Sean, Pack, Davo and Z. Z. Diva all made excellent points.
I agree that socialism (even the moderate socialism practiced in much of Europe) is far from perfect. But that's not the real point here. What I am concerned about are the glaring defects of American capitalism. Big money has gotten its hooks deep into the democratic political process, and the average citizen is being fleeced.
As I said in my original post: when business dominates our public policy apparatus, the average citizen no longer holds the reins of power. Let's face it. Business' agenda for us is to work longer hours, for less pay, and less health insurance, and less job security, and . . . well, you get the idea.
Boys, I saw what life was like here thirty and forty years ago. I can tell you that we are getting the shaft today. A man used to be able to raise a middle-class family on average wages. A man could count on a pension, affordable health care, and social security. Those things were NOT outright socialism. They were a modest social safety net. They are not too much to ask for, not in the richest country in the world. And they are going away, bit by bit.
