passport to Utopia

Originally posted by scherzo
Is America not an imperial country?

Hardly.

Originally posted by generalissimo
no.

or at least not anymore.

when was it?

Originally posted by whodey
Socialism is the politically corect form of government now days. The gospel of socialism dictates that ONLY when the world becomes dominated by socialism will there be a utopia. Socialism is the way, the truth, and the life. Anyone who desires to enter therin must come through the doors of socialism. So let it be written, so let it be done.


Edit: Su ...[text shortened]... rd of any recent attempts to get to the US via life rafts from Cuba. At least we can say that!!

You forgot to mention the great Robert Mugabe.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
Socialism is far too diverse to be considered a single form of government. It's like treating all 1. e4 openings the same. In Holland alone there are six different parties in parliament incorporating different aspects of socialism.

So, there are hundreds of strain so influenza! They all make you sick.

Originally posted by FMF
Don't you concede, at the very least - even with your misgivings - that the situation now in Venezuela is better than it was in the period leading up to Chavez's election?

It is not surprising that nationalizing wealthy industries and then doling out the proceeds may produce temporary gains. The trouble is you can only steal everything once.

The European and American model works better, where you bleed the rich and gradually take control of productive entities while leaving the impression they are still capitalistic. The end result is the same, although delayed in the US and European models.

Originally posted by scherzo
Is America not an imperial country?

Canada is. They still use the Imperial Gallon.

Originally posted by scherzo
Is America not an imperial country?

Normbenign: "Hardly."

Yeah, never mind the American Indians, Spanish, Mexicans, Filipinos, Panama, Berlin, Korea, Iran, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Hawaii, Granada, Cuba, Iraq...aw forget it. It's hard to see with the blinders on.

Originally posted by Badwater
Normbenign: "Hardly."

Yeah, never mind the American Indians, Spanish, Mexicans, Filipinos, Panama, Berlin, Korea, Iran, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Hawaii, Granada, Cuba, Iraq...aw forget it. It's hard to see with the blinders on.

Yeah, but never the less you are proud to be an American....so you say.

GRANNY

Originally posted by normbenign
The European and American model works better, where you bleed the rich and gradually take control of productive entities while leaving the impression they are still capitalistic. The end result is the same, although delayed in the US and European models.

You're suggesting the Venezuelan oligarchs were having a tough time of it in pre-Chavez days? Well, well. The more we glimpse the reality of your "economic vision" for democratic society (amidst the thicket of ahistorical assertions) the more ugly and repulsive it seems. How are you going to impose your test-tubery on all those real live people out there. Force, I suppose. You do, after all, claim to have "Rightness, Human Nature and Justice" on your side. Put a "hero" like Oliver North in charge. Mine the harbours etc.

Originally posted by normbenign
So, there are hundreds of strain so influenza! They all make you sick.

Well, some 1. e4 openings are good, some are bad. You seem to be focusing on the 1. e4 h5 and 1. e4 a5 openings and ignoring 1. e4 c5. There are plenty of European countries which have a higher standard of living than the US, not because they're richer (although some are), but because they have combined the useful aspects of socialism and capitalism.

Originally posted by smw6869
Yeah, but never the less you are proud to be an American....so you say.

GRANNY

Yes, I am as of Jan 20th.

Originally posted by Badwater
Yes, I am as of Jan 20th.

Despite our past and present imperialism? You are a strange Bird.

GRANNY.

Originally posted by generalissimo
your support for this socialist country going backwords doesn't surprise me.

manipulation of the ignorant masses to get the constitution to be accepted, nice.

viva la dictadura!

Your idea, often stated, that election results which vary from what you would like to see = dictatorship is bizarrely stupid.

Here's a brief review of Bolivia's new Constitution which has been passed by the elected legislative branch and by referendum of the people in true dictatorial style: http://nacla.org/node/5437
What exactly is soooooooooooooooooo objectionable about it to you right wing types? A civil libertarian could object that it doesn't provide for true reproductive freedom and marriage rights to gays (somewhat understandable in such a heavily Roman Catholic country) but that would hardly upset right wingers.

Originally posted by FMF
Don't you concede, at the very least - even with your misgivings - that the situation now in Venezuela is better than it was in the period leading up to Chavez's election?

venezuela was a mess before, and its a undeclared police state now. hows that better? it went from being bad, to being bad and socialist.

Originally posted by normbenign
when was it?

during the early 20th century.