General Discussion

socialist_n_TN

(11,481 posts)

97. But it never works for very long, relative to history......

Tue Feb 11, 2014, 09:45 PM

Feb 2014

One nice thing about being a historical materialist of the Marxian system is that you get trained to look at things in a long term manner. And that "heavily regulated capitalism" never works over the long haul.

Just in the relatively recent American history, this is the third time that capitalism has run amok. Twice before (ending the Gilded Age and the FDR reforms of the New Deal), the people have been able to restrain and "regulate" capitalism. The jury is still out as to whether the people can do it again this third time. But even if we do pull the capitalists back from the brink of pushing us into barbarism using some sort of regulation, what then? History teaches us that they won't EVER stop pushing for their deregulated and "unfettered" system. And because they HAVE all the money which equates to all of the power (or at least most of the power), eventually we'll be back in the same place we were in the Gilded Age or the Great Depression. Or now. So we "regulate" capitalism, leave it in place and our children or grandchildren get to fight this same battle all over again.

History teaches that regulating capitalism is like riding a hungry tiger. It's VERY difficult to do and you're always in danger of being eaten.

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The Extreme Left! [View all] JRLeft Feb 2014 OP

I support extreme left policies like Medicare and Social Security. I'm a radical. Scuba Feb 2014 #1

+1 JRLeft Feb 2014 #3

+2 roguevalley Feb 2014 #94

+3 Enthusiast Feb 2014 #161

+4 ReRe Feb 2014 #208

The extreme left holds the monopoly on good ideas. TheMathieu Feb 2014 #2

I am anti-war unless we are attacked here. JRLeft Feb 2014 #4

Me too. And no more FAKE ATTACKS used to justify preemptive wars of choice! Enthusiast Feb 2014 #162

I should add lifting the cap on social security and implementing medicare for all or some JRLeft Feb 2014 #5

I should add my support for those extreme left positions. Enthusiast Feb 2014 #163

Extremists we are then. JRLeft Feb 2014 #168

+1 El_Johns Feb 2014 #243

no..extreme left is more like PETA and people who have beachbum bob Feb 2014 #6

I know that, but the EPA of late has been a corporate rubber stamp, so don't assume I JRLeft Feb 2014 #8

I would add The Straight Story Feb 2014 #12

Bloomberg is Extreme Left? truebluegreen Feb 2014 #40

Bloomberg is a nanny state republican. JRLeft Feb 2014 #45

It's amazing how many DU'ers go off the right's definition of "the left" Scootaloo Feb 2014 #81

Not me. 8-) NancyDL Feb 2014 #105

Yieks yeoman6987 Feb 2014 #65

Um...I don't The Straight Story Feb 2014 #87

You've Done a Pretty Good Job Here, Friend... NancyDL Feb 2014 #104

rec for "bozo eruption". nm rhett o rick Feb 2014 #206

Sorry, you have your "extremists" positions miscatorized wrt to the Left. 2banon Feb 2014 #180

Obama did mention recently that he was significantly to the right of Richard Milhous Nixon Fumesucker Feb 2014 #38

And he is 30 years ago Obama and Clinton would be republicans, they are to JRLeft Feb 2014 #39

Eisenhower would now be considered an Extreme Leftist by today's standards frylock Feb 2014 #75

They wouldn't even qualify as "Rockefeller Republicans" n/t dflprincess Feb 2014 #128

A Rockefeller Republican was governor of Arkansas back in the late '60s Art_from_Ark Feb 2014 #167

While we are making these declarations, we also need to realize .... Demenace Feb 2014 #60

"Anarchist tendencies" being defined as opposing the military industrial complex. JoeyT Feb 2014 #80

You just self identified.. Demenace Feb 2014 #85

Yeah, I'm good with having anarchist tendencies. JoeyT Feb 2014 #93

+1 JRLeft Feb 2014 #95

All DU trolls are... ReRe Feb 2014 #211

"self identified" and the use of "affliction" HangOnKids Feb 2014 #209

What do you mean, "We", Stranger? NancyDL Feb 2014 #106

Dragging us down what road? NancyDL Feb 2014 #110

Corporate elite have collaborated worldwide and has decided they no what is best for the rest of us. JRLeft Feb 2014 #112

