Which is better capitalism or socialism?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should have better socialized medicine. It’s not capitalism all the way or we turn into Cuba. There is lots of middle ground. Western Europe does well with capitalism but has a much better ( not perfect) health care system and provides better for the elderly etc.

I would make the argument that socialized medicine would catalyze capitalism. Because it would capitalize entrepreneurship -- it's a lot easier to take risks in creating new businesses, etc. if you have the health care safety net. In an employer-based health insurance system, people are afraid to leave their jobs.

This is a feature not a bug. Capitalists don't care about creating a capitalist utopia for all - they care about growing their own wealth. Increased entrepreneurship is a threat to them. Companies have a significant incentive to promote socialized healthcare in the US, but they don't. Why do you think this is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should have better socialized medicine. It’s not capitalism all the way or we turn into Cuba. There is lots of middle ground. Western Europe does well with capitalism but has a much better ( not perfect) health care system and provides better for the elderly etc.

I would make the argument that socialized medicine would catalyze capitalism. Because it would capitalize entrepreneurship -- it's a lot easier to take risks in creating new businesses, etc. if you have the health care safety net. In an employer-based health insurance system, people are afraid to leave their jobs.

And before anyone starts harping on the taxes for socialized medicine, I'd argue that the premiums and deductibles we have to pay are the equivalent of taxes.

And before anyone starts harping that they don't want the government making decisions about when and where you can get treatment, I'd argue that as much as it would suck, it's probably preferable to allowing a profit-motivated insurance company that's trying to meet quarterly earnings targets to make such decisions.

One solution is to provide basic health care for all but also allow private insurance for those who are willing to pay out of pocket for more care. The UK does this; Canada generally does not. Switzerland requires that everyone buy insurance for basic health care (assume if you're truly impovershed the state kicks in the fee) but enhanced insurance can be bought (or provided by an employer).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, You can compare it yourself. Capitalism countries such as USA and Canada in North America vs Socialism countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, etc in South America.

Or the socialist countries of Northern Europe with the highest happiness and longest lifespans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Socialism is better

If you are poor.

[Anonymous]

Communism is better.

In capitalism, man exploits man. But in communism it is the other way around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we are being honest, I am a decently wealthy and would do everything in my power to maintain status quo.

My family is my priority and my assets protect them.

Let it ride baby!

The wheel turns, my friend, you may reap what you sow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should have better socialized medicine. It’s not capitalism all the way or we turn into Cuba. There is lots of middle ground. Western Europe does well with capitalism but has a much better ( not perfect) health care system and provides better for the elderly etc.

I would make the argument that socialized medicine would catalyze capitalism. Because it would capitalize entrepreneurship -- it's a lot easier to take risks in creating new businesses, etc. if you have the health care safety net. In an employer-based health insurance system, people are afraid to leave their jobs.

And before anyone starts harping on the taxes for socialized medicine, I'd argue that the premiums and deductibles we have to pay are the equivalent of taxes.

And before anyone starts harping that they don't want the government making decisions about when and where you can get treatment, I'd argue that as much as it would suck, it's probably preferable to allowing a profit-motivated insurance company that's trying to meet quarterly earnings targets to make such decisions.

One solution is to provide basic health care for all but also allow private insurance for those who are willing to pay out of pocket for more care. The UK does this; Canada generally does not. Switzerland requires that everyone buy insurance for basic health care (assume if you're truly impovershed the state kicks in the fee) but enhanced insurance can be bought (or provided by an employer).

aka Obama Care as originally conceived.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we should have better socialized medicine. It’s not capitalism all the way or we turn into Cuba. There is lots of middle ground. Western Europe does well with capitalism but has a much better ( not perfect) health care system and provides better for the elderly etc.

I would make the argument that socialized medicine would catalyze capitalism. Because it would capitalize entrepreneurship -- it's a lot easier to take risks in creating new businesses, etc. if you have the health care safety net. In an employer-based health insurance system, people are afraid to leave their jobs.

This is a feature not a bug. Capitalists don't care about creating a capitalist utopia for all - they care about growing their own wealth. Increased entrepreneurship is a threat to them. Companies have a significant incentive to promote socialized healthcare in the US, but they don't. Why do you think this is?

You do realize that company provided health insurance started as a benefit when companies were subject to wage controls and offered this insurance as a way of attracting workers in a very tight labor market.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we should have better socialized medicine. It’s not capitalism all the way or we turn into Cuba. There is lots of middle ground. Western Europe does well with capitalism but has a much better ( not perfect) health care system and provides better for the elderly etc.

+1

Agreed, healthcare should not be tied to your employment. Everyone should have access to basic healthcare thru the government. Then there can be added options that you can pay for if you so choose...much like now. we pay for concierge medicine so we have quick, easy access to a doctor. Get the flu, we just message/text/call and in less than 1 hour our tamiflu is waiting at the pharmacy, same for covid and paxlovid. And if I'm sick, my doctor calls me within 2-3 hours to discuss my health, all at no extra charge (that's what the monthly fee I'm paying for covers) Should I need treatment for major health issues, they will fully coordinate my care and even attend appointments with specialists if needed (but typically the specialist is within the same hospital system so they just communicate as needed)
But everyone deserves basic healthcare at an affordable rate. It will save $$$ for all of us. Who do you think pays for someone without healthcare or with a high deductible who cannot afford to pay for their doctors visits? we all do, and that person typically waits until its bad and they end up at the ER, costing much more than if they went to their doctor or urgent care 2-3 days earlier. That is one reason hospital bills are so high---we pay for the underinsured/uninsured.

[Anonymous]

I think capitalism already won.

[Anonymous]

Socialism works in small communities. But we live in a word where most countries dont produce enough food to feed their own people. We need global trade. Some institutions should also be a social benefit (education, healthcare, access to lawyers, equal rights) and therefore need goverment control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, You can compare it yourself. Capitalism countries such as USA and Canada in North America vs Socialism countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, etc in South America.

Without an historical knowledge of the destruction of South American democracies by the US and Western European countries it’s not that simple.

[Anonymous]

Hey, OP -- care to distinguish between "socialism" (ooooh, scary!) and a social safety net? I'm betting you can't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A mix of both, which is what we currently have in the United States.

I strongly believe in incentives, the market place, etc. People should be able to get rich on a good idea.

But people also need a strong safety net when it comes to health insurance, shelter, public schooling, retirement, and public safety. Taxes are what make us civilized, instead of serfs and warlords.

I agree. You take the good from each and leave the bad behind. Norway is a good example of that.

[Anonymous]

200 years ago, more than 90% of the world lived in desperate poverty. Capitalism has transformed the face of the planet and the complexion of daily life for the vast majority of people.