Quote:
Originally Posted by North of 49
I think it's funny that people don't really understand the definition of socialism and capitalism and what it means to be a conservative. What does that all mean?
We put labels on groups and call them conservative. We label society as capitalist or socialist. Actually in it's current forms it does not really equate to the definitions.
We in North america have never ever been a capitalist society in it's purest form. We pay taxes and when we pay, it's suppose to benefit the majority of society. (even if it doesn't) Canada is a Parliamentary Socialistic Democracy.
Unfortunately in it present form our political system (some) is controlled and covertly influenced by corporations that are self serving.
Money buys influence = Power
So from what we have been told and what really is we're no more free than those poor pheasants during the feudal systems of the past.
I believe the type of society history will say about 21st Century Canada or the western world is that it's oligarchy.
Power is truly with the few with deep pockets.
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I'm sorry but many of your statements simply do not make sense. First of all, capitalism is a vague term and it does indeed describe many of the world's economic systems, INCLUDING Canada's. Canada is not a "socialistic" democracy. We are a capitalistic country with a large welfare safety net. Welfare is "socialistic", but it doesn't mean we're not capitalistic. Capitalism means a system of private ownership of production. You cannot tell me that that does not exist here in Canada. Communism and pure socialism is not capitalism because either the state or the collective own the means of production (capital), but this is not the case in Canada.
As for being "no no more free than those poor pheasants during the feudal systems of the past", I have to disagree. Do you even know the upward social mobility that is in your hands right now just because you are a Canadian citizen? You cannot even begin to compare yourself to a 13th century peasant in western Europe tied to his lord's manor. In Canada you have the freedom to switch jobs if you have the qualifications. If you don't have the qualifications, you can go to school. Don't have money for school? Take out a governmental loan which usually include high levels of subsidies (government grants, interest free periods, University grants, etc) and get that qualifications.
Not to mention that you are free to move around this country and find a different place to live, chose your job, utilize the public health care system, unemployment, etc. Oh and don't even get me started on the wide range of consumer goods that are available to you, non durable and durable. Cheap cars, expensive cars, cheap clothes, expensive clothes, fresh fruit in Winnipeg when it's -40 from the other side of the world, fresh bread every time you walk into the store, fast food that will make you unhealthy or healthy food that will make you gag, delicacies from other cultures, imported tools, oil, chemicals, plastics, you name it! So don't you dare tell me that we are "no more free" than peasants when we have live in an era and country when you have more upward social mobility, luxuries, social safety nets, and comforts than at any other time in history.
The middle class lives better than kings did hundreds of years ago.