Omfg anarchist tendencies! Warren Stupidity Feb 2014 #188

Please give me a specific example of what you mean by "anarchist tendencies". /nt Marr Feb 2014 #236

There are a lot of things that happened that got Bush elected. Blaming the left is asinine. rhett o rick Feb 2014 #205

Then PUT UP your OWN candidate and see how far THAT gets us! VanillaRhapsody Feb 2014 #229

I think we have some of those! VanillaRhapsody Feb 2014 #228

proud extreme leftist here! liberal_at_heart Feb 2014 #7

"Extreme Left" is an empty pejorative used by right-wing Democrats Maedhros Feb 2014 #9

^^^THIS^^^^ bvar22 Feb 2014 #20

It's used in exactly the same way that "Liberal" was used by Republicans. [n/t] Maedhros Feb 2014 #54

Some democrats hated the word liberal too and used it as a bludgeoning tool in primaries. JRLeft Feb 2014 #56

+a zillion truebluegreen Feb 2014 #42

^^^^this^^^^ yes really ^^^^this^^^^ L0oniX Feb 2014 #58

Actually, the DLC called it "The Loony Left".... Spitfire of ATJ Feb 2014 #59

On DU I prefer to refer to the right-wing Democrats as liberal bashers, it's what they like to do. A Simple Game Feb 2014 #68

So what are you going to do about it.....Punch all the Wishy Washy VanillaRhapsody Feb 2014 #231

First I would start out by insulting all the low information wishy washy voters. A Simple Game Feb 2014 #232

It's bizarre. Right-wing Democrats constantly demonstrate how Marr Feb 2014 #238

And they are necessarily upset when republicans win. JRLeft Feb 2014 #239

Right wing Democrats offer no alternative to the Republicans they run against and then A Simple Game Feb 2014 #242

word up frylock Feb 2014 #76

I just describe myself as a Standard-Issue Leftist� Eleanors38 Feb 2014 #89

Monopoly... NancyDL Feb 2014 #107

It sure feels like the plutocrats are playing a board game with our lives. JRLeft Feb 2014 #109

Yet they worry. Eleanors38 Feb 2014 #155

Those deriding the "Extreme Left" on this forum don't even know what "Extreme Left" means. Maedhros Feb 2014 #118

To some here, LBJ is a bomb-throwing socialist. Eleanors38 Feb 2014 #156

Ain't that the truth helping the poor, how dare he? JRLeft Feb 2014 #157

No, it just means those in the most leftward five or ten percent treestar Feb 2014 #120

"Crying and blaming." Maedhros Feb 2014 #159

oh boy. 2banon Feb 2014 #184

Nailed it! n/t dflprincess Feb 2014 #131

+1 LWolf Feb 2014 #166

"empty pejorative used by right-wing Democrats" - Well said Maedhros 2banon Feb 2014 #183

are you trying to say that "right-wing Democrats" isn't a pejorative? VanillaRhapsody Feb 2014 #227

the reference is considered a badge of honor for them. They call themselves "Blue Dogs". 2banon Feb 2014 #234

I keep hearing this "rumor" that there are these Democrats at DU VanillaRhapsody Feb 2014 #240

I have no idea what you're talking about.. I think you should leave me out of this. 2banon Feb 2014 #244

Perhaps you shouldn't have responded to me first... VanillaRhapsody Feb 2014 #245

Well said. nm rhett o rick Feb 2014 #207

Exactly! Perfectly said! Enthusiast Feb 2014 #212

and "right-wing Democrat" isn't meant as a pejorative? VanillaRhapsody Feb 2014 #230

None of that stuff is extremist at all. Jamaal510 Feb 2014 #10

I do not mind working with others, I have a problem beginning negotiations from the center right and JRLeft Feb 2014 #11

I used to hold the position that compromise was necessary, but after 30 years of liberal_at_heart Feb 2014 #13

So you are happy with getting none of what you want? eom. 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #17

Happy, no.... daleanime Feb 2014 #193

Is there nothing this administration has done ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #198

Better.... daleanime Feb 2014 #224

It's just the adult thing treestar Feb 2014 #123

+1 ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #16

It makes him a progressive AgingAmerican Feb 2014 #31

Progressive and extremist ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #37

