I'm a Dem but i think socialism is bad

[fskimospy]

You raise a great point and implementing at the federal level would be yet another power grab by DC at the expense of what our country was founded on which was power to the states. We have 50 little incubators to come up with ideas to solve this but somehow think no we need to implement nationwide because of reasons. Let states come up with ideas and proposals and the ones that work others can adopt, the ones that don’t the other 49 learn not to do that.

Remember, the Constitution was written explicitly to take power from the states.

 

[fskimospy]

Take a pill, man.

The discussion had nothing to do other the US tax system. I know people who think incomes of a million dollars should be taxed at 70%.

The economics literature suggests that’s a good idea so why not?

 

[Jhhnn]

Remember, the Constitution was written explicitly to take power from the states.

Troll personas don't necessarily believe any of it. They just want to spread the FUD. It's like Trump. I hope you don't think he actually believes his own bullshit. What he believes is that it will have the desired effect on the audience. UC is a minor version of that.

 

[cfenton]

What income levels are you referring to? I hope you don't believe that a successful neurosurgeon who makes million a year should pay 700,000 in taxes.

As other have pointed out, marginal tax rates wouldn't lead to a situation like this, but I'm not convinced it would be a problem even if it was a flat 70% tax on someone like that. $300,000 is more than enough to live a very comfortable life anywhere in the US. People don't need to be extravagantly wealthy to be happy. Certainly that $700,000 would have far more marginal utility spread out over a hundred people making $30,000.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Pure socialism can be bad if done wrong which it often is, but SOME things should be socialized... like health care. Everyone should have the right to be healthy without having to go bankrupt. The US system is a disgrace to humanity. I don't care how good the health care may be, it's moot if people have to sell their house and declare bankruptcy because they got a serious injury or illness.

 

[thilanliyan]

Take a pill, man.

The discussion had nothing to do other the US tax system. I know people who think incomes of a million dollars should be taxed at 70%.

That won't ever happen. And that is definitely not what is being proposed by some Dems.

 

[Jhhnn]

That won't ever happen. And that is definitely not what is being proposed by some Dems.

A litle Krugman to burn their eyes out-

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/05/opinion/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-tax-policy-dance.html

 

[ivwshane]

Yes, but those countries are very small compared to America. What works for Sweeden or Denmark would be difficult to enforce here. Think about it. If we tried to emulate one of those Nordic countries, it would go down to the state level. Each state would have a say. So, you'd have true socilism in the blue states and a lot of push back in the red states. IMO, we would see a wave of people moving north. And why not. Free health care. The need to work less. Free college. Do you really think states like Mississippi or Arkansas would follow the socilism route? Do you really think most people there would like to see their taxes raised? Hell no.

I could be wrong. I just don't see it working out, and TBH I doubt socilism will ever make it in America. I tell people all the time, "If you wait for the government to fix your life you are in a world of hurt. It's up to you. No one is going to do it for you." Remember Obama's Change, Hope. Or Trump's Make America Great Again. How has that worked out for the average American? Yet, I met a foreigner last week. He's from Romania. Within a 5 year span he's opened 2 businesses, and is about to open his third. He also works 16 hours a day. People don't want to hear the truth though.

Your mistake is thinking that people are waiting for government to fix their problems. That's not the role of a good government. The role of a good government is to help people so they don't need things to be fixed, as in being proactive.