Talking with a Canadian about Socialism, etc...

Here is part of a conversation I'm having with Nathan from Canada.  His questions are good and I hope to discuss more with him. 


Nathan

First of all Jon, I would like to thank you for responding to my comment. Second, I would like to state that I don't appreciate the fact that some of the people who don't agree with your politics are attacking you personally instead of fully explaining what it is they're getting at. I do respect you as a human being, and I admire your technical abilities as an artist. And I think its cool that you paint for what you believe in, I think more people should do that.
I'm not out to prove you wrong, but to provoke thought and dialogue. Its the only way you or I, a Conservative or a Liberal , can truly explore and validate our own convictions.


Jon

I appreciate the kind of debate you are offering.  This is why I am taking the time to respond to you, because you seem open-minded.

Nathan

To answer your first question, I don't think that people always literally use the name of capitalism in their conquest of land, resources, freedom, or commerce - but I do think that the type of Capitalism we see today does in fact provoke violent relationships, and maintain imbalances of power.

Jon

The kind of capitalism we see today is in fact evil.  It is called “crony capitalism.”  [Special interest groups making backroom deals to gain power in Washington.] This has led to much misery in the world.  I believe many wars and injustices are caused by such insidious villains; and this is not just Democrat or Republican. 

Nathan

That doesn't necessarily mean that I'm suggesting that 'communism' is the answer. People often assume that you are either 'this,' or 'that,' when it comes to politics, but I would like for us all to get beyond that dichotomy.
I can understand your sentiment towards Privatization as the alternative to Government Control. I also believe in small government, and I don't think that the Government should have a hand in every aspect of our lives, (if any.) 

Jon

It sounds like you believe in free market and freedom, but at the same time want to open the door for Socialism? I believe capitalism is by pure definition-- freedom. Communism is about control. Socialism is between the two. The free exchange of goods without government intervention (capitalism) leads to not only the economic improvement of society but the development of mankind in general.  Without the self interest of the individual you can not motivate a society to improve her self.  This is not the kind of self interest that destroys others, but seeks to achieve one’s own ambition, sell at a profit and bring something of value to everyone. History is on the side of this.

Now, as for the cure…The difference between the kind of capitalism used throughout the world versus what we have in the US is the Constitution that I always talk about. America’s form of government was different than any other in world history.  Why do you think America has become so prosperous and successful in the past?  Our current prosperity is an illusion.  When you consider our staggering debts, this is not a model for greatness.  When our country began to stray from the original tenants of the Constitution, defined as limited, Republic form of government, we opened the door to corruption.  Originally the constitution was supposed to protect the citizens from any kind of abuse that may have occurred under capitalism by protecting the rights of the individual. Our current form of government is more Socialistic in that it focuses on the rights of the collective.  We have become a democratic socialized country. Now we have repeatedly amended it and blown so many holes through it as to allow sleazy politicians and special interest groups to get their way. We’ve introduced socialist programs that have sapped the life blood of our country (We could write pages on that too.) We now have multitudes of Socialists claiming, “See…capitalism doesn’t work!  Try our way.” There is indisputable evidence that most of the changes that have derailed our country were orchestrated by Communist and Socialist activists since the early twentieth century. The solution is to return to the limited government that worked so well.  Let the free market do its thing.  Let “We the People” do our thing and keep government out of the way, except where individual rights are being trampled.  Allow the states to make their own decisions not expressly defined in the Constitution.  You do that and NOTHING can compete against a capitalistic society. 

Nathan

But we do have healthcare here in Canada, and although its not perfect, (what is?) it does work fine.
I think that this ObamaCare thing is blown out of proportion. Someday, I would hope that healthcare would be a worldwide human right. The main problem with healthcare here, (besides wait-times which are a minor issue in the grand scope of things,) is that it drives up the taxes on products like Alcohol, and Cigarettes. But this makes sense to me. And Canada is just as Capitalist as the United States
I feel that there are larger issues to focus on. I see more people slamming Obama in the so-called liberal media for ObamaCare then I did for Bush's War on Iraq, (that was considered an illegal/criminal action by the rest of the world.) I think that this could be the result of people propagating against Obama in general, because he is a Democrat, and the Government has been Republican for so long.


Jon

Canada has had their socialized healthcare since 1984.  The result is long wait times which can be life threatening.  A famous quote by a Canadian Dr. Brian Day, "This is a country in which dogs can get a hip replacement in under a week and in which humans can wait two-to-three years." http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/28/international/americas/28canada.html?_r=1&ei=5090&en=ad12dcee61e8b584&ex=1298782800&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

I would read the following article why socialized healthcare is not a good idea. http://www.city-journal.org/html/17_3_canadian_healthcare.html

I don’t deny that our healthcare needs some fixing to help with cost reduction, but to hand it over to the federal government with its history of bungling bureaucratic agencies was shortsighted.

I also view this differently in how you call healthcare a “worldwide human right.”  I view “rights” as something that is unalienable and God given.  They are something you are born with—such as the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of property.  Not something that must be taken from one person to guarantee the comfort of another, which is what occurs under a socialized healthcare system.  Of course, society should consider the needs and healthcare of the needy.  This is called charity.  Our country would be in far better condition today without the welfare programs. http://www.cato.org/pubs/policy_report/cpr-18n6-1.html

You said, “I see more people slamming Obama in the so-called liberal media for ObamaCare then I did for Bush's War on Iraq, (that was considered an illegal/criminal action by the rest of the world.) “  I’m not sure what you’ve been watching, but the mainstream media is certainly in Obama’s court here in the US.  Bush was crucified by the media when he was in office.

The anger against Obama isn’t because he’s Democrat.  Conservatives are upset at the way he’s pushed through his agenda of Obamacare and used failed economic policies that have literally brought our country to its knees.