vernon

Property taxes are the worst possible taxes. Example an elderly person that pays his property taxes for years and when he retires he won't have the money to pay property taxes and eat so they help him out and seize his property.Now does anyone think that is proper?Inheritance tax is a tax on money that has already been taxed that is wrong.Corporate taxes are a problem of being taxed then taxed again now who would
be for this.

working class stiff Loc: N. Carolina

Welcome back....

I don't see capitalism or socialism as either/ or propositions. Capitalism, to me, takes advantage of one side of human nature and socialism takes advantage of another side.

We are all capitalist as we are all selfish and to some extent that is a virtue (ala Ayn Rand). We take care of ourselves so we are not a burden to others and seek to better our lives to make them easier. Seeking advantage and innovation come naturally to individuals. Profit is as old as the human race, whether monetary or some form of social status and gain.

We are also members of social groups: family, clan, tribe, ethnic, national, etc. In that way, we also have to worry about what 'the neighbors' think and how we relate to them. As humans we develop social awareness and recognize the success of the group is also our success...hopefully I benefit from the rising tide lifting my neighbors.

Hmmm....that sound familiar. So I don't see them as antithetical at all. Just two ways of looking at the world around us. Much like relativity and quantum mechanics, capitalism and socialism may look contradictory at heart but together they are a pretty good touchstone for analyzing what we observe. If only we were smart enough to come up with a unified theory....

Owl32 Loc: ARK

Yes corporations should be taxed directly by the Federal Government. Property taxes are a state law as defined in the original document, also they could tax individuals as most states already do. Inheritance should not be taxed period, taxes have ready be assessed on the person who created this wealth. Double taxation is not legal.

Owl32 Loc: ARK

I agree with Vernon, property taxes should end at the retirement age, including school millage taxes because old
retired persons no longer have the income to pay these expenses and no government, Federal or State should ever be able to take some elderly persons home period. The governments should not be involved in making anyone homeless period.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Who is in charge of "the market" and decides how much it'll pay? What I find appalling, is that the price of your corn flakes is determined by a bunch of folks hooting and hollering on the floor at one of the wall street exchanges, folks who've never had dirt under their fingernails.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

In my case I just push my luck as far as I can. I am still middle of the road. If I were too cheap I would get every job but I work myself to death to barely survive. If I am too expensive I would go without work for long periods at a time and would also starve.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

I can go along with that

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

I must say that I agree with you concerning both property and inheritance taxes... Corporate taxes I believe serve a purpose... Though the tax rate should never be to high (in my opinion)..

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Agreed.. Taxes should end at retirement age... If one chooses to retire earlier, or to work past retirement Then taxes should still apply...

Either one owns one's home or one doesn't...
Here in China we pay a one time property tax at the time of the purchase (it varies from province to province , I paid a 1% tax on my apartment...)

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Well stated...
A balance needs to be struck (?)
In your opinion , which member of congress is closest to this balance?

Owl32 Loc: ARK

NOT MORE THAN 17.5%. As nearly all manufacturing corporations use multiple times daily facilities such as
highways and communication systems provided by the Governments. All the passenger autos in USA donot come close to wear and tare on highway systems as done by Major Trucking Companies and Industries .
I do not actually know the amount to at least 90% of the highways in the USA . I live on a country road that has asphalt the only damage to it has been done Logging Trucks and large haulers the repair of this should not fall on individual county citizens who have done none of the damage.

rumitoid

Capitalism, defined: "an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state."
Socialism, defined: : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property

Socialism is, by definition, anathema to Capitalism, and vice versa. But the two definitions say nearly nothing about how each is actually practiced. Neither one is without egregious acts against humanity. Let's visit Capitalism first on that front.

Prey on others: The Darwinian worldview was critical, not only in influencing the development of N**ism and c*******m, but also in the rise of the ruthless capitalists that flourished in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In particular there was the laissez-faire economics of the Robber Barons based on Social Darwinism. This is Capitalism seen as "survival of the fittest" which "sanctioned cutthroat economic competition." Men like Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Vanderbilt were treated and seen as aristocrats of America. Workers were treated worst than mere replaceable cogs in the machine of profit. Capitalism is not pure and noble.

Socialism, again as defined, is, when following that definition strictly, inherently evil. Really nothing else to say about it.

As much as Capitalism can dehumanize, so can Socialism.....but Capitalism is better suited to the spirit of humanity and far more workable.

It seems that we need either a different word or expanded definition for social safety nets and aid. Unemployment Insurance is not seizing control of a country's trade and industry; it helps sustain the economy. A worker helps pay.

Welfare State is close: a system whereby the government undertakes to protect the health and well-being of its citizens, especially those in financial or social need, by means of grants, pensions, and other benefits.

Yet the term, like any social programs, has been give a bad name. "Socialist" remains a dirty, and often misunderstood, term in the realm of US politics. The Cold War, in which animosity and paranoia toward the Soviet Union was pervasive in the US, is largely to thank for that.

During his 2019 State of the Union address, President Donald Trump tapped into these sentiments. "Here, in the United States, we are alarmed by new calls to adopt socialism in our country," Trump said to cheers from many in the audience as he addressed the chaotic situation in Venezuela and alluded to politicians like Ocasio-Cortez. He added, Trump added, "America was founded on liberty and independence - not government coercion, domination, and control. We are born free, and we will stay free. Tonight, we renew our resolve that America will never be a socialist country."

"The academic debates about socialism's 'meaning' are huge and arcane and rife with disagreements, but what all definitions have in common is either the elimination of the market or its strict containment," said political scientist Frances Fox Piven.

The best way to phrase what the actual debate is in America is Democratic socialists. "At the root of our socialism is a profound commitment to democracy, as means and end. As we are unlikely to see an immediate end to capitalism tomorrow, DSA fights for reforms today that will weaken the power of corporations and increase the power of working people."

If any American does Not want to weaken the power and influence of Corporations, stop complaining about lobbyists and Congress.

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Thanks for joining us Rumi...

Do you have a personal definition of capitalism?

A member posted earlier on the underlying connection of capitalism and socialism... It was well worded and of interest...

It is also my understanding that Socialism embraces democracy... But that is straying from the topic of capitalism...

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

It might be difficult to determine how much individual corporations should pay... A flat rate is preferable... Where abouts are you located?

rumitoid

A personal definition for Capitalism? Strange. No need. And of no use. There is too much of its reality to study. Your two subsequent paragraphs suggest either you did not read my post or did not understand it. Nonetheless, glad you're back. Good choice.