I am a guy. I posted this so you would not have to post he/she again. JRLeft Feb 2014 #43

Okay ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #82

No problem. JRLeft Feb 2014 #90

There is nothing extreme about being a progressive AgingAmerican Feb 2014 #79

Agreed ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #86

Agreed. Extremists don't care about everyone. Just being perfect. n/t freshwest Feb 2014 #98

Then WHY is it that the people you are calling "Extreme Left" are ALWAYS the ones.. bvar22 Feb 2014 #25

that is my problem with "compromise" justabob Feb 2014 #50

Compromise means those of us on the left give while the other side concedes nothing. JRLeft Feb 2014 #52

IOW, capitulation, surrender. n/t Egalitarian Thug Feb 2014 #57

Spot on. JRLeft Feb 2014 #63

And when we're being pushed to "compromise" they tell us there aren't enough of us to matter dflprincess Feb 2014 #134

Yep, just shut and do what your told. I am sick of that crap! JRLeft Feb 2014 #137

It is a numbers game ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #88

The fantasy is that the people's vote actually matters. that's the fantasy 2banon Feb 2014 #189

That's not true ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #190

You mean Socialists Libertarians? 2banon Feb 2014 #192

compromise to them is allowing republicans to spit in our faces and we graciously get to say thanks frwrfpos Feb 2014 #141

Because there are way more of **US** than there are of **YOU** ConservativeDemocrat Feb 2014 #204

Funny, because when you ask issue by issue they are with me and not with you. JRLeft Feb 2014 #214

You must despise FDR, Eisesnhower, and Truman. Damn those socialists with their big JRLeft Feb 2014 #216

FDR imprisoned tens of thousands of americans, Truman dropped the bomb, EIsenhower was Republican ConservativeDemocrat Feb 2014 #235

Everyone I listed is owned by Wall St. And Obama has killed thousands with drone strikes and one JRLeft Feb 2014 #237

Argument by non-specific assertion isn't persuasive ConservativeDemocrat Feb 2014 #241

DESPERATELY needed dose of hard reality. Way too little of that around here. Thanks for that Number23 Feb 2014 #217

Actually, when asked issue by issue they agree with me, but the word liberal has been demonized and JRLeft Feb 2014 #219

Whether that's true or not is irrelevant. The poster posted a clear link to an issue where Number23 Feb 2014 #220

That is because of the talking heads, but once again time after time again, people agree with people JRLeft Feb 2014 #223

I have met a number of self proclaimed moderates who fit the definition of extremist you provide Bjorn Against Feb 2014 #34

Nice post, Jamaal. The "dislikes moderates" is pretty much the point blank definition of Number23 Feb 2014 #115

No, its dislike of trojan horse democrats that push for a corporate conservative agenda Armstead Feb 2014 #147

You need to look up the frequently used though wildly moronic phrase Number23 Feb 2014 #148

Sure some of us (me included) get a bit carried away on both sides Armstead Feb 2014 #149

I don't perceive the issues you raised as being "extreme left" Number23 Feb 2014 #151

Of course, you (and Jamal) are correct ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #165

All you, I, and others is asking the party to do is to JRLeft Feb 2014 #152

I don't think the difference with "moderate" is the same as with "centrist" Armstead Feb 2014 #146

It's not one's ideology that gets one labeled "Extreme Left" "Far Left" or "Purist" BrotherIvan Feb 2014 #14

Ummm, No! eom 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #19

What are the right persons, exactly? Aerows Feb 2014 #111

I have no idea ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #116

Really? Aerows Feb 2014 #117

Spoke passionately? ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #124

Tactics? n/t Aerows Feb 2014 #132

Yes, tactics ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #136

That is an enlightened thing to say Aerows Feb 2014 #138

I have no doubt that we will get to that world ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #142

Good words Aerows Feb 2014 #143

I my wildest fantasy ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #144

You and me both Aerows Feb 2014 #145

On DU, definately AgingAmerican Feb 2014 #32

You clearly are NOT to be taken seriously... stillwaiting Feb 2014 #15

The corporate posters have become parodies of themselves. woo me with science Feb 2014 #18

Agreed, unlike you or I they view Goldman Sachs as an ally and not an enemy. JRLeft Feb 2014 #22

