I typed syrup first and when it wasn't accepted realized that Maple Syrup has to be the right answer, there are too many other types and Vermont is famous for its Maple Syrup.
It really should specify that Vermont is the leading producer in the US. This seems like it should be fairly simple and uncontroversial and should've been fixed years ago.
Those of us from New England differentiate. When I say syrup I'm talking about a racist plastic bottle I keep in the cabinet. Maple syrup is leaf or jug shaped and often glass, inevitably found in the waaay back of the fridge :)
I hate when people just assume all American politics are somehow to the far far right for “European” standards. No, raising the minimum wage and wanting more healthcare are not right-wing positions.
I mean it depends how you look at. If it's from the perspective of what should change (ie. raising the minimum wage) then sure but if you look at it from a more absolute viewpoint (ie. minimum wage should $15) then no.
Notice the word socialist still and how you knew that was the answer, it's alright, he's not going to be president this term (like our other choices are any better LOLZ)
Bernie is a DEMOCRATIC socialist not a socialist. And no it isn't just semantics; they aren't the same thing. The second term is just used by the right to scare people.
Agreed. Calling Bernie Sanders a socialist is wildly inaccurate. Even "democratic socialist" is a misleading term, but it's better at least. "Progressive" or "liberal" would also work I feel, but definitely not "socialist."
It's complicated, but go here and then search for "Socialist" to see all the ways that Bernie Sanders is described by himself and others as Socialist:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders
Now, the original meaning of the "socialism" is that workers own the means of production, and is sometimes used to describe a country such as the USSR or Cuba. However, socialism also means things like publicly owned health care, or generous welfare systems, or other things such as you might find in a country like Sweden. Going back to Wikipedia:
"Socialists disagree about the degree to which social control or regulation of the economy is necessary, how far society should intervene and whether government, particularly existing government, is the correct vehicle for change."
So yeah, I'm pretty comfortable calling Bernie Sanders a socialist, and I doubt he would disagree with me. It's not meant as an insult, merely a statement of fact.
Personally, I still can't say I agree. I get that "socialist" is a vague term that can have many connotations... and I get that he is identified by a large portion of the American public (and himself) as a socialist, and that in and of itself can affect how people perceive socialism... but, at the end of the day, "socialism" is still mostly identified with the government ownership of wealth/the means of production. The problem with this is that "socialism" has become a trigger word among many Americans that evokes the idea of countries like the USSR and Cuba (among members of both parties I might add), which is not what Bernie advocates for at all. The model he wants is more of a mixed economy that still leans toward free market capitalism, just with large amounts of government intervention and welfare (like Norway and Sweden).
When people call Bernie just a "socialist" without the "democratic" part, they typically aren't accurately portraying him. Regardless of what people think of him personally, it's important that we strive for accurate portrayals of politicians so that the public can make informed decisions when they vote and engage in public discourse.
That all being said, I won't argue too much with you over this. I'm assuming most of the people here know what you mean when you call Bernie a "socialist," and I think your argument has merit to it. I just think that we as a society need to more careful about our use of that word, and make sure everyone understands what it means in the context that Bernie uses it in.
Remember when Howard Dean was a leading presidential candidate until he committed the cardinal sin of making a weird screeching noise on TV? Remember when even that negligible breach of decorum sunk a presidential campaign? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
I really feel like the maple syrup question should specify that Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the US. Just saying that it is the largest producer of maple syrup is at worst wrong and at best misleading.
I was a bit worried starting this quiz as I know nothing about Vermont except that the von Trapp family moved there, of "The Sound of Music" fame, but there wasn't even a question on that! I was quite pleased I ended up getting 10 though.
Like _____ _____? That way you don’t have to change the answer.
Quebec - 1,365,128 km
If you're not a math person, that's 57X as large. Shall we talk population as well?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders
Now, the original meaning of the "socialism" is that workers own the means of production, and is sometimes used to describe a country such as the USSR or Cuba. However, socialism also means things like publicly owned health care, or generous welfare systems, or other things such as you might find in a country like Sweden. Going back to Wikipedia:
"Socialists disagree about the degree to which social control or regulation of the economy is necessary, how far society should intervene and whether government, particularly existing government, is the correct vehicle for change."
So yeah, I'm pretty comfortable calling Bernie Sanders a socialist, and I doubt he would disagree with me. It's not meant as an insult, merely a statement of fact.
That all being said, I won't argue too much with you over this. I'm assuming most of the people here know what you mean when you call Bernie a "socialist," and I think your argument has merit to it. I just think that we as a society need to more careful about our use of that word, and make sure everyone understands what it means in the context that Bernie uses it in.