which embraced the democratic principles of elections etc. can join. That eliminated the likes of the USSR.
Millions died under socialism did they. Millions are dying under Capitalism now. History, if the warmongers don't destroy us all first, will damn all exploiters of humankind. The international Criminal Court is a good start
Dear James:
It's what this says about the NDP that's disturbing. After all, socialism is medicare, the CBC/Radio Canada, 4 publicly owned auto insurance companies offering low premiums, the LCBO, Via Rail. So what's wrong with that? Are Jack and company saying they wouldn't use government for a great purpose? Why not defend what you believe, if you believe in it? Layton wouldn't even defend deficit financing for fear of being called a tax-and-spend liberal. He simply caters to people's emotions. That explains the NDP anti-crime program that favours hiring more RCMP officers when crime stats show crime is down, and why the party doesn't say a word about the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza. What it says about the NDP isn't very attractive.
Do you think "socialism" as per the NDP constitution really means anything anymore?
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