I saw the movie, also. I will admit I have only seen it once so far. I do think it's unfair the ruling class is allowed to live in luxury and surrounded by comfort while poor people are born, live, and die as basically slaves to the system. I quit using my Bank of America account after watching this movie, and I will not go back. If there was a system to survive without using Federal Reserve money, I would. I am seriously thinking about leaving this country altogether. The main constraint on me is the fact I don't really know anyone in any other country, and I only speak English, at least for right now. I have watched, "Loose Change: An American Coup" on Netflix several times in the past week. The evidence seems more compelling and overwhelming than ever; those planes were allowed to hit their targets, and the buildings in New York were intentionally demolished by the United States Government. Through this movie, I have learned about Major General Smedley Butler. He was a highly decorated officer, and he warned at the end of his life that all these wars we get involved in are really about making people rich, NOT protecting America. Dwight Eisenhower said much the same thing, if you'll remember. I think the sad truth is, we are living in a nation run by an oligarchy. This is not a republic, this is not a democracy, this is an oligarchy. Billionaires and the families connected to those billionaires run this nation. If you disagree with me, watch the newest version of Loose Change twice, and tell me with which parts you disagree. I will gladly watch any movie or documentary or read any article you want me to which presents your side of any argument.

Capitalism is not perfect. America is not perfect. We the little people are being used, manipulated, lied to, and suppressed by the upper class. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we find a good reason (i.e. Securing the Homeland) to take away freedom of speech on the internet.

Why is Socialism so evil again? What is wrong with putting a limit on how much one person is allowed to be worth, say $5 Billion? Why not get rid of corporations altogether?

Scipiomphs....You should go live in another country, then you would realize how good you have it here. You are whats wrong with America, you bitch and complain how bad you have it, how walked on you are. Compare yourself to most in a socialist country and you will see how well you have it.

no system is perfect but in America we have a chance to change things and grow. I don't care to much for P. Obama but any American can point to him and say "This is what can be done in America"

Come on brian, Micheal Moore is nothing but a propogandist. He makes "documentary's" on things and shows one side to it. There was another famous guy like him, Joseph Goebbel, who made things look like what he wanted them too.

I haven't seen the documentary your referencing but his lone example of why Rome fell is laughable. It may be a small piece of the puzzel but very small. LOL,,,I can't believe you used that. You should read Edward Gibbons [*] The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire if your really interested in a real opnion and not a hack's. Its 3000 pages long so I suggest Audible,,

I also would say communism and Socialism are not that different. both are based on the premise that all good and services should be given to the masses, and that the government should oversee this. I'll get into what I think of Socialism another time.

Quote: Brian says
Ironically, so many of the good, positive things that this country has implemented (civil rights, women's rights, child labor laws, etc.) have absolutely no place in a truly free market.

I would say that these "goods" have been a result of the freedoms enjoyed in this country. Freedom to stand up and fight for your right, to band together and fight back against the goverment, implement change. You can not do this in a Socialist county where the goverment reigns supream. (Or at least not in recorded Socialist/Communist countries)

In case you haven't met someone who thinks big government is bad regardless of what they give my town,,,Well, thats me. I would completly do away with earmarks. But i'm not running for political office..

Quote: Alexis de Tocqueville said
Democracy extends the sphere of individual freedom, socialism restricts it. Democracy attaches all possible value to each man; socialism makes each man a mere agent, a mere number. Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude

Cam, I believe Churchhill agrees with you about the unfairness of wealth in American.

Quote: Churchhill said
"Capitalism's problem is the uneven distribution of wealth, which socialism's virtue is the even distribution of misery"

Quote: Scipiomphs....You should go live in another country, then you would realize how good you have it here. You are whats wrong with America, you bitch and complain how bad you have it, how walked on you are. Compare yourself to most in a socialist country and you will see how well you have it.

