I agree, although I cannot help having a good chuckle every time
I hear one of my American friends referring to "Socialist"
countries, meaning pretty much all of Western Europe. You won't
find anyone in Germany, for example, where I currently live, saying
that they live in a "socialist" system. The late, unlamented German
"Democratic" Republic was a socialist state. We have a free market
economy with certain strong social welfare aspects. The opposition
Social Democratic Party is not the political home of German
socialists - they belong to the Left Party. We didn't nationalise
our car manufacturers or major banks in the course of this
financial crisis. Believe me, this system is also far from perfect,
but the US has shown over many decades that its system isn't the
answer either.
I do find the differing definitions of the term "socialism"
intriguing, though!
Your responses have been noted, and I shall reply to you by
private message in due course.
But Joe, an argument along the lines of "you use the word
political in it" is simply not worthy of an adult, let alone one of
your undoubted intelligence - and I mean this very sincerely: I
have great respect for your experience and market knowledge, and I
appreciate your posts in this forum!
Have a good weekend all.
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isplat
Thought for the weekend - enjoy- beware this is slightly political
Posted by jtverr on 13th of Feb 2010 at 08:24 am
I agree, although I cannot help having a good chuckle every time I hear one of my American friends referring to "Socialist" countries, meaning pretty much all of Western Europe. You won't find anyone in Germany, for example, where I currently live, saying that they live in a "socialist" system. The late, unlamented German "Democratic" Republic was a socialist state. We have a free market economy with certain strong social welfare aspects. The opposition Social Democratic Party is not the political home of German socialists - they belong to the Left Party. We didn't nationalise our car manufacturers or major banks in the course of this financial crisis. Believe me, this system is also far from perfect, but the US has shown over many decades that its system isn't the answer either.
I do find the differing definitions of the term "socialism" intriguing, though!
jtverr, perthx
Posted by isplat on 13th of Feb 2010 at 10:07 am
Your responses have been noted, and I shall reply to you by private message in due course.
But Joe, an argument along the lines of "you use the word political in it" is simply not worthy of an adult, let alone one of your undoubted intelligence - and I mean this very sincerely: I have great respect for your experience and market knowledge, and I appreciate your posts in this forum!
Have a good weekend all.