I’m proud to be a socialist (note the lower case “s”). “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need” is as valid a motto as “If you don’t work, you don’t eat”, and the two are not necessarily imcompatible.
IT’S THE CONSTITUTION, STUPID. The Preamble states, in part, that the purpose of the document is to promote the GENERAL WELFARE! That is, the government has an OBLIGATION to provide for those who cannot (I do not say “will not”) provide for themselves!
The Constitution may make no provision for government ownership of banks or industry, but does it preclude the idea? Land is commonly held in trust by the government for public use, when circumstances warrant. The Interstate Highway system is maintained by the government, many public utilities are owned and run by state or local governments. Eminent Domain allows governments to appropriate properties for the public benefit, provided the previous owners are adequately compensated. Our currency is issued by the government, so why not nationalize the banks which hold and dispense it? Many agricultural and industrial sectors are heavily subsidized, because “market forces” will not allow them to be profitable, yet the products are important enough that their availability must be protected. Perhaps heavy industry has simply reached the stage where it NEEDS to be nationalized in order to survive.
And remember, in this country “the government” is US. “Of the people, by the people, and for the people.” “Government ownership” is the same as PUBLIC ownership.
charliekane about 15 years ago
Better dead than red, huh guys? ;-)
tracht47 about 15 years ago
O.K. Mr.Bachus, we’re waiting for the names. Put up or shut up.
RussellNash about 15 years ago
Those, who forget the past, are doomed to repeat it, even the stupid parts
fritzoid Premium Member about 15 years ago
I’m proud to be a socialist (note the lower case “s”). “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need” is as valid a motto as “If you don’t work, you don’t eat”, and the two are not necessarily imcompatible.
Motivemagus about 15 years ago
And it’s a free country – to socialists as well as communists as well as Birchers and Birthers. So who cares?
believecommonsense about 15 years ago
And may Bachus earn the same well-deserved fate as McCarthy. Please God.
fritzoid Premium Member about 15 years ago
IT’S THE CONSTITUTION, STUPID. The Preamble states, in part, that the purpose of the document is to promote the GENERAL WELFARE! That is, the government has an OBLIGATION to provide for those who cannot (I do not say “will not”) provide for themselves!
The Constitution may make no provision for government ownership of banks or industry, but does it preclude the idea? Land is commonly held in trust by the government for public use, when circumstances warrant. The Interstate Highway system is maintained by the government, many public utilities are owned and run by state or local governments. Eminent Domain allows governments to appropriate properties for the public benefit, provided the previous owners are adequately compensated. Our currency is issued by the government, so why not nationalize the banks which hold and dispense it? Many agricultural and industrial sectors are heavily subsidized, because “market forces” will not allow them to be profitable, yet the products are important enough that their availability must be protected. Perhaps heavy industry has simply reached the stage where it NEEDS to be nationalized in order to survive.
And remember, in this country “the government” is US. “Of the people, by the people, and for the people.” “Government ownership” is the same as PUBLIC ownership.
Jeffritoman about 15 years ago
Which begs the question, how many fascists are there in Congress?