Why I am not a socialist
•
by Browski
Q: How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Two. One to assure the public that everything possible is being done while the other screws it into a water faucet.
Most of you will know that FA is one of the few parties in eSA on the right – it’s only slightly on the right but it’s on the right side of things when it comes to policy and our approach to government. We’re not Socialists. So although I make similar promises to jizzie – I am not going to do things the same as him.
One person described Socialism (left) as an extensive government control over the economy, it is a disaster in theory and a disaster in practice. Personally I disagree with that. I think it’s a wonderful idea in theory – the problem is the practice. I would love to live in a socialist world where we have Utopia, the perfect society. The idea that everyone in a society thrives, and that poverty becomes a thing of the past through collective hard work and compassion.
That sounds great doesn’t it – the problem is that the real world does not work like that. eRepublik disadvantages the socialism approach even more than in the real world. eRepublik is built around economies that work because of capitalism (I know for some of you I just used a swear word - sorry). Unfortunately it’s true. For Socialism to work, every member of a society must pull their own weight. Take a look around, does that seem possible to you, as an intelligent life form? If eRepublik was a game where you play against a computer opponents/allies then socialism would work great. Predictability where everyone of your employees does what he is told. The truth is that we are playing against/with humans who skip work, go on leave and get fed up and even try to steal. eRepublik also has at the heart of it – if you work you get paid and are able to eat. Don’t work and you will not get any money – this is a capitalist (there’s that word again) approach. I sorry there will never be a socialist utopia in eRepublik.
“The old adage, give a man a fish, he will eat for a day, teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime is very pertinent to this discussion. If the government constantly gives men fish, why would they buy their own pole and bait a hook? The answer, they will not. Socialism will never work for the same reason that capitalism makes some people rich. In a capitalist market, those who work the hardest gain the most spoils. Removing the incentive for these hard workers to work, by redistributing their spoils, does nothing more than create mass poverty, it does not eliminate poverty. Look around, has socialism ever been successful?” (http://peaceamidchaos.blogspot.com/2007/01/why-socialism-will-never-work-in.html)
The trick is not to force the redistribution of wealth but rather to encourage people to get wealth and help others get that same wealth. Capitalism does not mean we cant have a great country that looks after it’s citizens and supports each other. We will have this if I’ve got anything to do with it. Now I’m also not saying we should not be compassionate and giving. We should share and give and help others as much as we can – lets teach as many people to fish as we can. What ever you sow you will reap. I live by this in real life and in eRepublik. We at FA are currently looking into the health care system and I hope very soon to announce our plan and unveil our new system to care for the wellbeing of ALL (even socialists) South Africans. I will be personally donating towards this initiative and the other one. (we actualy need them both)
If you want to explore this further take a look at http://www.fff.org/freedom/fd0306f.asp
eSouth Africa is a Great nation but it will be even better. The government can’t wave some magic wand over this and make it happen over night. This will take hard work form each of us – but I know we can do it. Free South Africa together.
Here is another joke to lighten up eSA
A candidate (call him Browski) for president was doing some door-to-door campaigning, and things were going pretty well, he thought, till he came to the house of a grouchy-looking fellow. After the candidate’s little speech, the fellow said, “Vote for you? Why I’d rather vote for the Devil!”
“I understand,” said the candidate, “but in case your friend is not running, may I count on your support?”
So if you can’t find the devil on the voting paper – vote Browski
Browski
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Comments
Mr. Browski!Mr. Browski!Are you aware that the minister of Safety and Security has just quit his post?
The platform is good,congratulations,would have wished it to be a bit more extensive,but hey,who am I to complain😛.
Good luck.
Another old adage!
"Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for his lifetime." :3
Great work...you have outdone yourself!
Keep it up...
Health care is the only substantive item in this article. eSA just received a great new, not-for-profit health care initiative spearheaded by Lucien Morjuet: the eSouth Africa Health Center ( http://www.erepublik.com/en/organization/1337991 ). FA should be releasing their health care plans now, prior to ballot day, rather than after, if at all.
Now, ideology. This isn't real life and ideologies from real life don't serve one well in eRep (go watch political dynamics in the eUSA). "Socialism" in eRep means empowering one's country and countrymen in order to establish a world power within the game. eSA needs a stronger workforce, better quality products, and an eSA army to assist in the end of the Indo occupation and deter all future invasions. Can eRep "capitalism" mean that too? Of course. I personally think it will take longer while we wait to a wealthy oligarchy to grow in eSA and then benevolently decide to assist their countrymen once income becomes a boring occupation for them.
I really wish I could read your health care proposal now and see how much "capitalism" it contains, and how much is "socialism".
It's good to see Browski finally get something out, but I got lost in all his talk about socialism which I found strange because neither I or the BLF are actually socialist. Who was he talking about? Again, this sounds like McCain talking about Obama when things started getting desperate. What's next? Another Joe the Plumber?
Sure BLF is center-left and we do attract the socialist parties, but that is because the FA puts them down (see above article) and will have nothing to do with them. We offer all South Africans a chance to be heard, even if we don't agree with everything in their platform. We in the BLF are pragmatists who believe in both capitalist and socialist ideals depending on the situation. Hiresy is my main economics guy and I know for a fact that he is far from being a socialist both here and in RL.
