Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

List everything that is "Socialist"

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU
 
southernleftylady Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:00 PM
Original message
List everything that is "Socialist"
Since the tea baggers hate all that is socialist... I was wondering if yall can list all that is Socialist that everyone uses... TIA :)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
proud patriot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:05 PM
Response to Original message
1. the military
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
PBS Poll-435 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:07 PM
Response to Original message
2. Parks
Either Local/State/National

I really like them
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Gargoyle22 Donating Member (25 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:09 PM
Response to Original message
3. The National Football League.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
devilgrrl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:07 PM
Response to Reply #3
40. good one!
:thumbsup:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Shanti Mama Donating Member (625 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 12:19 AM
Response to Reply #3
60. I think the NFL is privately owned.
But aren't there oversight boards of some sort for all the big sports leagues? Are they public?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
riverdale Donating Member (881 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 01:25 AM
Response to Reply #60
63. NFL is socialist
Socialist revenue sharing and an equal salary cap for all teams
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
devilgrrl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 01:44 AM
Response to Reply #63
65. Never mind all the tax breaks and tax payer funds teams get.
If anything they're welfare queens.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ChoppinBroccoli Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 02:27 PM
Response to Reply #3
73. I've Known This For Years
You can tell by the way they ARTIFICIALLY take teams at the BOTTOM and try to help them make it to the top. You know, like the way they ALWAYS give the team with the worst record in the league the FIRST pick in the following draft? And they make the team that won the Super Bowl pick DEAD LAST!!! How is THAT any kind of reward for a team that worked hard and ended up on top? To be PUNISHED by being given the LAST pick, while the team that didn't work hard or earn anything is just HANDED the #1 pick? SOCIALISM!!! You're supposed to reward the WINNERS, not the losers!!! Why, under this system, there is absolutely no INCENTIVE for the good teams to be good, so what you'll see is all the good team intentionally tanking games so they don't get burdened with the low draft picks. You'll see. It'll happen. And THEN where will the NFL be? Socialism will RUIN the league!!! You'll see.

And don't even get me started on the ARTIFICIAL hindrances to successful teams like the Salary Cap and revenue sharing. With all this SOCIALISM going on, mark my words, the NFL will fold. There's NO WAY it will EVER become the most successful sports franchise in the history of time, and remain on top for a Century with all that SOCIALISM going on. You watch, the NFL and its SOCIALIST ways will not exist in about 20 years.

NOTE: The foregoing is an imaginary conversation that would have taken place in the early 1900s (at the dawn of the NFL) had Teabaggers existed back then.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Dogmudgeon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:10 PM
Response to Original message
4. Education
--d!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
baldguy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:11 PM
Response to Original message
5. Highways, police & emergency services.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:13 PM
Response to Original message
6. Any benefit for which one did not pay the actual market for-profit value, but for which the actual
Edited on Sat Apr-03-10 06:22 PM by patrice
cost is shared by a group, especially when that sharing of the cost is mandated by membership in the group.

This would include jobs from businesses who take tax write-offs for their part of the costs of goods and services that they use for business and that are financed by the group.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dmallind Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:14 PM
Response to Original message
7. The other defintions above are actually a bit off
Not everything the government does through spending tax dollars for the general good is socialism. Socialism in its purest sense is government ownership of the means of production. When we have American Coal run by government bureaucrats, or American Steel or American Motors, then we will have socialism. Roads and the military (and most of the roads are built by private companies anyway, as are military services provided in many cases)are public goods, not signs of socialism.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:16 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. That is only one of the many types of socialism in the world, one that is more Communist than the
others.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dmallind Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:18 PM
Response to Reply #8
23. Sorry - not so


so·cial·ism audio (ssh-lzm) KEY

NOUN:

1. Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
2. The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved.


American Heritage Dictionary

It's all about collective ownership.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
SargeUNN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:31 PM
Response to Reply #23
26. Ah well then the Green Bay Packers are Socialist
How many Packers fans are against Socialism.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dmallind Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 02:15 PM
Response to Reply #26
72. Closer than most NFL teams sure
But "ownership" and "control" are not exact sysnonyms here. The taxpayers don't get to vote on who the coach is or the starting QB. When they do, or even a council of them, then it will indeed be socialist.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
SargeUNN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:37 PM
Response to Reply #23
29. Words have 2 meanings
one is called denotative the other is connotative socialism is not just the dictionary mean, but carries meanings that are not mentioned in the dictionary.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:54 PM
Response to Reply #29
34. Precisely! e.g. almost any word, but just say e.g. the word "black" vs. the actual world.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dmallind Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 02:14 PM
Response to Reply #29
71. So...where do we find THOSE definitiins
I cited - your turn.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:51 PM
Response to Reply #23
33. Uh . . . there's a difference between a book and the actual world.
Edited on Sat Apr-03-10 07:57 PM by patrice
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dmallind Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 02:13 PM
Response to Reply #33
70. What is it?
Where can I find THAT definition?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:01 PM
Response to Reply #23
37. "... collectively -OR- by a centralized government..." There are ALL kinds of collectives.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dmallind Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 02:13 PM
Response to Reply #37
69. By which "definition" any company not individually owned would be socialist
Which means hey every big evil corporation is sccialist! Success!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:42 PM
Response to Reply #7
12. Saying that it's only businesses that are wholly owned by the government is the same thing as saying
only 100 proof white lightning is alcohol.

