OP and others who thing Socialism is good,
It is really a pretty simple formula. Data show that Socialism leads to decreases in productivity and decreases in productivity lead to decreases in living standards. When living standards decrease everyone is worse off. There are more needy and fewer resources (charitable or governmental) to help them. Conversely, the combination of freedom, democracy, and capitalism increases productivity and increases living standards. JFK summed it up nicely when he said, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
The OP and others want to convince us that Socialism and Communism are completed different even though they are just slightly different versions of Collectivism. They say to ignore USSR, Cuba, North Korea, etc. because they are/were Communist and look at Europe. OK, let’s look at Europe:
- A 2005 study by the Assoc of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry found that the EU was roughly 20 years behind the US in economic performance, and it would take the EU until 2056 to reach 2005 U.S. levels of productivity.
- Most recent data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development nations show that the average U.S. Citizen consumes 52% more than the average inhabitant of other OECD countries and 47% more than citizens of Western Europe.
- Average GDP per person in the U.S. is 25% higher than in Europe
- Average income in Europe is below that of Mississippi - one of America’s poorest states.
- Even in a recession, U.S. unemployment rates are lower than most EU countries (there are valid arguments that the current recession and slow recovery are primarily due to increased government intervention in the U.S. economy ala Europe).
To sum it up, European Socialism has lead to a declining standard of living, slow economic growth, lack of job creation, lack of innovation, and failed health care systems. In total, Europeans across the economic spectrum are worse off.
