I don't know about socialism, but I'm probably the world's foremost socilist. I work at a very pro-socilist think tank, and we do research into the feasibility of socilism and even lobby politicians to support legislation which is in line with out socilist agenda.

Yes, but the question is; is socialism good?

Depends on your definition of such an abstract concept as "good"

Of course socilism is good. Even better than evnironmetnalism.

Socialism becomes Communism too easily in hard times. Socialism is better served by a calm climate in which it can easily implement reform.

With a complex system with 6 billion components i guess a valid answer is that .."we will see" it may well be that this crisis is an opportunity to reset some of our planets goals and aims.

it does seem that people might be waking up and realizing the "elite" of this world have been screwing us and the planet for their parasitic lifestyle and throwing us bread and circuses to distract us.

I think the question is a little too broad to answer. I do think, though, that the brand of capitalism that has been pushed by both parties here in the US for the past few decades has taken a MAJOR hit, though. (As it rightly should.)

Unfortunately, many "leaders" in the GOP seem bent on pushing the same line of massive tax cuts as the solution for everything. *sigh*

socialism cannot work on a large scale

He's not asking if socialism is good. The question is if the credit crunch is good for socialism. The answer is of course. Its not the "credit crunch" specifically, it is that any hard time is good for the socialist agenda. The sweeping democratic election is recent proof, as they are more socialist than repubs.

So the follow up question is how do the dems balance the "need" of the people to want more big govt and resolve the issues.

Even though I am a big opponent of socialism, I will willingly admit that this credit crunch exposes many of capitalism's weakness and this will turn some towards socialism.

capitalism vs. socialism is a false dichotomy, it's all a bunch of statist bullshit.

"Credit Crunch" is bad for everyone. Except those who can exploit the negative and frustrated atmosphere i.e. Hitler

i.e. obama

Obama isn't as talented, If Hilter and Obama would be leading equal power nations. Obama would be smashed down. Even if Hitler was an insane maniac.

insane maniac, AND great painter.
history always dillutes things.
ha.

I dont know though.
theres alot of similarities.
hope for change is the slogan hitler ran under.
and those fucking obama posters... take out the blue and there were posters of hitler that were like that.

and theres other similarities.
like look at hitler
-The economic conditions in Germany after World War I were horrible.
-Adolf Hitler honed his oratory skills and became a superb speaker.
-Adolf Hitler surrounded himself with thugs and Jew haters.
-Adolf Hitler and the Nazis blamed the Jews for their problems.
-Adolf Hitler spoke of change and a new Germany.
-The people of Germany got caught up in the euphoria of the changes that Hitler promised.
-The Nazis burned books to eradicate records and contrary thoughts.
-The Nazis bullied Jews and other segments of society.
-The Nazis were elitists with talk of the Arayan Race.

now look at obama

-The perceived economic conditions are bad. The economic conditions are perfect here compared to post War War I Germany.
-Obama worked on his oratory skills. He is a superb speaker with the ability to mesmerize his followers.
-Obama has been surrounded by racists, criminals and drug users.
-Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, and others have blamed white people and Jews for their problems.
-Obama constantly speaks of change.
-Obama supporters are caught up in the euphoria of the moment and Obama’s promise of change.
-Obama has denied having records, not provided records and been extremely evasive when asked to supply records.
-Obama supporters have bullied bloggers when questions about Obama or his past are asked. Some of these attacks are clearly orchestrated by the Obama Campaign. Some of these bullies have attacked family members of bloggers.
-Obama has recently shown his elitist attitude during his speech in San Francisco. His arrogance parallels Hitler’s Aryan race comments in regard to Obama’s God Like omnipotence in regard to having the answers to problems.

I'm not saying obama is hitler or anything.
not trying to imply anything, just pointing some stuff out

when did you become a tea bagging right wing nut job sic?
"criminals and drug users" dont you have a "criminal" record and use drugs?
methinks you just like to go against the grain..whatever the grain might be. sure Obama isn't the second coming but jeez he isnt the antichrist either.

yeah I know, the antichrist is never even mentioned in the bible, let alone that the bible is a story book. I'm pretty sure the antichrist doesnt exist.

I say criminal in the sense that they are actually doing something wrong, not that they broke a law.
I do use drugs occasionally, but I am not charged with helping to run a country og three hundred and eleven million people.

obama has appointed one of histories worst cabinents.
geitner? come on, the last person who should be secretary of treasury is the former ceo of the federal reserve. and clinton? come on the last person who should be secretary of state is some warhawk bitch like clinton who is just dying to turn iran into a glass parking lot.

going against the grain isnt how I get myself off, if you say something I agree with I will acknowlegde that, no matter how mainstream it is.
and right and left is a false dichotomy, liberals or conservative they're all capitalists.
there are people all over the political spectrum I agree with on at least some issues, be you a republican or a hippie. communist or a democrat. libertarian or socialist. marxist or capitalist.

@Sicarius, Obama hasn't killed millions of Jews, or invaded anywhere. There may be similarities between the two, but most those similarities are common in many leaders who increase government influence.

as to the cabinet appointments
secretary of treasury - have ALWAYS been basically Wall Street's ambassador inside the White house, they represent Big Capital's interest, Geitner and all previous appointments to the same position., under bush, under clinton and so on.
H.Clinton... ...so you prefer Powell or Rice? once again this appointment has to be acceptable to the israeli lobby,
" mainstream" "pragmatic" think tanks and policy circles in Washington.

Cabinet positions are basically the representatives of various groups whose interest that particular department purviews.

yes, of course bad times are good for socialism. it makes the people who are losing their jobs/hurting financially even hungrier for the idealistic socialist society where everyone has the same amount of money. even if you like socialism, its pretty much a fact that socialism/communism will never gain power in the US.

I still think the Credit Crunch is bad for Socialism. The main reason is that it appears too good for Socialism. Diplomacy players should understand this. Is Russia getting 3 builds in 1901 good for the Tsar? The obvious answer is yes, but what happens to 3 build Russias? If any other players in the game are sane then the natural result is a Brit/German/Austrian?Turkish alliance with the intention of getting rid of a power who gets 7 units in 2 turns. Already we've had one member try to compare Obama with Hitler (by the way, I'm calling Godwin's law on Sicarius) and if this sort of idea takes control we'll end up with the next idiot Republican as Potus. Socialism should never again attempt to misuse crises or it will unleash the reactionary explosion of the fearful.

Most of the US is already using socialism- government run roads, education, garbage, and other services. While its a good idea to keep many industries privatized, sometimes corporationism (when capitalism goes too far, and gets involved in government) some oversight would be helpful. As to whether socialism will welcome in the apocalypse, just remember to take everything in moderation. What doesn't kill you, will eventually.

An actual socialist country would own productive sectors of society instead of charitable ones.

@Sicarius: Hitler actually did produce some really awesome paintings. I have a postage stamp of his; the Austrian postal service still issues them.