Is Socialism biblical?

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Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
Whoa, fast lane to off topic! LOL :)
Off topic? I don´t think mentioning/discussing this reality would be an off topic, sister. Left-Socialist ideas/policies mentioned here before by all of us are as legitimate to talk as the legalization of gay marriages, abortion and euthanasia. From what I know (and I may be wrong), the Right does not agree (or tend, at least) with these three offenses to God.
 

jamie26301

Senior Member
May 14, 2011
1,154
10
38
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I'm sorry for going on and on people. This topic really touches a nerve with me because I've been on both sides of this opinion. There are also personal obstacles I have that makes it really difficult for me in the workplace, so generalizations like "You're just not working hard enough" or something of the other doesn't speak to my situation.

Young people like me are not anti-work - some are, but you have those in every generation. I think many people my age are naive about the solutions... like, 15 min wage is not going to solve your problems, and making school free isn't going to either, because the issue, among others but the main issue is debt, and how debt over time has driven prices up. Passing the large price of college to the taxpayer doesn't address the problem: the price itself! A thing in economics called leverage...

So, I think both young people and older are oversimplifying our issues and problems. "Just work!" and "Just stop being discriminatory and fork your taxes!" But just because the dollar has lost its purchasing power, that the dollar is only 40 cent of what it was worth 30-50 years ago (in other words, we literally can't live on the same income you did 30 years ago), just because wages have not kept up with the times, and so young people want living wages...

all this doesn't auto mean they're spoiled or lazy... it means they're human and want a comfortable life. They also want a lot of things they don't really need, they feed the speed of technology and thus perpetually high prices with their need for the latest thing. I'll be the first one to admit this.

But the older generation often doesn't understand that to KEEP UP with the job market and the new trends, you need certain technology available and you need to keep up with it to be an asset to the company. Iow, in many cases, you have NO CHOICE but to go and buy the latest thing to know how it works, to understand better so you can use company equipment... in other words, sometimes buying that smartphone IS a step in getting off your lazy butt. Sad, but true. My husband bought a blackberry BECAUSE it was more efficient to use in his business than a cheaper phone.

Wow, I apologize about not going on, then I go on. Heaven help me. :)
 

Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
I'm sorry for going on and on people. This topic really touches a nerve with me because I've been on both sides of this opinion. There are also personal obstacles I have that makes it really difficult for me in the workplace, so generalizations like "You're just not working hard enough" or something of the other doesn't speak to my situation.

Young people like me are not anti-work - some are, but you have those in every generation. I think many people my age are naive about the solutions... like, 15 min wage is not going to solve your problems, and making school free isn't going to either, because the issue, among others but the main issue is debt, and how debt over time has driven prices up. Passing the large price of college to the taxpayer doesn't address the problem: the price itself! A thing in economics called leverage...

So, I think both young people and older are oversimplifying our issues and problems. "Just work!" and "Just stop being discriminatory and fork your taxes!" But just because the dollar has lost its purchasing power, that the dollar is only 40 cent of what it was worth 30-50 years ago (in other words, we literally can't live on the same income you did 30 years ago), just because wages have not kept up with the times, and so young people want living wages...

all this doesn't auto mean they're spoiled or lazy... it means they're human and want a comfortable life. They also want a lot of things they don't really need, they feed the speed of technology and thus perpetually high prices with their need for the latest thing. I'll be the first one to admit this.

But the older generation often doesn't understand that to KEEP UP with the job market and the new trends, you need certain technology available and you need to keep up with it to be an asset to the company. Iow, in many cases, you have NO CHOICE but to go and buy the latest thing to know how it works, to understand better so you can use company equipment... in other words, sometimes buying that smartphone IS a step in getting off your lazy butt. Sad, but true. My husband bought a blackberry BECAUSE it was more efficient to use in his business than a cheaper phone.

Wow, I apologize about not going on, then I go on. Heaven help me. :)
I understand how you feel, sister, and I´m really sorry to know that. Please forgive me if I wrote anything that hurt you in anyway.
 

jamie26301

Senior Member
May 14, 2011
1,154
10
38
39
I understand how you feel, sister, and I´m really sorry to know that. Please forgive me if I wrote anything that hurt you in anyway.
Hey, no problem. :) And you didn't, but thanks for listening.
 
