Does Socialism work financially?

Posted on by Opher

There is a myth circulated that socialism does not work, that financially it gets itself in a mess.

“Socialist governments traditionally do make a financial mess. They always run out of other people’s money.”

It seems to me that this is a myth created by the Tory media. It is like Goebbels spouting his Nazi propaganda – if you say it enough times people will believe it. When the whole of the media is owned or controlled by the rich and powerful it is no wonder that things become distorted. They manipulate us.

The Tony Blair government, ostensibly socialist though most would see it as watered down Thatcherism, certainly was effective financially. That government operated in the black for most of two terms – unlike the Tories with their more Capitalist policies.

The Labour government was blamed for mismanagement when in fact the financial crisis was a global phenomenon stemming from general banking bad practice – particularly in the USA.

Still the myth is circulated about the effectiveness of socialism. Could that be because ‘all’ the media is owned or controlled by capitalists, wealthy people with vested interest?

Socialism is about social justice and equality. History demonstrates clearly that Capitalism siphons money from the bottom to the elite at the top. It results in an unhappy land of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’. Socialism taxes the rich more to provide better services for everyone and thus reduces the inequality. It nationalises key industries so that they are not overpriced to produce profits for wealthy investors. The profits are ploughed back into improvements in service.

I would prefer to live in a fairer, more just, society which respected the environment and all people, is tolerant and caring. That can only happen under a socialist government.

The British Political Parties – Labour Party – What they stand for and where they came from.

Posted on by Opher

The British Political Parties – Labour Party – What they stand for and where they came from.

Posted on July 18, 2015 by

Labour

Disclaimer – I would consider myself a left-wing moderate and pragmatist. While I will try to be objective and impartial one must always bear that in mind when reading further. My bias may subconsciously select words for me.

 

It is quite apparent to me, from my years in education, that the majority of people do not have a clue as to what the political parties stand for. Their philosophy has become shrouded in obfuscation. All the politicians are interested in is power and that means votes. In order to get elected they have to compromise and disguise their intent. That is politics.

 

I am attempting to state clearly, simply and objectively what the main parties stand for and where they came from.

 

The Labour Party.

 

The Labour Party are a centre/left party.

 

They came out of an amalgamation of the Socialist Party and the Trade Union movement of the late 19th Century. They were founded in 1900.

 

They were formed in order to give working men a voice in parliament and fight for reforms that would improve the conditions and pay of working people.

 

The Labour Party is a broad church ranging from extreme socialists to moderate social democrats.

 

They believe in social ownership of the means of production – ie. State ownership.

 

They believe in the principle of – ‘To each according to his contribution’ and/or ‘From each according to ability; to each according to need’. That is basically a fairer distribution of the wealth of the nation.

 

They embraced social concerns to improve the lot of ordinary people – environmentalism, feminism, and liberalism.

 

They oppose the premise of capitalism.

 

They believe in government intervention in business, taxation to provide services, redistribution of wealth, rights for working people and a welfare state.

 

Nb. No doubt my political friends of a left-wing bias will put me right on a few of my assertions!

So what’s wrong with socialism?

Posted on by Opher

Socialism is a range of economic and social systems characterised by social ownership and democratic control of the means of production;[

It is a system that is opposed to the rampant greed of capitalism. This mantra of profit before all else, greed and to hell with everything, is what is creating inequality, environmental destruction, overpopulation and fuelling war. There’s a better way.

I like democracy and having a say in what is going on.

Socialism is based on the idea of equality.

It is associated with environmentalism, feminism and liberalism.

They are all things I am in agreement with.

I’ve been listening with interest to the arguments put forward at the Labour Conference and good ones they are too.

An end to austerity and the vicious attacks on the poor, disabled and public servants.

I want an educational system for everyone – not selection and a series of grammar schools for the wealthy while the rest get the slops.

The nationalisation of the Post Office. How on Earth does it make sense to have thousands of cars and vans running around the countryside delivering amazon parcels instead of one streamlined, joined up service? It’s a bunch of poorly paid people being exploited for profit. We have a national system that is efficient and streamlined it’s called the Post Office.

The Nationalisation of the Railways. I’m sick of hiked up prices for travel. A piecemeal set of companies all in it to cream off wealth for a bunch of rich owners. I want an efficient, joined up, safe, cheap service, development and a service that provides comfort and speed. It needs to be under public ownership.

The end of Trident. Trident is a hugely expensive red herring. It can never be used and is minuscule compared with the USA and Russia (and probably China too)  It’s only reason is to give Britain a place at the top table. Well I could do without a place at the top table. The money could be spent on anti-terrorism, schools, hospitals and housing.

I want the greedy bankers and capitalists to pay more. I want a country with more equality and less greed.

I want the environment being respected and conserved. I don’t want fracking destroying our countryside and polluting the water.

I could go on. I can’t find much I disagree with.

I’m a socialist, a paid up Labour man. I believe in equality. I want capitalism curbed.

I want the Labour Party to unite and get behind the leader and get their message across. It’s time we started showing up the Tories for the bunch of greedy capitalists they are.

There is a better way – it’s the Labour way. I’m a SOCIALIST through and through.

 

The British Political Parties – Labour Party – What they stand for and where they came from.

Posted on by Opher

Labour

Disclaimer – I would consider myself a left-wing moderate and pragmatist. While I will try to be objective and impartial one must always bear that in mind when reading further. My bias may subconsciously select words for me.

 

It is quite apparent to me, from my years in education, that the majority of people do not have a clue as to what the political parties stand for. Their philosophy has become shrouded in obfuscation. All the politicians are interested in is power and that means votes. In order to get elected they have to compromise and disguise their intent. That is politics.

 

I am attempting to state clearly, simply and objectively what the main parties stand for and where they came from.

 

The Labour Party.

 

The Labour Party are a centre/left party.

 

They came out of an amalgamation of the Socialist Party and the Trade Union movement of the late 19th Century. They were founded in 1900.

 

They were formed in order to give working men a voice in parliament and fight for reforms that would improve the conditions and pay of working people.

 

The Labour Party is a broad church ranging from extreme socialists to moderate social democrats.

 

They believe in social ownership of the means of production – ie. State ownership.

 

They believe in the principle of – ‘To each according to his contribution’ and/or ‘From each according to ability; to each according to need’. That is basically a fairer distribution of the wealth of the nation.

 

They embraced social concerns to improve the lot of ordinary people – environmentalism, feminism, and liberalism.

 

They oppose the premise of capitalism.

 

They believe in government intervention in business, taxation to provide services, redistribution of wealth, rights for working people and a welfare state.

 

Nb. No doubt my political friends of a left-wing bias will put me right on a few of my assertions!

Socialism – ‘Extract from ’53 and imploding’ the book I am currently working on.’

Posted on by Opher

‘I could be a socialist. They didn’t have anything much in the thesaurus for Socialist. They just listed social. When you looked that up it listed loads of lovely things like human, humane, friendly, amiable, affable, genial, pleasant, convivial, gregarious and polite. That’s a nice set of words. I think I would like to live in a world where society was based around those words. That sounds tolerant and caring. It sounds friendly and fun. There’d be room for a scruffy little bastard like me. There’d be opportunity to debate and argue without nastiness. I wouldn’t mind working towards that.

I can imagine that if you could get in a socialist’s head you’d find someone with my kind of sensibilities. It might be chaotic but they wouldn’t want to kill you because your skin colour or religion was different or you were demanding equality. I can imagine the argument without the violence and smug superiority.’

Any comments welcome!