Reply #2: Everyone should note that socialsim and capitalism [View All]

are not mutually exclusive, such as in the Scandanavian countries. However, I wouldn't want to see such a system in the United States. I think what most of us would prefer would be capitalism with common sense regulation to prevent companies like Enron from cheating, and to protect consumers and the environment. We should also maintain things like social security, the minimum wage and medicare, which have served to make America a better place.

On the other hand, centrally planned economies like those of the USSR are ineffective because they are far too rigid. One of free-market capitalism's biggest benefits is its ability to respond quickly to changes. With central planning, people often wound up with shortages, as insulated bureaucrats and economists had a hard time estimating just how much toilet paper would be needed in 10 years.