Are you a Social Democrat?

[Douglas Carpenter]

By a "Social Democrat" I mean, do you believe that pragmatically speaking the best economy would be a mixture of both capitalism and socialism? I mean by social-democracy perhaps something along the model of some European countries particularly in Scandinavia. There would still be a significant number of privately owned and profit motivated businesses - but with significant reforms to insure that workers had real representation in management as well as protections and job security. It would go without saying that the healthcare system would be mostly socialized guaranteeing adequate healthcare for everyone - but there might be the option for those who can afford it to have their own supplemental insurance for elective procedures. It would go without saying that education would be provided up to the highest levels funded by the democratically elected state - but there probably still would be private, perhaps even private-for-profit schools for those who can afford them and wish them. In other words as a Social Democrat you would support a system that is neither completely capitalist or completely socialist - but one that attempts to balance both individualism and profit motive with altruism and the desire to meet the needs of all for the greater good.

8 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	NO, capitalism is inherently exploitive and must be eradicated in its entirety along with all institutions that sustain class privilege
	2 (25%)
	N0, that model is not realistic or relevant for America which requires a more capitalistic and individualist approach
	0 (0%)
	YES, I am a social-democrat and support social-democracy –Though not perfect – it is the only model that has been shown to actually work
	6 (75%)
	I would really like some really moist freshly baked carrot cake with a small scoop of French vanilla ice cream - served alongside a pumpkin spiced cafe latte
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[grantcart]

1. I am. At a party I try to mix and meet new friends.

[Dwayne Hicks]

2. Proud

Social Democrat!

[LeftishBrit]

3. Yes; support a mixed economy with an emphasis on the public sector but a role for the private sector

I love Scandinavia!

Our system in the UK was pretty much like that from the end of the war until the disastrous changes ushered in by Maggie Thatcher and largely continued by New Labour.

[LuvNewcastle]

4. I really don't know how my political ideas would be classified.

I often think of myself as a socialist, but I'm not one to care about following Marx or anyone else to the letter. I usually find myself agreeing with the Greens, although I've never voted for one of their candidates. I'm not sure if the Greens would be called socialists, social democrats, or something else.

[Flying Squirrel]

5. Damn, you made my mouth water. n/t

[yuiyoshida]

6. You made it so difficult to choose...

My Tummy wants the Carrot cake, and Ice Cream... but you know what? I will pass cause it will probably be difficult to work it off in the morning.

[Warren Stupidity]

7. Yes but I really want the pumpkin latte, that was unfair.

[Douglas Carpenter]

9. well, here you go

[LWolf]

8. Yes, but I still want the carrot cake. nt

[Bunnahabhain]

10. I would prefer a social democracy but...

I do not think many Americans that think they want one really do. Just raise the issue of a VAT to test this out.

[Wounded Bear]

11. Not a fan of lattes in general, so yeah, I'm a Social Democrat...

as opposed to an anti-social republican.

[lumberjack_jeff]

12. "it goes without saying" that push-poll is pushy.

I think that supporting workers is good. I think that single payer health insurance is good. I like public education, and I think that secondary education should be strengthened. I think that taxes should be high enough that it ends the need for a deficit and promotes charitable giving.

But I think the entrepreneurship is a good thing.

[rrneck]

13. If you start with the idea

that it's wrong to profit from human misery, then I think it gets easier to divide up. Stuff that deals with human misery should be socialized, the rest privatized. Health care, social services, defense, law enforcement and incarceration etc. should be the purview of the government.

[Douglas Carpenter]

14. an attempt at some more results

[Zorra]

15. A mixture of 90% socialism and 10% tightly regulated captialism might work for me. nt

[Douglas Carpenter]

16. try again