J

jaybird88

Guest
I'm sorry for going on and on people. This topic really touches a nerve with me because I've been on both sides of this opinion. There are also personal obstacles I have that makes it really difficult for me in the workplace, so generalizations like "You're just not working hard enough" or something of the other doesn't speak to my situation.

Young people like me are not anti-work - some are, but you have those in every generation. I think many people my age are naive about the solutions... like, 15 min wage is not going to solve your problems, and making school free isn't going to either, because the issue, among others but the main issue is debt, and how debt over time has driven prices up. Passing the large price of college to the taxpayer doesn't address the problem: the price itself! A thing in economics called leverage...

So, I think both young people and older are oversimplifying our issues and problems. "Just work!" and "Just stop being discriminatory and fork your taxes!" But just because the dollar has lost its purchasing power, that the dollar is only 40 cent of what it was worth 30-50 years ago (in other words, we literally can't live on the same income you did 30 years ago), just because wages have not kept up with the times, and so young people want living wages...

all this doesn't auto mean they're spoiled or lazy... it means they're human and want a comfortable life. They also want a lot of things they don't really need, they feed the speed of technology and thus perpetually high prices with their need for the latest thing. I'll be the first one to admit this.

But the older generation often doesn't understand that to KEEP UP with the job market and the new trends, you need certain technology available and you need to keep up with it to be an asset to the company. Iow, in many cases, you have NO CHOICE but to go and buy the latest thing to know how it works, to understand better so you can use company equipment... in other words, sometimes buying that smartphone IS a step in getting off your lazy butt. Sad, but true. My husband bought a blackberry BECAUSE it was more efficient to use in his business than a cheaper phone.

Wow, I apologize about not going on, then I go on. Heaven help me. :)
i agree about the debt. we are so indoctrinated these days no one thinks twice about putting something on credit whether they need it or not. to many are lead to believe these are the best of times because we have so much but few think to realize that today individuals have next to nothing in economic security verses 30 years ago when people outright owned things.

another thing about socialism vs capitalism, the usa economy is 20-30% gov jobs, bigger than manufacturing, construction, etc. its the biggest part of our economy (next to medical). we are way more socialist than people think. but here is the biggest problem with these jobs, they are majority garbage "fake economy" jobs. study into it and you will see its nothing but jobs that do mostly nothing to serve the greater good. they are cutting the programs that were needed and replacing them with programs that are not needed.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,572
9,091
113

you think my job is a socialist job?

i do work in America, and this job i went to this morning is a capitalist one, based here in America. their sole motive is profit.
i outperformed everyone else by 500% today - but do i get paid anywhere near 5x what a new hire does? no. 11% more than a new hire, and i had to send 7 angry letters & threaten to quit before i got that.

what i said was that "it would be nice" if i was compensated for how much value i bring to the company. but i'm not. "it would be nice" if my reward was commensurate with my performance -- but it's not. and that's not "because, socialism" -- it's because the people that run this district don't care. they get bonuses for cutting cost - so having me around means they get a big check around Christmas, and i don't get any of it. that's why threatening to quit made a small impact.

you can say "YOU ARE FREE" to go and get some other non-existent job. sure. tell me some more about the unemployment rate...? the "gun" that forces me to stay here is the shrinking job market and the bills i have to pay. it's not cheap giving away shirts LOL!


i have three jobs. and i do freelance consulting work. it's just this job in particular that doesn't pay fair wage or reward performance -- i'm paid well in two of the other jobs, and when i consult i generally set my own fees. so my point is that "not being socialist" in no way guarantees anyone will be paid "fairly." next time you're at walmart, ask your cashier about that. see if she can explain to you why the prices are low there :)
Huh!!? What!!? How did you get from my post that I thought your job was a socialist job?

I can guarantee, I have, and would leave a job if I thought I was being treated unfairly or paid less than I thought I should. YOU staying in a job like that is on YOU. What would you do if that job didn't exist? I bet you'd do what you had to to find another or make ends meet another way. Your employer owes you NOTHING but what YOU agreed to receive as pay.

Geesh, this entitlement mentality is so entrenched it is scary.

The MORE this socialism implementation, the HIGHER the unemployment rate will be. Or we SHOULD say the labor participation rate. The unemployment number is completely useless.