I respect Mr. Browski and am glad to see he has finally opened up. However, it is unfortunate that his message got lost in all the irrelevant discussion of socialism. I don't know if he is trying to scare people by misrepresenting the BLF or if he still hasn't got it that the BLF is not socialist.
Soooo....what does this all mean? Sorry if thats seems a tad rude but all this seems to me is vote right because socialism doesn't work. But, uh, where's the complete socialist agenda here? The only thing that I see that is even remotely socialist is the eSAHC which is currently a completely donation only philanthropist organization that isn't "Giving fish" out every day but only helping alleviate some of the issues, in RL USA this is done all the time (food stamps, unemployment, disability).
Certainly you're not implying that the devil is better suited then you? Although I'm sure he has wonderful acumen and would be a great president if he didn't damn us all to hell!
P.S That was a joke
A wonderful criticism of socialism!
Pity there isn't a socialist candidate running to get angry about it.
As for healthcare.... FA is still thinking about it, BLF is DOING it.
...BLF isn't socialist?
BLF, as stated by Jizzie, is pragmatist...we do what makes the most sense to us.
Very funny, BA. We may have some socialists in our party or who support us, but that is only because we have a much larger umbrella and welcome new ideas. We don't care where they come from as long as they make sense and will benefit eSA. We tend to get more from the left because they are not at all accepted by the right, whereas we value all opinions.
We also have right-wingers and conservatives in the BLF, but these are mainly free-thinkers who don't want conservative ideals dictated to them. We welcome them for what they have to offer and they appreciate us for letting them speak their mind without fear of being brow-beaten or pressured to follow a party line. I'm not saying the FA does that, I'm just explaining why BLF is not ideologically based and has attracted the broadest spectrum of citizens.
I think Browski is a good man and he is trying really hard to overcome some of the limitations of his party's politics, structure, and personalities. It is just that some of all that creeps me out. Browski is a rare gem in a party that lacks complete sentences, rational thought ( at least publicly ) and civility.
One thing I really like about BLF is that I can post an idea and have it debated and discussed in a rational way without been called "noob" or condescended too if it turns out to not be a good idea.
In brainstorming, you sift through a lot of bad stuff to get to good stuff. What is really neat is that sometimes we get a pretty good one! And then we do stuff! We succeed sometimes, we fail sometimes - but, I don't know, it seems right and proper. We try. We DO.
Browski! Come join us! We have sexy parties! Yes, we DO !
I look forward to hearing FA's health care plan. I wonder how many presidential terms it will take them to get around to implementing it?
Another two or three terms I'm guessing.
Thanks Elizabeth - but i'll not be moving - FA is at least three months ahead of most of the other parties when it comes to organisation and structure. It's why we have doubled in little over a month and are stronger than anyone else. As as to the people - i've found them sensable and derurmined to free South Africa. I love FA and it's members.
I'll not respont to all the other stuff - it's just misleading - read the article properly and if your not a socilist Vote BROWSKI
Hey even if you are a socilist Vote BROWSKI - you know it makes sence
Tagging new members doesn't spell "at least three months ahead of most of the other parties when it comes to organisation and structure" to me, Browski. Fail Africa has a good recruitment policy, but it has no policies for eSA as your pitiful campaign demonstrates.
You do not deserve to win tomorrow. Period.
I will ask this only once, and I will ask this of all parties: Please don't mix the eSouth Africa Health Center into your politics.
It is not a BLF brainchild, and neither is it a backup for the FA plan; it is a health center, and nothing more. It is independent of any political affiliations. It endorses no candidates, follows no political agendas, and belongs to no government organization. It is not governed according to any ideology, neither political, religious, nor whathaveyou. It does not discriminate, nor show favour based upon political affiliation, place of work, where you've lived before eSA, or whether you're "real life" this or that.
Do not for a second think that my political affiliations and personal beliefs hold any bearing upon the policies or practices of the eSouth Africa Health Center.
The eSAHC is the eSAHC. It serves the people, and that is all.
Sorry Lucien. Point taken. I understand that you endorse no one and was mistaken when I said it was backed by the BLF. I had read that in another article and took it at face value. I will edit my most recent campaign article to reflect that.
All I will say in regards to the eSAHC is that I would like to procure a small amount of govt. support for it if that is necessary to keep it solvent. That is entirely my choice and was not influenced by you or the eSAHC organization in any way.
I never said the eSAHC was partisan, and I don't intend for anyone to read my comment as such. I was pointing out that a civilian had taken the initiative to recreate a beneficial program for national health, regardless of affiliation.
Actually browski, 3 month's is a terribly misleading numbers. In the past WEEK (not month) the BLF has almost doubled in numbers (Over doubled since last elections where we sat at less then 30). Numbers don't reflect organization...besides I hear through the grapevine that you guys aren't very good at approving members on your forums.
I've heard something about that too, Gabe.
And yes, the growth of the BLF has been shocking. Even I can't believe the numbers over the past week or so. If we somehow lose, this election will still be considered a success in my book.
Sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound like I was commenting to anyone in particular...I simply saw a slew of articles and comments that implied or seemed to imply that the eSAHC was formed under partisan pretexts, and I was merely replying to all of them in general.
-Lucien Morjuet