I am British and remain surprised that Americans lump Socialism and Communism as if they are absolute synonyms. In Western Europe we have a number of Socialist led countries - particularly the Scandinavian countries. They lead the world in terms of population happiness and quality of life. Most of the other European countries swing left and right at each election. Whilst I agree that Communism is anti-gospel, I also believe that rampant Capitalism is also anti-gospel.
TimJuly 20, 2019
I too am shocked at the number of members who have bought into socialism. They seriously need to look into what they are siding with because, as Roxylynne so aptly says, everything about current left wing socialism goes against virtually everything the gospel stands for. At its worst, socialism/communism the very plan we once rejected in favour of free agency on this earth.
Elliot MorrisJuly 19, 2019
"Open borders" is an incendiary phrase. It is used by those who fear liberalized immigration to demonize any and all who suggest that current restrictions on immigration are detrimental to our national well-being. There are many who favor unrestricted or less restricted migration. Some of them are socialists. Some are not (the Cato Institute being one. Hardly a Socialist organization). There are socialists, however, who ardently oppose immigration (the Chinese, for example). In other words, immigration is a policy issue every nation faces and is not determined by economic ideology (capitalism v. socialism). Many free market economists and thinkers favor the free flow of labor accross national borders. It is dangerous, I believe, to marry words like "Socialsim" and "Open Borders" as this tends to impede intelligent discourse concerning what immigration policy is best for the country. To put it another way, free market, liberty loving folks like myself, who believe in a more liberal immigration policy do not very much like being lumped in with Socialists.
Michael Shea, MDJuly 18, 2019
It is nothing less than astonishing to me that anyone with even a primitive education and cognitive ability above the 3rd grade level could countenance such a pernicious and blatantly evil ideology. There are certainly more dullards in this country than I ever imagined.
KC DayJuly 18, 2019
There is a great divide in America today. It's between those who reject change and those who insist change is needed.
We have a President who is doing everything possible to further widen that gap.
Nothing he says or does is remotely true to the Gospel Jesus preached, including the Sermon on the Mount.
Until we elect a President with the wisdom and compassion of King Benjamin, this divide will widen, until we are once again fighting each other in the streets.
Trump exemplifies everything that is wrong with Capitialists. He worships money and power. There are so many scandals associated with him, all of them sordid and examples of violating the 10 Commandments.
No wonder that some people who reject his ideology are also rejecting his version of Capitialism and wish to steer our government into becoming more responsive to the needs of the less fortunate among us.
They look to Socialism and Communism as examples of government that is socially responsive and responsible because they are the exact opposite of our current Administration.
It is the fear that Trump will turn us into a facist state, or a twisted Theocracy devoid of Gospel principles, that is motivating their words and actions.
And left unchecked, that's exactly where we are heading.
We need a new version of Capitialism, one that rewards those who acheive, but also requires those individuals to pay fair taxes to assure everyone in this country has access to shelter, food and health.
Kevin D KrauseJuly 18, 2019
I know socialism is bad. I'm not promoting it in any way, but Capitalism has its week points too. I feel like the Socialism movement is picking up pace because so many are unhappy with the current state of things, and they are desperately seeking something new.
RoxylynneJuly 17, 2019
I'm not sure how we overcome the rampant ignorance of people who think socialism in any form is going to offer anything but bondage, pain and suffering. The most discouraging is to see young lds people, students at our own universities spout views that are the antithesis of the gospel.
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SteveJuly 25, 2019
I am British and remain surprised that Americans lump Socialism and Communism as if they are absolute synonyms. In Western Europe we have a number of Socialist led countries - particularly the Scandinavian countries. They lead the world in terms of population happiness and quality of life. Most of the other European countries swing left and right at each election. Whilst I agree that Communism is anti-gospel, I also believe that rampant Capitalism is also anti-gospel.
TimJuly 20, 2019
I too am shocked at the number of members who have bought into socialism. They seriously need to look into what they are siding with because, as Roxylynne so aptly says, everything about current left wing socialism goes against virtually everything the gospel stands for. At its worst, socialism/communism the very plan we once rejected in favour of free agency on this earth.
Elliot MorrisJuly 19, 2019
"Open borders" is an incendiary phrase. It is used by those who fear liberalized immigration to demonize any and all who suggest that current restrictions on immigration are detrimental to our national well-being. There are many who favor unrestricted or less restricted migration. Some of them are socialists. Some are not (the Cato Institute being one. Hardly a Socialist organization). There are socialists, however, who ardently oppose immigration (the Chinese, for example). In other words, immigration is a policy issue every nation faces and is not determined by economic ideology (capitalism v. socialism). Many free market economists and thinkers favor the free flow of labor accross national borders. It is dangerous, I believe, to marry words like "Socialsim" and "Open Borders" as this tends to impede intelligent discourse concerning what immigration policy is best for the country. To put it another way, free market, liberty loving folks like myself, who believe in a more liberal immigration policy do not very much like being lumped in with Socialists.
Michael Shea, MDJuly 18, 2019
It is nothing less than astonishing to me that anyone with even a primitive education and cognitive ability above the 3rd grade level could countenance such a pernicious and blatantly evil ideology. There are certainly more dullards in this country than I ever imagined.
KC DayJuly 18, 2019
There is a great divide in America today. It's between those who reject change and those who insist change is needed. We have a President who is doing everything possible to further widen that gap. Nothing he says or does is remotely true to the Gospel Jesus preached, including the Sermon on the Mount. Until we elect a President with the wisdom and compassion of King Benjamin, this divide will widen, until we are once again fighting each other in the streets. Trump exemplifies everything that is wrong with Capitialists. He worships money and power. There are so many scandals associated with him, all of them sordid and examples of violating the 10 Commandments. No wonder that some people who reject his ideology are also rejecting his version of Capitialism and wish to steer our government into becoming more responsive to the needs of the less fortunate among us. They look to Socialism and Communism as examples of government that is socially responsive and responsible because they are the exact opposite of our current Administration. It is the fear that Trump will turn us into a facist state, or a twisted Theocracy devoid of Gospel principles, that is motivating their words and actions. And left unchecked, that's exactly where we are heading. We need a new version of Capitialism, one that rewards those who acheive, but also requires those individuals to pay fair taxes to assure everyone in this country has access to shelter, food and health.
Kevin D KrauseJuly 18, 2019
I know socialism is bad. I'm not promoting it in any way, but Capitalism has its week points too. I feel like the Socialism movement is picking up pace because so many are unhappy with the current state of things, and they are desperately seeking something new.
RoxylynneJuly 17, 2019
I'm not sure how we overcome the rampant ignorance of people who think socialism in any form is going to offer anything but bondage, pain and suffering. The most discouraging is to see young lds people, students at our own universities spout views that are the antithesis of the gospel.
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