That's just not true. If you compare the US to China or Russia, then of course we look good. But compare the US to Australia, Iceland, Canada, France, or most of the "socialist" countries in Europe and we fail dismally. We are one of the only westernized countries in the world w/o nationalized healthcare. We pay double what the next most expensive country pays. Our crime and violence put us on par with most third world countries. Our Jini index (which ranks the divide between our rich and our poor) places us alongside such desirable countries as China, India, and Saudi Arabia. We have the largest prison population in the history of the world (watch that video.. crazy).

Quote: Come on brian, Micheal Moore is nothing but a propogandist. He makes "documentary's" on things and shows one side to it. There was another famous guy like him, Joseph Goebbel, who made things look like what he wanted them too.

I acknowledged that.. but that doesn't mean he's wrong. Look around. Look what's happening in this country. It isn't getting any better and it's not because of "socialism". Like Jon Stewart said in his O'Reilly interview.. "socialism is supposed to make poor people richer."

Do you know that 2/3 of our country's income is now consumed by 400 people? In 93, you needed to make 40 million to be among the top 400. Adjusted for inflation, you now have to make 140 million. And of those people making 140 million+, the average tax rate is 18%. So while the average person (our parents) lost 25% of the money they had been saving for retirement because of the crash, the top 400 increased their wealth by $30 billion dollars. Where do you think that $30 billion came from? Capitalism has failed and Bush was a perfect closing speaker for that experiment. Nobody is asking for a Marxist revolution, but let's just get some regulation back in the market to keep people honest.

Quote: I would say that these "goods" have been a result of the freedoms enjoyed in this country. Freedom to stand up and fight for your right, to band together and fight back against the goverment, implement change. You can not do this in a Socialist county where the goverment reigns supream.

Socialism has nothing to do with tyranny. You can have corruption in any political system. Nazi Germany, Iraq, and Iran were/are all Republics. Nobody is saying you shouldn't have freedom. But in a system where money is power, the only institution strong enough to keep corporations too powerful is government. What in the free market is going to keep oil companies from colluding and charging $5 bucks a gallon for gas? What's going to keep auto manufacturers or drug companies from buying and shelving any technology that threatens their profit? Or paying off senators to pass legislation that prohibits or penalizes the innovation in the first place. What's going to keep the banks from charging people 300% interest on the massive amounts of debt that Americans have accrued over the last 30 years.

Micah, you are what's wrong with this country. You should leave and go live and work in some other place. What does saying drivel like that prove? Nothing.

The only reason you believe socialism is evil, is because you were taught to think of Socialists as "the enemy." Why are they your enemy? When has a Socialist ever taken anything from you or harmed you in any way? What difference does it make to you whether someone else decides to live in a socialist country or not? Socialists do not want to set your dog on fire and enslave your children. Socialists want people to live and share and treat others fairly. Capitalists are selfish, greedy pigs who try and figure out a way to collect more wealth than they could ever possibly need with the least possible amount of effort put forth by themselves. For example, explain to me how the CEO of Pfizer earned $14 million last year? Do you know how? He encourages gullible, poor people like my mother to spend 40% of their income on prescription drugs. He wines and dines lawmakers, law enforcers, doctors, and lawyers in order to keep things as they are.

You're not even supposed to have ANY enemies if you're a Christian. You're supposed to love all people unconditionally. You are told to give without expecting anything in return. You are told to give to those who do not deserve the gift, and to give more than what you were asked to give. Does this sound like Capitalism to you? Do you realize the Bible tells you not to charge interest, but Capitalism is based on people charging interest? This is the great irony for most Americans who see themselves as right wing. You say you follow Christ, but you do not stick to the simplest of his teachings. You do not rescue the poor or father the fatherless. You do not generously give to your enemies or lower your defenses and make yourself strong through vulnerability. You claim to love Jesus and his teachings, but you're all for dropping nuclear bombs on whole cities full of people and banishing anyone who dares to disagree with your views. You plug your ears and scream at the top of your lungs like Sean Hannity when he gets a call from an intelligent dissenter.

War is a racket, Micah. War is a racket, and he who joins the military to collect a paycheck and be a pawn in the games of other men while risking his own life and destroying countless others is not wise.