Is Obama a Socialist?

[denuseri]

They are both dependent upon the same type of exchange (this for that)...which when one gets down to it is no different than the barter system in reality.

[steelish]

They are both dependent upon the same type of exchange (this for that)...which when one gets down to it is no different than the barter system in reality.

Sorry, I have to disagree. In a free market, you purchase from a retailer or merchant and in turn, that merchant or retailer spends the money they receive and the market grows and prospers. If they provide poor service or the quality of product is poor, their business suffers as a result and the market ebbs and flows naturally. In socialism, when the government is full of entitlement programs and provides and/or sells much of what the "consumer" needs, the money does not flow through the market, nor is there any consequence to the government for poor service or a poor quality product. It's almost a one-way street. Remember the lines for food in Russia?

[DuncanONeil]

No they are not!

In a capitalist system I make a product. I take the risk of putting my resources into the product. I make a good product and a perceived good price and I succeed.

In a socialist system the government makes all the products. The is no reward or incentive for me to improve or do a better job. Further if the product is shoddy or perceived of as too expensive (i.e. poor value) I have no choice. There is only one source!

They are both dependent upon the same type of exchange (this for that)...which when one gets down to it is no different than the barter system in reality.