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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jock Ewing Fan" data-source="post: 432992" data-attributes="member: 40536">We can agree that there are better ways to implement economic policy, that is not in dispute.  Perhaps a different term is needed that combines multiple elements of economic philosophies, because socialism, by definition is a planned economy, that is antithetical to the free market and entrepreneurship.  Nordic socialism does have disadvantages such as high taxes. It can be argued that higher tax rates have a negative impact on incentives. Americans will never tolerate those levels of taxation. Enhancing social safety nets is a worthwhile goal, but how best to do it is debatable. I don't understand what individual freedoms that we do not have, that Nordic countries have. Currently, small business owners do not have to be unionized, there is a process for resolving labor disputes, public education is available, and tens of millions are receiving public assistance.  Not a perfect system, granted, but one that has worked well enough to reach 250 years next year. Some  of the reasons that the US can not adopt that model is that the histories and cultures of the USA and Scandinavian are completely different, not to mention population size.  The USA is also far more diverse in urban/suburban/rural locales, the development of different regions, diversity of ethnics/race/religions etc .However I do appreciate your reasoned response, as opposed to those who have nothing of substance to contribute.And rhetoric aside, The NYC mayor elect has no realistic plan to pay for these programs, and no biographical expertise to implement such programs.This is NYC, not some small town with population less than 1000.  The failures that could (and maybe even are likely to) happenwould have major effects across sectors.The establishment response, as you describe, may not have the best priorities in some cases, but it is not all wrong, either.Much of what results are imperfect solutions/policies in an imperfect world.People ultimately pursue their own self-interest, regardless of economic status.It is Adam Smith's "The Invisible Hand" at work, and it has been overwhelmingly successful over time, in results and predicting economic choices.Socialism did not launch Apple and Microsoft, for example, not to mention thousands of private sector innovations from numerous corporate entities The wealthy have far more options,but the middle  class is being increasingly burdened.  The pie-in -the-sky policies will impact them negatively,just by their mere proposals.  People and business who can leave, will leave, and taxes will increase while resources decreaseThat is a recipe for an economic catastrophe.There is no paradise, and never will be, as long as we  imperfect humans are here</blockquote>

Verification: Who played JR Ewing?