The Rise of Social Democracy in America

[concrete]

America is about to change. Many of the policies espoused by social democrats in the first half of the 20th century have been put into practice by social democratic governments throughout the industrialized world. Industries have been nationalized, public spending has seen a large long-term rise, and the role of the state in providing free-to-user or subsidized health care and education has increased tremendously. Many of the reforms made by social democrats in Europe, such as the establishment of national health care services, have been embraced by liberals and conservatives, and there is no support outside of a radical fringe for a return to 19th-century levels of public spending and economic regulation - and for good reason - health care costs, spread over the entire electorate, are no longer a burden to business. Here in the United States, we have embraced a number of features of Social Democracy such as public health and environmental protection, and have even instituted some aspects of the broad social solutions seen in Europe via Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, which both enjoy bipartisan support to the point the Right Wing, despite every effort, has been unable to derail them for decades.

In general, contemporary Social Democrats support:

A mixed economy consisting of both private enterprise and government-owned or subsidized programs of education, health care, child care and related social services for all citizens.

An extensive system of social security (although usually not to the extent advocated by socialists), with the stated goal of counteracting the effects of poverty and insuring the citizens against loss of income following illness, unemployment or retirement.

Government bodies that regulate private enterprise in the interests of workers and consumers by ensuring labor rights, consumer protections, and fair market competition over the interests of wealth and capital.

Environmentalism and environmental protection laws; for example, funding for alternative energy resources and laws designed to combat global warming.
A value-added/progressive taxation system to fund government expenditures.

A secular and progressive social policy, although this varies markedly in degree.

A respect for all cultures in a given society

Fair trade over free trade.

A foreign policy supporting the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and where possible, effective Multilateralism and negotiation, and an avoidance of Triumphalism and Exceptionalism.

Advocacy of social justice, human rights, social rights, civil rights and civil liberties.

Are you ready? It's on its way, and it sounds like a better world to me.

[freakscene]

actually

most of the world is moving away from Socialism because most of the world has already seen it fail miserably

In general, contemporary Social Democrats support:

marxism

[freakscene]

here

dont let reality get in your way though

[aiki14]

Concrete, one thing in that manifesto (forgive me) that I find bothersome is the rejection of exceptionalism. Unless I am misunderstanding the term in this context, which is possible, I am totally against that. I strive, as I think most people in this game do, to be exceptional. I want exceptional people to lead us, and to be our scientists and teachers etc. A system that suppresses this seems unattractive to me.
I believe in equality and am pretty liberal socially, but I want the culture to respect and encourage individual achievement.

[concrete]

It is directed at a concept called "American Exceptionalism". I believe if you reread the sentence I used the word in and consider the context it will be clear. From the wikipedia article:

In recent years, the term has been used to describe an alleged phenomenon wherein certain political interests, to include the George W. Bush Administration, along with Americans subscribing to the political theory of neoconservativism, along with certain other US individuals and interests, allegedly view the United States as somehow being "above" or being an "exception" to the law, specifically the Law of Nations.[29] (This phenomenon might be called a priori exceptionalism or "neoexceptionalism".) Though this new use of the term has come into wide use in certain circles, it has served to confuse the topic and muddy the waters surrounding the traditional use of the term. This is due to the fact that a large number of persons who believe in what might be termed "traditional American exceptionalism" or a posteriori exceptionalism - the idea that America is a unique nation - that it differs qualitatively from the rest of the world - and has played a unique role in world history - also agree that the United States is and ought to be fully subject to and bound by the public international law. Individuals who subscribe to this point of view opine that America's exception is found in her history and behavior, not the laws she is subject to.

I probably should have used the more commonly understood term "jingosim".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism

Some say Social Democracy means a "Nanny State". This country needs a nanny, in fact, after Iraq, we could use a damn good national "stick your nose in the corner" punishment.

[freakscene]

the idea that America is a unique nation - that it differs qualitatively from the rest of the world

no doubt "democrats" AKA neocommies disagree with this

[concrete]

Originally Posted by freakscene

no doubt "democrats" AKA neocommies disagree with this

I don't see anything that stifles individual exceptionalism in the context of what was posted. On the other hand the jingoistic concept that I mentioned or "our country is so Fn much better than everyone else's" is one that is an outmoded model in a global society.
The balance of free enterprise and the focus on schools allows those who are gifted and truly exceptional to grow and flourish.

[freakscene]

Originally Posted by concrete

On the other hand the jingoistic concept that I mentioned or "our country is so Fn much better than everyone else's" is one that is an outmoded model in a global society.

well, thats certain something today's enlightened liberal movement agrees with

no difference between America.............and Venezuala.............and Cuba..........and North Korea...........and Zimbabwe

especially after the current party in power is done enacting their policies

[BlackholeDivestment]

The moment you consume your own bullshit, you die. When the individual is dead, so goes the New World Order lie. There is a problem though, there is one that is not full of bullshit and is the truth. Persons that sacrifice the truth are compromised by their own delusion, they are dead. If the foundation of law is accepted to be a New World Order, a lie and persons seek to sustain a New World Order above the truth based on a compromise designed to extend the short pathetic life of a lie ...at the expense of the truth, it will not be anything new will it? Judgment never escapes it's claim.

Only a fool stands in agreement with a compromised principle ...thinking to escape judgment. The weak and delusional crowd shall fall ...as a thief comes upon the moment of burden, time robbed from their own life for ever, all for a pathetic call to sustain their own image above the will of the truth.

The mark of the beast is defined by debt, a self devouring principle that consumes the beast. The time of the City of Babylon is now upon this generation, it is the New World Order social economic global inversion now at hand, which is setting up the New Deal offer for every individual on Earth. No one will be legally able to buy sell or trade independent from the mark of debt that has been intentionally placed inside the system for the sake of the collective New World Order persons.

The call for a Pearl Harbor event has been offered before ...as a means to implement security measures to enforce rules designed to ensure control over individual liberty, freedom and justice.

Socialism is fascism, there is no liberty in it, it assures poverty and offers all manner of perversion. One thing it can't stand is perfection or the truth and the world is already witness to the Yahoos that will imprison or slaughter persons in agreement with the truth. We already suffer the jealous wrath of so called progressives that will surrender an individual in order to sustain the communist bottom line.

Fear not, there is no need to destroy socialists, they are on a suicide mission. The dumb bastards have destroyed their own rate of return, at this point there is no escaping the commie bastards rule. Just stand fast, do no harm and excuse the horror show. It will not last beyond a few years, it has laid the foundation for great tribulation and it will give birth to the return of truth, after it offers a ridiculous claim of peace and safety.
Pathetic commie bastards are no different than Wal Mart shoppers and the two political parties at peace with the New World Order. From Hillary's cankles and the Scull on the Bonehead Bush, to the kneeling knot-heads and the stinking pews, they all sold out the truth.