Nine Myths About Socialism in the US

[kelvin070]

You guys been brainwashed by freedom and democracy so much so that now you guys are paranoid abt socialism.

Glenn Beck and other far right multi-millionaires are claiming that the US is hot on the path toward socialism. Part of their claim is that the US is much more generous and supportive of our working and poor people than other countries. People may wish it was so, but it is not.
As Sen. Patrick Moynihan used to say "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But everyone is not entitled to their own facts."
The fact is that the US is not really all that generous to our working and poor people compared to other countries.
Consider the US in comparison to the rest of the 30 countries that join the US in making up the OECD - the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. These 30 countries include Canada and most comparable European countries, but also include some struggling countries like Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Slovak Republic and Turkey.
When you look at how the US compares to these 30 countries, the hot air myths about the US government going all out toward socialism sort of disappear into thin air. Here are some examples of myths that do not hold up.

http://www.truthout.org/nine-myths-about-socialism-us58513?print

 

[Alien Allen]

when half the people do not pay any federal taxes I would say we are well on our way towards socialism

 

[Alien Allen]

oh and truthout is about as good a source when it comes to bias as Glen Beck

 

[Meirionnydd]

when half the people do not pay any federal taxes I would say we are well on our way towards socialism

How is that an indicator of Socialism?

 

[edgray]

when half the people do not pay any federal taxes I would say we are well on our way towards socialism

... eh?

 

[edgray]

The US gives no paid leave for working mothers having children.

Is that really true?

 

[Accountable]

Depends. Does "US" refer to the federal gov't or citizens such as employers? The myths listed are as much bullshit as the tripe that's put forth as counterargument. Such complete fiction that any resemblance to actual fact is totally coincidental.

 

[edgray]

Depends. Does "US" refer to the federal gov't or citizens such as employers?

I don't know. I guess the author is referring to the govt. In the UK, for example, every woman is entitled to 6 months paid maternity leave and can take a further 6 months unpaid maternity leave. This is a govt mandate that no employer can avoid or ignore. Is there no provision like that, or is it dependent on the generosity of the company you work for?

The myths listed are as much bullshit as the tripe that's put forth as counterargument. Such complete fiction that any resemblance to actual fact is totally coincidental.

I started to get a bit concerned about the article when I noticed a complete lack of citations...

 

[Accountable]

I don't know. I guess the author is referring to the govt. In the UK, for example, every woman is entitled to 6 months paid maternity leave and can take a further 6 months unpaid maternity leave. This is a govt mandate that no employer can avoid or ignore. Is there no provision like that, or is it dependent on the generosity of the company you work for?

Personally I'd rather not depend on the like of politicians to decide morality. I'd rather go the anarchist route here. Those large enough to afford it are quite generous, I understand.

I started to get a bit concerned about the article when I noticed a complete lack of citations...

Exactly!

 

[edgray]

Personally I'd rather not depend on the like of politicians to decide morality. I'd rather go the anarchist route here. Those large enough to afford it are quite generous, I understand.

They have a similar govt stance over here in Spain to the UK, though not quite as generous as the UK, and this has had the effect of making employers not want to employ female staff on a full-contract as the 3 months paid maternity leave can potentially bankrupt small companies, so they opt to make staff self-employed, which is much less secure for the employee, and more expensive in terms of taxes and social security...

 

[Peter Parka]

They have a similar govt stance over here in Spain to the UK, though not quite as generous as the UK, and this has had the effect of making employers not want to employ female staff on a full-contract as the 3 months paid maternity leave can potentially bankrupt small companies, so they opt to make staff self-employed, which is much less secure for the employee, and more expensive in terms of taxes and social security...

Yeah, the maternity leave seens good in practice but I've worked at a lot of small businesses who wont employ young and teenage women. The've had too many problems with them working for them for a couple of months, getting pregnant and then not coming back after their maternity leave is up.

 

[edgray]

Yeah, the maternity leave seens good in practice but I've worked at a lot of small businesses who wont employ young and teenage women. The've had too many problems with them working for them for a couple of months, getting pregnant and then not coming back after their maternity leave is up.

it really bolsters Accountable's point: if a company can afford it then it's fine, but having it strictly enforced does smaller businesses no favours whatsoever.

