Socialism on Wall Street?

[mamculuna]

Is it just me, or does it seem ironic to others that it's the greediest of capitalists who made this happen?


Are these the same people who're telling us that only private enterprise can run public education? That we can't possibly have universal health care?

Ah, who would have thought there would be a connection to the McCain campaign?

"I didn't jump to conclusions. I took a small step, and conclusions were there." (Buffy)

Comments

[usedtobeljs]

Well, you know, like they say -- "privatize profits, socialize losses."

Grrrr.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Yeah, great line.

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

All the non-revolutionary nationalizations have been done to rescue ailing capitalists rather than for socialist goals. Even the much vaunted 1945 Labour government in the UK only nationalized complete basket case industries (with overly generous compensation to shareholders of course).

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

That's very interesting. I didn't know that.

How did Canada get their health care system?

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

It's a long story but it wasn't by nationalization. The hospitals were overwhelmingly not for profits built/owned by charities, religious organizations or local communities. They remain so owned but are funded, and to some extent are accountable to, provincial ministries of health. The docs continue to be private practitioners paid on a for service basis by provincial insurance plans. So basically, government took over a large chunk of healthcare funding but didn't by any means take over healthcare.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Still, a far better situation than what's in the US.

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

True but problematic in its own way. The stock reaction here when the fairly severe problems we have are referenced is to to defend it on the grounds that "it's still better than the US". Of course it is. We also have a better public education system too but so so what? Being brighter than the class dunce still doesn't make for a passing grade! We need to look to places like Sweden, Austria and New Zealand to see how we might build a truly world class healthcare system.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Very true. It must be like having the class fuck-up as a brother--if you can walk and chew gum, you're doing better than him.

[erinbow.livejournal.com]

It would have seemed ironic yesterday, but Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild called Obama "an elitist" today, and my irony sensors all blew out.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

I sympathize. It's a hard time to keep them operating.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

The financial stuff so scary! I hope things calm down soon.