Should the US pursue Mamdani’s socialist goal to seize the means of production?

[SolitarySolace]

In a 2021 speech to the Young Democratic Socialists of America, Zohran Mamdani referred to “the end goal of seizing the means of production” and said socialists should remain unapologetic about that objective. The phrase generally means transferring ownership or control of productive property—such as major businesses, factories, land, and industry—from private owners to workers, the state, or collective institutions.

Do you support that goal for the United States?

I approve of seizing the means of production

I oppose of seizing the means of production

[loveslongnails]

"Seizing the means of production" ... oh, what a "communist revolution"! LOL Fear mongering is such wonderful American capitalist tactic.

Anyway, I absolutely believe the production of certain things should be in the hands of the people who produce them, and the governing bodies of said people. HOWEVER, the problem is competency, effectiveness, efficiency, et. al. If you're going come at me with "any private or for profit company will do it better", save your breath. Better, maybe... cost you lots more, definitely.

All utilities should be non-profit. Food production should be HIGHLY regulated like it is in sensible countries, and land monopolies should not be allowed, and that includes shell companies and bullshit manipulations by billionaires. There's NO good reason why local farms couldn't survive if giant food producers were properly regulated.

Other countries who are run by people that actually CARE of the health of their citizens, the level of education, and overall livability, have found ways to do this. None are perfect, but many are a far cry from the disastrous state of affairs in the USA today, from the poison we're fed physically, to the poison we're fed in propaganda, media and schools. Capitalism has run amok in the USA, and this is what you get.

[goaded]

[loveslongnails]

@goaded Absolutely, 100% spot on. They TOLD you this would be the tactic from day 1. "Shock and awe", "Flood the playing field". You don't have enough time to respond the Monday's total horseshit because on Wednesday, you're dealing with bullshit, and Friday, it's some other kind of shit. But that has always been the plan.

[Just_Ken]

Yes. Because that absolutely has worked everywhere it has been done. Cuba, Venezuela, iran, the soviet union, countries in the Warsaw pact, Zimbabwe, china, Vietnam, North korea... all big successes with happy populations.

Im absolutely 100% sure nothing will go wrong.

[FreyaRed]

We had this type of "socialism" 50 years in Warsaw Pact states. Planned economy doesn't work and even China allowed capitalist ownership of property and production in coastal regions.

It's like some never ending story. After few years or two decades some idiot come out and think he will do it better. However I think it's not about socialism, this guy just want size real estate and production to redistribute it among his cronies to gain power, while exploiting socialist ideology. By the way it's exactly what east European commies did 80 years ago.

[Lliam]

I am strongly opposed to the government seizing the means of production. Fuck the corrupt government.
I would like to see more worker-owned businesses and profit sharing. "Of the people, by the people, for the people." That's a kind of capitalism I could get behind.

[SolitarySolace]

“iwould like to see more worker-owned businesses and profit sharing. "Of the people, by the people, for the people." That's a kind of capitalism I could get behind.”

Dude, that is not capitalism… that is socialism… you can’t combine the two and still consider it capitalism

[Lliam]

How is it socialism when people work where they want and spend their money as they wish with no government interference?

Why is corporatism the only form of capitalism?

[Lliam]

Corporatism is like feudalism or fascism.

[SolitarySolace]

@Liam A voluntary worker cooperative can exist inside capitalism. That is not what democratic socialists ultimately mean when they demand worker ownership.

They want to transfer control of the means of production away from private business owners and shareholders and place it under workers, collectives, or the state. Once government uses law and political power to replace ordinary private ownership across the economy, that is socialism—not merely another optional business model.

Capitalism allows cooperatives, family businesses, sole proprietorships, corporations, partnerships, and employee profit-sharing to coexist. Socialism seeks to make collective ownership the governing rule and private ownership the exception—or eliminate it altogether.

So the issue is not whether workers may voluntarily own a company. The issue is whether existing owners retain the freedom to own and operate their businesses without being forced to surrender control.

[Lliam]

I didn't endorse the Democratic Socialist's agenda.

I clearly said that "I am strongly opposed to the government seizing the means of production. Fuck the corrupt government" in response to your specific question.

I don't like communism or corporate capitalism because they are both authoritarian.

However, I do think that the government stepping in with the Sherman Antitrust Act was necessary. I support strong oversight and control of large corporations.

I also like the Eisenhower-era progressive income tax.

[strateguy632]

Reminds of crime "conspiracy to steal". conspiracy to commit theft is when two or more people make an agreement to unlawfully take someone else's property.

At the moment it is unlawful and owned. So now conspiring is already a crime.

changing the law "don't steal except from rich" is like nuremberg laws.

People say "if they are rich it is not stealing" but same action. Is same crime.

[NaultD]

What's the gears of production today? Basically AI stealing all of our data. If we don't own our own data this is 1984 big brother bullshit.

[Just_Ken]

I can see the bread lines now...

[NaultD]

@Just_Ken we won't even have that. Our current archaic tip gig economy you'll just be able to scrape together food gas rent but nothing else. Too tired too fat to riot.

[NaultD]

https://youtu.be/Dl_WJawQEgo?is=0H6VxCLmauGnErYX

[darkcloud1945]

Of course, he wants the transfer of ownership right into his family's fortune along with the rest of the AMERICA LAST DEMOCRATS taking over everything, and as NANCY PELOSI said, give us the crumbs just as Russia, China, DPRK do to their people

[Dargil]

It has never succeeded without bloodshed and oppression.

[msc545]

When the means of production, as you so quaintly phrased it, are being seized by individuals and used to control and harm the majority of the population, they should be seized.

[canamlusciouslad73]

It would have to be done carefully and over time so as not to ruin the U. S. economy.

[fishbone77]

I hope the 27% that voted 'approve' are trolling. other wise they are idiots.

[Cidknee]

I approve of walking that type of scum to the gallows.

[DonaldDarko]

Sure if you want Soviet results.

[FrodoSkywalker007]

No thanks. Communism doesn't work.