There are various degrees of socialistic endeavors.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dmallind Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:16 PM
Response to Reply #12
22. Not really
Well yes in one way, but private ownership negates socialism. The military is not a means of production, neither are firemen or cops. When the government owns companies, that's socialism.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:35 PM
Response to Reply #22
28. Production means nothing unless it produces a benefit, so benefit is the criteria and to some
Edited on Sat Apr-03-10 07:39 PM by patrice
the military and other such do create a benefit, which is the higher order value from which "production" is derived.

And how can private "ownership" negate socialism when private "ownership" produces nothing of benefit (or otherwise) without needed goods, resources, and services that private "ownership" did not produce.

You can own all of the ball-bearing factories in the world, but without socially produced roads and transportation and markets to get those ball-bearings to, you own something that is of limited or no value. Same thing for meat or cars or spinach. Yes, in theory, all of those SOCIAL goods and services could each one have been created and developed individually and entirely privately and without the support of ANY other (private or otherwise) goods and services, but that did not happen. With very few exceptions, everything is more or less inter-dependent, so, since you can't/don't produce the wherewithal of your own survival no matter what you are doing, and yet expect to be valued by the system in such a manner as for the social system to meet your needs, why not almost ANYONE else?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
unblock Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 10:33 PM
Response to Reply #12
52. a bit of a digression, but i think you mean 200 proof.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
shraby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:47 PM
Response to Reply #7
14. The roads may be built by private companies, but tax
Edited on Sat Apr-03-10 06:52 PM by shraby
dollars pay the private companies to build them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:14 PM
Response to Reply #14
21. Right. I think in terms of whether something is a more or less
independent, for-profit enterprise or whether it is more or less dependent, not-for-profit, or depends upon not-for-profit resources.

Technically, to the extent that money is not a Real Value, but rather a completely arbitrary and abstract value that depends upon the general agreement of a ***GROUP*** as to what the rate of exchange is, anything that depends upon money is socialistic. It is a benefit derived from a system/group/society that allows you to avoid paying the actual cost of that benefit.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mudplanet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:03 PM
Response to Reply #7
19. In theory, true, but the opposition claims that the HCR bill creates a
"socialist" model of health care, so let's go on their definition of socialism. Certainly police protection, all public roads, fire department services, etc are organized and operated under a more "socialist" model than health care.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Odin2005 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 09:32 PM
Response to Reply #7
49. No, socialism is control of the means of production by THE WORKERS.
What you are describing is State Capitalism.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
leftstreet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 11:59 PM
Response to Reply #7
56. "government bureaucrats"
hmmm...

Are you sure you meant to say that?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
miscsoc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:22 PM
Response to Original message
9. liberty
Edited on Sat Apr-03-10 06:23 PM by miscsoc
at least in europe, and probably in north america. (it's hard to imagine that the u.s. could have stayed wholly free in a world dominated by the axis powers)

victory in the second world war was secured by massive, essentially democratic-socialist government action on the part of the u.s.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:46 PM
Response to Reply #9
32. Bingo!!!~
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Omaha Steve Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:23 PM
Response to Original message
10. The socialist party had over one million votes for president (Debs was in prison) 1920

http://www.historycentral.com/elections/1920Pop.html



The party got Workmans Comp, Unemployment Ins, and more passed over the years.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
miscsoc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:26 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. harding released debs from prison
and then invited him to the white house for dinner, iirc. not much of a president, and anything but socialist, but he deserves credit for that
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Kievan Rus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:44 PM
Response to Original message
13. Most of the buildings in Washington DC
Edited on Sat Apr-03-10 06:44 PM by Kievan Rus
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
shraby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:52 PM
Response to Original message
15. Street lights and libraries, maintaining clear roads in
the winter..plowing and sanding by county and city crews. Street and highway signs, stoplights.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:55 PM
Response to Original message
16. Stop lights.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Suich Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 06:55 PM
Response to Original message
17. Fireman.
Can you imagine how much it would cost if you had to pay to have a house fire put out? The equipment, the manpower, including overtime, the water, etc., would bankrupt me. I'd have to sell my burned out house to pay the bill!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
wolfgangmo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 02:40 PM
Response to Reply #17
75. The water is socialistic as well
Without water the fire dept. won't be putting out anything.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
rucky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:02 PM
Response to Original message
18. The legal system.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MajorChode Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:06 PM
Response to Original message
20. Almost all transportation
...to include, but not limited to roads, waterways, aviation, and to a lesser extent, railway.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
david13 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:25 PM
Response to Original message
24. Life.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Berserker Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:29 PM
Response to Original message
25. This was posted on DU
Sorry I don't remember who posted it.

