Land of the free sours on capitalism: US poll

[New Dawn]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Bad news for those fearful of "creeping socialism" in the United States -- only 53 percent of Americans now believe capitalism is the better system, according to a new poll Thursday.

Fully 20 percent in the Rasmussen Reports survey said that socialism was their preferred economic system -- a startling number that suggests growing disaffection as the "land of the free" fights its worst recession in decades.

Republican critics fret that President Barack Obama's big-spending recovery policies amount to an un-American "creeping socialism," but Rasmussen said its findings pointed to suspicion of business and government elites alike.

It noted that in another survey last month, two out of three Americans said that big government and big business often collude to undermine the interests of consumers and investors.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gTOCbd3n6OXDsNvbfx-wgUpeQ0sg

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We who support socialism are now 20% (and growing)! The leadership of the Democratic Party ought to take notice and pass universal health care immediately, which is already supported by half the country.

[elleng]

1. This assumes an awful lot, that is,

that people KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!

[LynnTheDem]

2. Belief rising in looking after the less fortunate amongst us??? In AMERICA???!

:wow:

We've come a long way, baby.

[Deja Q]

3. All thanks to capitalism - irony is very ironic at times.

[LSparkle]

4. Wow -- that's encouraging ...

I think that number will continue to grow as the public
watches what happens in this country during this economic
downturn versus conditions in Europe -- socialism allows
for a much softer landing in hard times than does our style
of under-regulated capitalism. The grass may end up being
greener on the other side of the pond ...

[phantom power]

5. There needs to be a catchier word for...

"people who favor a mixed economy."

I bet that very few people favor a pure-socialized economy. But lots of people favor the idea that some institutions and services are most effective to socialize. After all, we've had a mixed economy for generations. And most people are on board with it, whether they've ever thought about it like that or not. It would help if there was a word for it.

[nomorenomore08]

6. I doubt many of those 20% were thinking of the pre-Gorbachev U.S.S.R.

More likely they were thinking of countries like Sweden or Denmark. :)

[Prophet 451]

10. Social Democrats

From Wiki:
"In the early 20th century, however, a number of socialist and labor parties rejected revolution and other traditional teachings of Marxism and went on to take more moderate positions, which came to characterize modern social democracy. These positions often include support for a democratic welfare state which incorporates elements of both socialism and capitalism, sometimes termed the mixed economy.<2> This differs from traditional socialism, which aims to end the predominance of capitalism altogether. Social democrats aim to reform capitalism democratically through state regulation and the creation of programs that work to counteract or remove the social injustice and inefficiencies they see as inherent in capitalism."

[izquierdista]

7. Creeping is not good

Now a running sprint toward socialism, that would be good. :bounce:

[bitchkitty]

8. The time is ripe.

20% will be 30% in no time, then 40%, then 50%...

I can dream, can't I?

[ronnie624]

19. I can dream too.

Notice how the word 'free' is used in the headline of the article. The author seems to be implying that capitalism equals freedom - an example of the insidious entrenchment of propaganda in the MSM, that promotes corporate profits over social welfare.

[kestrel91316]

9. Ah, music to my ears......

[closeupready]

11. This is where the road named corruption leads - collapse.

Hope those who got rich selling out the US are happy now, because payback is a bitch, as they say.

[lovuian]

12. A Socialistic Democracy

we can't have a few greedy bastards
destroying the way of life for millions

Marx is right
the worker will revolt

[ShareTheWoods]

13. fully 20% preferred socialism

barely 27% describe themselves as extreme right wing.

there... that proves that the remaining 53% are correct.

fully 20% a knee slapper.

[PassingFair]

14. That 20% is probably those that have little or no health care benefits.

"The leadership of the Democratic Party ought to take notice and pass universal health care immediately, which is already supported by half the country."

You hit the nail on the head.

:yourock:

[zelta gaisma]

15. is there ANY...

economic system that doesn't have extreme highs and lows? I am honestly asking, i don't know

[Psephos]

16. A smaller percentage supported Obama on election day than support "capitalism" in this poll

Yet we stake our claim on his mandate.

Something to think about.

[progressoid]

17. Unfortunately we seem to be creeping toward corporate socialism

and we are left behind.

[Hydra]

18. Capitalism looks like a worst deal every day

I look forward to when people wake up and see that they'll never be the billionaire...that's all capitalism promises- that if you are a good little slave, one day, you might just wake up and be one of the big guys...

Ya, pull the other one.

[NeoConsSuck]

20. Gee, I guess the 'magic' of the free markets

was nothing more than a 3 card monte game, with average Americans on the losing end of that charade.

Capitalism could have never survived these past two years without government intervention, so it is a no-brainer, socialism has proven to be a far superior economic system.

[Vinca]

21. I doubt this number is accurate. The 53% must include

the far right 30% who would agree with anything if told to do so by their masters. Next time you run into one of them and they start with the socialism meme, ask for a definition.