Finally, I don't HAVE to ask a cashier at Walmart about their pay or job. My son, nephew and niece all work there! They are GRATEFUL for their employment, and fully understand that NOTHING prevents them from leaving to pursue other jobs OR become an entrepreneur themselves.

BTW. Since you want to brig up shirt giving away, I won't talk about my giving, but my son, is totally committed to helping the needy and has gone on several mission trips to serve with a grateful heart. EVEN on his Walmart pay.

May God continue to Bless you and your family
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,726
13,522
113
Huh!!? What!!? How did you get from my post that I thought your job was a socialist job?
because you said that i was illustrating everything that was bad about socialism??

YOU staying in a job like that is on YOU. What would you do if that job didn't exist?

if i leave, i'd be on welfare! if it didn't exist, i'd be on welfare! or at least eligible for it!


I bet you'd do what you had to to find another or make ends meet another way.

i bet that's why i have this job! ;)


Your employer owes you NOTHING but what YOU agreed to receive as pay.

i know! that's exactly what i said in my post you were replying to!
((the parable of the workers at the vineyard .. ? ))

Geesh, this entitlement mentality is so entrenched it is scary.

yes! what with the people harping about how they are entitled to be paid "fairly" LOL

The MORE this socialism implementation, the HIGHER the unemployment rate will be.

America is not instituting Maoism! we're considering expanding the democratic social reforms we already have in place, that benefit the people and are in fact part of what makes us "great" as a nation!
do those social reforms increase unemployment? there's no evidence for that at all! just fear! unemployment rates have been relatively steady since implementation of food stamps, medicaid and rent assistance programs for the poor! but their quality of life has greatly improved! that's what those programs are designed to do - they are not designed to 'put people to work' !

however employment and quality of employment have INCREASED since we started investing in education! and job training! those are social welfare programs that actually are meant to improve joblessness and under-employment!


Finally, I don't HAVE to ask a cashier at Walmart about their pay or job. My son, nephew and niece all work there! They are GRATEFUL for their employment, and fully understand that NOTHING prevents them from leaving to pursue other jobs OR become an entrepreneur themselves.

that's exactly what jamie and i have been saying! that underpaying jobs that don't even get people above the poverty line are often the 'best' thing that people can find! weird how you say they understand that 'NOTHING' prevents them from getting better jobs or starting their own tune 500 companies but they haven't done that huh? they still work at walmart and are glad for the sub-par job they could find? even though they aren't treated well or paid according to how hard they work, because heck, even walmart - so often maligned for its unfairness to its workers - is better than so many other jobs they could wind up in, or having no job at all, huh?

wow dude we agree on just about everything!
except for you think this all illustrates what is so bad about socialism??
the "social" aspects of the situations we are both describing is the democratically instituted social protections built into our free-market economy that provide workman's compensation insurance, minimum wages, workplace safety regulations, fair-hiring and labor practices etc. without which a job at walmart or the company i was referring to would be absolute slavery in the worst conditions you can think of!

democratic socialism is what makes walmart a tolerable place to work!

Since you want to brig up shirt giving away, I won't talk about my giving, but my son, is totally committed to helping the needy and has gone on several mission trips to serve with a grateful heart. EVEN on his Walmart pay.

that wasn't me bringing that up! just Utah attacking me for no reason -- i guess he hates me because he supports Trump and i don't?
out of the blue he accused me of having no generosity / not following the scripture i was quoting to someone else, which turned out to be ironic because i had actually given a shirt away the day before he decided to personally insult me without cause!

that's great for your son! guess what? me too! and we both do it on what turns out to be an income that's probably not "fair" with regard to the amount of work we both do according to our Christian work ethics! at jobs we're thankful to have anyway!

you and i, sir, agree on every point except one!
that this "illustrates what's wrong with socialism" !
but we even agree on that, it turns out, because you say you don't think my job is a socialist one! the predicament i'm in is entirely a free-market capitalist one! which i only bring up to illustrate that wages are not "fair" and opportunity is not "balanced" just because of some socio-economic scheme: it has much more to do with where you live ((what jobs are available)) and what's in the heart of your boss! don't you agree?

God continues to bless us both, bro, and our familes. it is not $$ that true blessings are made of, but peace, generosity in the heart and wisdom :)