I Linux I Lose 😫Apr 17, 2023
Robert Reich

Socialism is a scare word they've hurled at every advance the people have made. Socialism is what they called public power, social security, deposit insurance, and independent labor organizations. Socialism is their name for anything that helps all people.

—Harry Truman, 1952

Apr 17, 2023 at 12:55amWeb
Show threadChaoddityApr 17, 2023
@rbreich as true then as it is now.
A word used by fools, to scare fools.
Show threadmindstorm8191Apr 17, 2023
@chaoddity @rbreich It's not used by fools; don't mistake the difference. But the fools do buy into it, thinking we'll suffer the same fate as USSR if we enact any socialistic ideas. Nevermind that USSR had communism, not socialism, and was corrupt more than anything. But they rely on not separating the two
Show threadSean RawlinsonApr 22, 2023

@mindstorm8191 @chaoddity @rbreich The US already has socialist programs. The US Army, Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, unemployment, the fire department, police, etc.

Don’t forget the US bailed out banks to the tune of like $700 billion. It’s all about privatising the profits and socialising the losses.

Show threadChaoddityApr 22, 2023
@seanrawlinson @mindstorm8191 @rbreich libraries and schools, which they are actively waging a war against.
Show threadL0v3l4c3 🌹Apr 17, 2023
@rbreich and they don't even know the true definition of socialism as some very capitalist countries and economies have many of these public power features.
Show threadAnneApr 17, 2023
@rbreich Socialism isn’t the big boogeyman.
Show threadBlueBoomerApr 17, 2023
@rbreich anyone who throws around the words socialism and communism should be asked to define them.
Show threadEmmaApr 17, 2023
@rbreich I'm sorry I'm a Chinese, China is a socialist country, what I know is that 90% of the people in my country live a good life, it's not like many people think that there are still many people in China who don't have enough to eat, The development of China in the past few decades is unimaginable, what do you think of China, we can discuss it
Show threadMad Dog Ace RunApr 17, 2023
@419837036
The problem with China right now is the lack of human rights, the oppression of the Uyghurs and Xi getting cozy with Putin and terrorist Russia. Also the threats to Taiwan are not helping either.
Show threadEmmaApr 17, 2023
@Bringiton In fact, it is not what you imagined. China is different from Russia. What you hear is some one-sided news. You can only know the truth when you have experienced it yourself. I can’t blame you because I have lived in China since I was a child. I know it very well. Just like before I came to the United States, I had a lot of misunderstandings about the United States. I now know that most people in the United States have very good misunderstandings, but we can still be good friends if
Show threadMad Dog Ace RunApr 17, 2023

@419837036
Sorry but I am not buying it. All media in China is strictly controlled. But you can believe what you want to believe.

Why is China always talking about its great relationship with Russia? Russia is a terrorist state.

Why is China oppressing the Uyghurs and putting them in prison camps?

BTW, I work for Chinese people who are American citizens. No way they would ever return to live there.

Show threadMad Dog Ace RunApr 17, 2023
@419837036
Remind me about all of the press freedom in China. Nope, there is none. Also look at what China did to Hong Kong, stripping people of their rights. If you want to push your propaganda here expect people to push back.
Show threadDawidApr 17, 2023
@419837036 China is an autocratic regime, that limits human right, that is spying on people, that is stopping bigger protests with force, that is blocking people from doing what they want, that is strictly censoring internet, that is banning people because they told the truth that is inconvenient for the regime.
Show threadComrade WeezMay 15, 2023
@419837036 @rbreich the problem with China is not socialism, it is authoritarianism.
Show threadMarcos DuranApr 17, 2023
@rbreich spot on
Show threadAlexa Fleckenstein M.D.Apr 17, 2023
@rbreich ... Harry was right ...
Show threadAdam R. WoodApr 17, 2023
@doctoralexa @rbreich "I never gave anybody hell. I gave them the truth and they thought it was hell." - also Truman
Show threadJW prince of CPHApr 17, 2023
@rbreich - which they then mixed with racism; it's documented that many Americans will reject an initiative that benefit themselves if they think it also benefits black people...
Show threadFrank SchmidtApr 17, 2023

@rbreich
As an experiment I let an AI evaluate this statement:

"While the statement makes a fair point that the "socialism" label is sometimes abused, its arguments come across as rather absolutist or maximalist themselves. Nuance, balance, judicious limits, and specific examples would improve the persuasiveness and rationale of the position in my view. But it highlights a reasonable perspective, even if overstated."

https://poe.com/s/gq2yzaoRq1CwNxsOKNAs

Please evaluate this statement: "Socialism is a scare word they've hurled at every advance the people have made. Socialism is what they called public power, social security, deposit insurance, and ind

Claude-instant: " This statement seems to make three main arguments in favor of socialism or at least social democratic policies and government programs that promote social welfare: 1) The accusation

Show threadDoug 🌈🇨🇦 Apr 17, 2023
@rbreich
Odd that corporate bailouts aren't socialism. In any case an economy with higher taxes, solid social programs and government administered Healthcare performs better in the long run. Except for the billionaires, who lose.
Show threaddprk_ebooksApr 22, 2023
@Oldfartrant @rbreich with only a superficial moment of thought bailouts feel like state capitalism which aids the concentration of capital rather than socialism which would aid it's dispersal
Show threadneuronApr 17, 2023

@rbreich Language is alive and socialism can mean a lot of things.
I was wondering who are "they" (and who is "we" respectively)
Context to this quote is provided here: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/truman-socialism-scare-word/

To me socialism means balancing and favouring the common good instead of radical individualism. Respecting that I could have been anyone on this world and that luck is a big factor of being privileged. I want to live in a world where those with less luck are not as disadvantaged and vice versa.

Did Harry Truman Denounce the Use of 'Socialism' as a 'Scare Word'?

"Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people."

Snopes
Show threadKakerApr 17, 2023
@rbreich that's the very definition, to work towards the social good, for the benefit of everyone.
Show threadAviva GaryApr 17, 2023
@rbreich pretty much
Show threadThe Doctor Is InMay 15, 2023
@rbreich
One of the greatest successes of the right wing has been to persuade ordinary people that they should be frightened of socialism, when it is actually their best chance at having a financially secure life.
Show threadCoo-OpsMay 15, 2023
@FamousTeacherGaz @rbreich socialised services seem to work pretty alright in Sweden and Germany. Even Australia’s semi socialised system works great if it weren’t for the fact funding hasn’t increased in recent history. We don’t have to commit to full socialism, just to better healthcare and education outcomes for all.