To all Tea Party members, I urge you to take the following pledge before it's too late. Please pass it on to fellow members.

I do solemnly swear to uphold the principles of a socialism-free society and heretofore pledge my word that I shall
abstain from the use of and participation in any socialist goods and services including but not limited to the following:

•Social Security
•Medicare/Medicaid
•State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP)
•Police, Fire, and Emergency Services
•US Postal Service
•Roads and Highways
•Air Travel (regulated by the socialist FAA)
•The US Railway System
•Public Subways and Metro Systems
•Public Bus and Lightrail Systems
•Rest Areas on Highways
•Sidewalks
•All Government-Funded Local/State Projects
•Public Water and Sewer Services (goodbye socialist toilet, shower, dishwasher, kitchen sink, outdoor hose!)
•Public and State Universities and Colleges
•Public Primary and Secondary Schools
•Sesame Street
•Publicly Funded Anti-Drug Use Education for Children
•Public Museums
•Libraries
•Public Parks and Beaches
•State and National Parks
•Public Zoos
•Unemployment Insurance
•Municipal Garbage and Recycling Services
•Treatment at Any Hospital or Clinic That Ever Received Funding From Local, State or Federal Government (pretty much all of them)
•Medical Services and Medications That Were Created or Derived From Any Government Grant or Research Funding (again, pretty much all of them)
•Socialist Byproducts of Government Investment Such as Duct Tape and Velcro (Nazi-NASA Inventions)
•Use of the Internets, email, and networked computers, as the DoD's ARPANET was the basis for subsequent computer networking
•Foodstuffs, Meats, Produce and Crops That Were Grown With, Fed With, Raised With or That Contain Inputs From Crops Grown With Government Subsidies
•Clothing Made from Crops (e.g. cotton) That Were Grown With or That Contain Inputs From Government Subsidies
If a veteran of the government-run socialist US military, I will forego my VA benefits and insist on paying for my own medical care
I will not tour socialist government buildings like the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
I pledge to never take myself, my family, or my children on a tour of the following types of socialist locations, including but not limited to:
•Smithsonian Museums such as the Air and Space Museum or Museum of American History
•The socialist Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Monuments
•The government-operated Statue of Liberty
•The Grand Canyon
•The socialist World War II and Vietnam Veterans Memorials
•The government-run socialist-propaganda location known as Arlington National Cemetery
•All other public-funded socialist sites, whether it be in my state or in Washington, DC

I will urge my Member of Congress and Senators to forego their government salary and government-provided healthcare.

I will oppose and condemn the government-funded and therefore socialist military of the United States of America.

I will boycott the products of socialist defense contractors such as GE, Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Humana, FedEx, General Motors, Honeywell, and hundreds of others that are paid by our socialist government to produce goods for our socialist army.

I will protest socialist security departments such as the Pentagon, FBI, CIA, Department of Homeland Security, TSA, Department of Justice and their socialist employees.

Upon reaching eligible retirement age, I will tear up my socialist Social Security checks.

Upon reaching age 65, I will forego Medicare and pay for my own private health insurance until I die.


SWORN ON A BIBLE AND SIGNED THIS DAY OF __________ IN THE YEAR ___.
_____________ _________________________
Signed Printed Name/Town and State
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
southernleftylady Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:33 PM
Response to Reply #25
27. awesome awesome awesome! thats exactly the type of thing i was looking for thanks! nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:41 PM
Response to Reply #25
30. THAT's very good!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Union Yes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:43 PM
Response to Original message
31. Me
Edited on Sat Apr-03-10 07:44 PM by Union Yes
:evilgrin:

:hi:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
jody Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:57 PM
Response to Original message
35. Do you mean socialist in the original meaning of state ownership of the means of production and
central planning by an omniscient, omnipotent government OR in the current sense of redistribution of wealth through taxation and government institutions?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:08 PM
Response to Reply #35
41. The common factor in all of it collectivity in whatever form. It could be a private trade organizati
Edited on Sat Apr-03-10 08:16 PM by patrice
on, to the extent that the group provides a benefit that members could not create individually and for which they do not individually bear the full cost of creating that benefit, it's socialist and if that benefit extends to include the full spectrum of the necessaries for survival for it's members, it's Socialism.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
jody Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:13 PM
Response to Reply #41
42. Thanks for your opinion but I asked southernleftylady the OP author. n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:22 PM
Response to Reply #42
43. This is a public place. Perhaps you should consider PM-ing your private conversations.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
jody Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:24 PM
Response to Reply #43
45. Perhaps you should let the OP author answer a question directed to her. n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
iamthebandfanman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 11:57 PM
Response to Reply #45
54. that must hurt. n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
patrice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 11:51 AM
Response to Reply #45
68. Who is stopping her? nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Union Yes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 07:58 PM
Response to Original message
36. Ok I'll play fair =) ...
Government for the people, of the people, by the people.