 

[Meirionnydd]

it really bolsters Accountable's point: if a company can afford it then it's fine, but having it strictly enforced does smaller businesses no favours whatsoever.

Although, it depends how the system is funded. Australia also does not provide a parental leave scheme for mothers (although some employers do). However, this being an election year, there have been both proposals surfacing from the Government and Opposition.

The Governments current plan is funded by general revenue, and provides 18 weeks of leave at minimum age (about $544 a week).

The Opposition is proposing a plan that will provide 26 weeks of leave, and, at full wage (up to $150,000). This scheme is going to be funded by imposing an additional 1.7% tax on large corporations.

Both proposals do not place burden on small business, which is a good thing. I don't see an issue with large companies picking up the bill, however.

 

[DayOldHuman]

Yeah, the maternity leave seens good in practice but I've worked at a lot of small businesses who wont employ young and teenage women. The've had too many problems with them working for them for a couple of months, getting pregnant and then not coming back after their maternity leave is up.

I have to agree with you in the fact that this would do nothing to increase equality in the workplace.

 

[edgray]

Although, it depends how the system is funded. Australia also does not provide a parental leave scheme for mothers (although some employers do). However, this being an election year, there have been both proposals surfacing from the Government and Opposition.

The Governments current plan is funded by general revenue, and provides 18 weeks of leave at minimum age (about $544 a week).

The Opposition is proposing a plan that will provide 26 weeks of leave, and, at full wage (up to $150,000). This scheme is going to be funded by imposing an additional 1.7% tax on large corporations.

Both proposals do not place burden on small business, which is a good thing. I don't see an issue with large companies picking up the bill, however.

Seems like a sensible proposal. Will there be leave for husbands too?

 

[Accountable]

It doesn't seem sensible in the least, in my view. It accepts, encourages, and perpetuates the destruction of the traditional family. Do your governments also force employers to provide on-site childcare (paid for by taxpayers)? That at least would make a show of striking a balance.

 

[edgray]

It accepts, encourages, and perpetuates the destruction of the traditional family.

In what way?

Do your governments also force employers to provide on-site childcare (paid for by taxpayers)? That at least would make a show of striking a balance.

I don't think there's an enforced on-site childcare, most communities have their own nurseries, some state run, some private.

I've heard of larger companies having their own on-site crèches as well as hospitals.

 

[Tangerine]

US labor laws require that employees allow time off from work with no penalty (as in you can't lose your job for taking maternity leave) but there is no requirement that the employee be PAID during that time.

There's also the Family and Medical Leave act which extends the same rights to fathers, and to people who have serious medical issues in their families that need attending to.

I agree with this approach. It makes sense to not penalize someone for needing to be with their family in important times, but it also makes no sense that employers would have to compensate people for NOT working. The financial impacts of that would devastate a lot of businesses.

 

[Alien Allen]

If we did not have such a socialistic approach anymore in this country then people who were concerned about needing maternity time off should buy insurance for that. No friggin way an employer should be stuck with paying somebody to be home. That is utter nonsense. I agree with the unpaid leave part

 

[kelvin070]

If we did not have such a socialistic approach anymore in this country then people who were concerned about needing maternity time off should buy insurance for that. No friggin way an employer should be stuck with paying somebody to be home. That is utter nonsense. I agree with the unpaid leave part

Don't expect any maternity leave in a police state.
This is what we have:

• Statutory maternity leave has been extended from 12 to 16 weeks for eligible female employees from 31 October 2008.
• The employee is entitled to absent herself from work for 4 weeks immediately before and 12 weeks immediately after delivery.
• The first 8 weeks has to be taken as a continuous block. The last 8 weeks (maximum 48 days) may be taken continuously immediately after the first 8 weeks or taken flexibly, with the employer's consent, within 12 months from the child's birth.
• Employers can give maternity leave and benefits beyond the statutory minimum.

http://www.business.gov.sg/EOS/Temp...888-B692-103B33247344}&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#long