They could afford it, but nobody important is going to suffer any consequences for using it, Egalitarian Thug Feb 2014 #28

I gave up on being the extreme left. SamKnause Feb 2014 #21

It is our job to bring it back to it's core values. JRLeft Feb 2014 #24

This nation was conceived and founded by extremist, radical, terrorists, who committed treason, Egalitarian Thug Feb 2014 #23

I am a pround egalitarian myself. JRLeft Feb 2014 #26

In the end, it's the most important goal. True, literal equality is essential to success, Egalitarian Thug Feb 2014 #36

This is important, I understand that there will be people who will have more but JRLeft Feb 2014 #44

And that is simply not possible in an egalitarian environment. The idea of anyone having that much Egalitarian Thug Feb 2014 #55

Equality scares the greedy, the word equality is viewed as evil. JRLeft Feb 2014 #61

No, they did agree to have a government treestar Feb 2014 #126

Says you and nobody else. They were called all of those things and more, and had we lost, Egalitarian Thug Feb 2014 #129

Hear, Here! 2banon Feb 2014 #191

He probably has no idea why people fled to America in the first place. Rex Feb 2014 #225

I think the word extreme, like the word hero, no longer has much meaning. Bandit Feb 2014 #27

When wanting to throw white collar criminals in prison is considered extreme something is wrong. JRLeft Feb 2014 #29

I am sure alot of what the Teabaggers support can find common ground VanillaRhapsody Feb 2014 #30

I'm a latte sippin', Birkenstock wearin', steely eyed tree hugger. idendoit Feb 2014 #33

How dare you, you love the planet! JRLeft Feb 2014 #35

You used to be near midfield ... Martin Eden Feb 2014 #41

I know, but if you were to ask Rahm Emmanuel you and I would be viewed as crazies. JRLeft Feb 2014 #71

No! That is dangerous. That is just real left. Don't let anyone, even DUers change the spectrum. cui bono Feb 2014 #46

Agreed, I was being sarcastic because that label has thrown around a lot on DU JRLeft Feb 2014 #47

Yeah, they try to discredit us any way possible. But we can't give them an inch. n/t cui bono Feb 2014 #91

Give them an inch and they will take a mile. JRLeft Feb 2014 #169

The Political Spectrum has moved so far to the Conservative Right in the last 30 years... bvar22 Feb 2014 #48

The only way to get some sense of norlmacy is to get the money out of politics. JRLeft Feb 2014 #49

Don't forget pro-union! Rex Feb 2014 #51

Definately pro democracy in the workplace. JRLeft Feb 2014 #53

Ike would be a considered extreme leftist to some of these so called Democrats. JEB Feb 2014 #62

K&R! Phlem Feb 2014 #64

What's always slayed me is that the use of that description identifies the user more accurately stupidicus Feb 2014 #66

Equal rights was extreme left. L0oniX Feb 2014 #67

It still is to a lot of people. But not to people with common sense. JRLeft Feb 2014 #69

"common sense" pathetically absent in the idiot nation. L0oniX Feb 2014 #70

Me, too! ybbor Feb 2014 #72

I agree with your positions above. JRLeft Feb 2014 #73

When I describe my political views to pepole ybbor Feb 2014 #108

I'm so goddam extreme I am against not having the backbone to resist taking food stamps jtuck004 Feb 2014 #74

We do not need food stamps we need more corporate welfare. JRLeft Feb 2014 #77

We were promised, it will trickle upon us. n/t jtuck004 Feb 2014 #78

Truth has a Liberal bias. Demoiselle Feb 2014 #83

Yes? You rang?......... socialist_n_TN Feb 2014 #84

Heavily regulated capitalism works with a mix of socialism in a democracy. JRLeft Feb 2014 #92

But it never works for very long, relative to history...... socialist_n_TN Feb 2014 #97

Regulations are always weakend over time. That's the problem you are talking about. JRLeft Feb 2014 #101

Sorry, but it's not greedy people. At least not in the main. It's the system itself...... socialist_n_TN Feb 2014 #133

True the system requires profit at all cost. JRLeft Feb 2014 #140

Well put! n/t 2banon Feb 2014 #195

Systemically encouraging, rewarding, and multiplying this is foolhardy at best. TheKentuckian Feb 2014 #150