:patriot:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DainBramaged Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:06 PM
Response to Original message
38. Here
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Subdivisions Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 02:07 AM
Response to Reply #38
66. That made me laff. Those people are so fucking stupid. Thanks, DB. n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DainBramaged Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 08:03 AM
Response to Reply #66
67. Stoopid isn't even the word for them
How do you cut taxes and not defense? And the old ho sitting in the chair, zero taxes. Who then pays for her Social Security and Medicare?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
LaydeeBug Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:07 PM
Response to Original message
39. toilets. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
one_voice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:24 PM
Response to Original message
44. Car Insurance..
Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Homeowners Ins.

You pay into a "pot" but may never have the need to use what you've paid. Yet you don't get a refund on what you don't use, it's spread around.

Or you could use much more than you've paid.





Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
David__77 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:26 PM
Response to Original message
46. Democracy.
Can't have it without socialism.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
AzoraBlue Donating Member (4 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:43 PM
Response to Original message
47. A mini-story I've seen passed around:
Transcribing a user essay from an image that gets passed around my corner of the internet for great amusement:

this morning I was awoken by my alarm clock powered by electricity generated by the public power monopoly regulated by the US department of energy. I then took a shower in the clean water provided by the municipal water utility. After that I turned on the TV to one of the FCC regulated channels to see what the national weather service of the national oceanographic and atmospheric administration determined the weather was going to be like using satellites designed, built, and launched by the national aeronautics and space administration. I watched this while eating my breakfast of US department of agriculture inspected food and taking the drugs which have been determined as safe by the food and drug administration.

At the appropriate time as regulated by the US congress and kept accurate by the national institute of standards and technology and the US naval observatory, I get into my national highway traffic safety administration approved automobile and set out to work on the roads built by the local, state, and federal departments of transportation, possibly stopping to purchase additional fuel of a quality level determined by the environmental protection agency, using legal tender issued by the federal reserve bank. On the way out the door I deposit any mail I have to be sent out via the US postal service and drop the kids off at the public school.

After work I drive my NHTSA car back home on the DOT roads, to a house which has not burnt down in my absence because of the state and local building codes and fire marshal's inspection, and which has not been plundered of all its valuables thanks to the local police department.

I then log on to the internet which was developed by the defense advanced research projects administration and post on freerepublic.com and fox news forums about how SOCIALISM in medicine is bad because the government can't do anything right.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Th1onein Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 08:50 PM
Response to Original message
48. Fire hydrants.
eom
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Odin2005 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 09:36 PM
Response to Original message
50. A lot of these things are not Socialist, they are State Capitalist.
Right-Wingers attacked them by calling them "Socialism" so people started thinking of them as "Socialist", that is not correct. "Socialism" means the control of the means of production by the workers. A welfare state is not inherently "Socialist" in the strict sense.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ThomThom Donating Member (752 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 09:54 PM
Response to Original message
51. the commons
which is what government is suppose to protect
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
iamthebandfanman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 11:56 PM
Response to Original message
53. me! n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Dyedinthewoolliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 11:59 PM
Response to Original message
55. It's funny!
Your thread only took about 10 posts to devolve off the subject.......... :o)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Incitatus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Apr-03-10 11:59 PM
Response to Original message
57. The US government. nt
Edited on Sat Apr-03-10 11:59 PM by Incitatus
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
JI7 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 12:04 AM
Response to Original message
58. the national anthem
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
JI7 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 12:05 AM
Response to Original message
59. clean water
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Shanti Mama Donating Member (625 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 12:25 AM
Response to Original message
61. Great idea. Maybe you should start over and
ask for things that the teabaggers should be aware of as similar to health care in its relationship to socialism. Then we could get to the real point, at least in my mind, which is working to educate them about the role of government in providing "socialist" services.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dorkulon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 12:40 AM
Response to Original message
62. Me. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
riverdale Donating Member (881 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 01:31 AM
Response to Original message
64. The Alaska Permanent Fund
Pays each AK resident a check each year out of the state's oil revenues.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
wolfgangmo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 02:36 PM
Response to Original message
74. Families
Hard to get around that one - of course freepers might just make their kids pay as they go.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
salguine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-04-10 02:57 PM
Response to Original message
76. Mail delivery and trash pickup. Police and fire departments.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Tue May 07th 2024, 08:42 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC