the "pampered western worker" may have it good compared to other countries, but how can you ignore the fact that the average standard of living has been in decline since the early 60's. expendable income has dropped considerably while expendatures have increased without relent. perhaps you need a taste of what average really is here in wonderland. maybe you should come for a visit to vancouver say around main and hastings, have lunch at carnege centre to see how great things are here. take a stroll thru pidgeon park take in the scene. things are the way they are because ppl afraid to change, or even give the idea of change the light of day. this current status quo will not lead us anywhere but down. unless of course you are one of the top 3% of society, then things are just rosey i guess, and heck why would you want to change that?

i'm sorry, but as for usa being socialist, i'm just gonna have to stand back and shake my head. i'll admit there are a few socialist ideas, but there are far more fascist principles indoctrinated within american society than would allow for any form of socialist society to take place.

I would personally favour a true free market myself, mixed with a more socialist slant on things like social services, art, education, hospitals. these things profit margins should not be asscociated with, the debts on society will far be overshadowed by the benefits of a healthy well educated, and cultured society. profit farming in those areas allows for ppl to pull too many dirty tricks when chasing that carrot. only problem with current government control of these items is the fact that lobbyist's paid for by so called free market capitalist companies corrupt the dick bag politicians into fucking everything up setting up the plays for the cut throat umbrella corps to fill the gaps after the supposedly untennable government system has let ppl down. some politicians will always be corrupt, humans will always be greedy, rewarding those traits with a near no limits approach is the real issue that makes capitalism such a burden to humanity in it's current form. we need real change in this society not just a different colour of asshole running the show.