Thanks for saying this - the hungry tiger metaphor is apt. nt Distant Quasar Feb 2014 #187

You're welcome and welcome to DU.......... socialist_n_TN Feb 2014 #222

The so called extreme left is tired of being ran over by plutocrats and their executive, JRLeft Feb 2014 #96

I know what I'm not, part of the mindless cheerleading wing who look at politics quinnox Feb 2014 #99

Agreed politics tend to be viewed from a fanatic viewpoint. JRLeft Feb 2014 #102

I think you're only considered an extremist if you think policies will be changed for the better. Jefferson23 Feb 2014 #100

Exellent point and simply put.. 2banon Feb 2014 #194

Feel free, anytime. Jefferson23 Feb 2014 #199

Extreme centrist here. PowerToThePeople Feb 2014 #103

What I stand for use to be centrist. JRLeft Feb 2014 #113

Then you ARE a Centrist PowerToThePeople Feb 2014 #114

It's not just republicans who view my political leanings as far left. JRLeft Feb 2014 #119

I know. PowerToThePeople Feb 2014 #121

I believe your views and my views are mainstream but ignored. JRLeft Feb 2014 #122

+1000000 They are not "centrists. " The worst of them are corporate fascists. woo me with science Feb 2014 #125

Exactly. eom PowerToThePeople Feb 2014 #127

Faux democrats who are really fascist, they hate democracy. JRLeft Feb 2014 #130

I always ask people who bitch and complain about the extreme left frwrfpos Feb 2014 #135

Unfortunately people in both parties aren't finished destroying regular people. JRLeft Feb 2014 #139

All of those positions pole centrist. The 'centrists' are actually to the right of Reagan, it's said grahamhgreen Feb 2014 #153

HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Feb 2014 #154

I created this thread because the so called extreme left has been JRLeft Feb 2014 #158

Indeed, it has. I fully support your OP. We could think about a Nihilist Democratic Party (p342-4) ancianita Feb 2014 #171

Me too, JRLeft! Enthusiast Feb 2014 #160

Agreed, the Republican party moves further right every year and JRLeft Feb 2014 #164

Then you'll like this book. ancianita Feb 2014 #170

We need people in the streets and I mean millions upon millions, that will be the only way the media JRLeft Feb 2014 #173

With a country this size, hell yeah. ancianita Feb 2014 #174

Media blackouts are a thing now. So media will have to be dealt with creatively. Read this book. ancianita Feb 2014 #175

I will check to see if it is available on my kindle. JRLeft Feb 2014 #177

Proud To Be "Far Left" colsohlibgal Feb 2014 #172

Hillary has the support of people like Jamie Dimon, because she isn't a threat to the status quo. JRLeft Feb 2014 #179

What about the ultra-left? S.A.M Feb 2014 #176

A lot of repukes believe that when they have a lot in common with the Nazi's like repeating the big JRLeft Feb 2014 #178

which part of "the left" favors free speech, freedom of religion, diversity? reddread Feb 2014 #181

The extreme left, don't you know that you are suppose to be JRLeft Feb 2014 #182

Corporatists laws are the reason why we are in another bubble at this very moment, I am expecting JRLeft Feb 2014 #185

K & R GoneFishin Feb 2014 #186

Our political system has continued sliding to the right since Reagan deutsey Feb 2014 #196

yep heaven05 Feb 2014 #197

Anyone who still supports democracy is on the extreme left these days! polichick Feb 2014 #200

Nailed. It. HangOnKids Feb 2014 #213

That may be extreme left in this country... Deep13 Feb 2014 #201

There is harly a left at all anymore in this country, much less an extreme one. Dark n Stormy Knight Feb 2014 #202

Older Republicans like Dwight Eisenhower are also in this club... cascadiance Feb 2014 #203

Some of the dems on this board want to demolish social security. JRLeft Feb 2014 #215

<---- Extreme Left n/t Aerows Feb 2014 #210

K&R ReRe Feb 2014 #218

+1 centrism means pro Wall St running this country. More watered down regulations, no taxes, no JRLeft Feb 2014 #221

Common sence has always had a strong liberal bias. Nika Feb 2014 #226

Helping the masses os part of our liberal common sense solutions. JRLeft Feb 2014 #233