Mark Holtom (aka Kingbeard)MarkHoltom
Feb 26, 2026, 12:42 PMI have heard so many variants of this as explanations of why 'socialism' doesn't work (all from Americans). It's as though they are taught it this way.
Replies
Walrus 🏴Walrus@toot.walesFeb 26, 2026, 12:47 PMI hope that some day, when they realise how gullible they have been, they will say sorry for all their insults. But I bet they won't.
- Mark Holtom (aka Kingbeard)MarkHoltomFeb 26, 2026, 1:18 PM
Americans think themselves exceptional. This is something that they are taught.
One thing about being exceptional is never being wrong, or having to say, I'm sorry. Its a sign of weakness.
Loose CannonLcstyle@mas.toFeb 26, 2026, 3:44 PM
Steggysteggy@sunny.gardenFeb 26, 2026, 12:59 PM@MarkHoltom we aren’t taught much. Even less since I was a kid. I came of age in the 80s, and listened to a lot of Billy Bragg at the time. I think he saved me from thinking capitalism is the best thing ever.
Feb 26, 2026, 1:15 PM@MarkHoltom “Explanation”. More like, disingenuous analogy and circular logic. In a post meant only to seek approval from others with similar prejudice.
But critics of capitalism generally talk the same way. Arguments between religious zealots are reliably tedious, utterly free of insight.
Neil MoffattNicelyManifest@mastodon.socialFeb 26, 2026, 2:50 PM@MarkHoltom Few on the right see 'taking hard earned money in taxes' as worthwhile or valuable in any sense.
Rename tax to 'civilised society contribution' then things are clearer - basically those with excess to needs help those who struggle. Something human species did for thousands of years before money destroyed all hopes of meaningful equality.
Feb 26, 2026, 3:18 PM@NicelyManifest @MarkHoltom I've always argued (without much success, I must add) that tax officers' job is not about taking people's money but rather to help people contribute back in to Society.
- Neil MoffattNicelyManifest@mastodon.socialFeb 26, 2026, 4:14 PM
@gvlx @MarkHoltom That is a wise reconception.
So much of life is gravitationally anchored to simplistic concepts. That tax is, by default, a negative 'taxing' matter.
Same simpl mindset that says a footballer is offside if 1mm closer to the goal line than the last defender ... because that is the rule we abide by. That the striker might be metres further away from goal on the wing seems somehow to be universally overlooked.
Feb 26, 2026, 3:46 PM@NicelyManifest @MarkHoltom
...and who made the monetary system and the other infrastructure for these would-be freeloaders to parasite from?
Not the godzillionaires.- Neil MoffattNicelyManifest@mastodon.socialFeb 26, 2026, 4:11 PM
@Andii @MarkHoltom They are a human-turned-parasite as you say. We unleashed animalistic behaviour, wealth and power intoxicating away the inhibitions that most of us have. And often those 'acquiring' power and wealth are psychopaths - bereft of empathy as a starting point!
TheriacTheriac@plasmatrap.comFeb 26, 2026, 3:18 PM@MarkHoltom@mastodonapp.uk
weird they don't see they're actually teaching them capitalism.
Robin BartonRobo105@mastodon.socialFeb 26, 2026, 3:57 PM@MarkHoltom True, many americans like to pretend socialism is the same as communism so that people won't consider a socialist future
DarberoomDarberoom1954@mastodon.socialFeb 26, 2026, 5:04 PM@MarkHoltom
Donald Trump Jr. Sparks Backlash After Old Tweets About Stealing Half of His Daughter's Halloween Candy to 'Teach Her About Socialism' Emerge
decapitaedecapitae@mastodon.socialFeb 26, 2026, 6:46 PM@MarkHoltom They have been brainwashed through cults to see the world in such a fashion. Nationalist cults that hijacked different sects for state programming of congregations - it's how they got people to hold two conflicting beliefs at once and act upon them in their confusion. Fueled the war machine for ages - a level to pull when they wish.
Still being pulled and pulled and pulled, especially in rural parts of red states 😓