>>43
"Having bits of socialism tacked on does not make you socialist. Just because you're not an ultra-capitalist does not automatically mena you are a socialist. If you think the Democratic party is socialist, then you're off your rocker. They're not even close to left-wing."
Dems not even close to left-wing you say? LOL. The democrats want to nationalize the health care industry. Socialized medicine.. Wikipedia describes the party as being 'center-left'. If the dems are to the left of center, that makes them more socialist than capitalist, right? Center-left, I would be inclined to describe as socialist, especially considering their apparent intent to socialize health care in the USA, raise price controls on labor, and in general increase the governments control over the economy.
Now, consider that Federal, State, and Local taxes consume 47% of the national income. How much further to the left do we need to go to become 'Socialist'? How much government management of the economy does it take for you to say a country is 'socialist'? I'm not saying the USA is socialist, but Hitler was significantly farther to the left (in terms of economics, but not social issues), than the democrats.
http://www.harrybrowne.org/GLO/GreatLibertarianOffer.htm
"From above definition of socialism: "in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government"
To continue to fuel this discussion, here is another definition of socialism I'm going to offer (
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/socialism):
"An economic system in which the production and distribution of goods are controlled substantially by the government rather than by private enterprise, and in which cooperation rather than competition guides economic activity. There are many varieties of socialism. Some socialists tolerate capitalism, as long as the government maintains the dominant influence over the economy; others insist on an abolition of private enterprise. All communists are socialists, but not all socialists are communists."
As stated, there are many variants of socialism. Socialism and fascism both require stringent socioeconomic controls. Some socialists tolerate capitalism, as long as the government maintains the dominant influence over the economy. An economic system in which the production and distribution of goods are *CONTROLLED* (regulated) substantially by the government.
Ok, so now we have a more general idea of what socialism is. Socialism, generally, is significant government controls/intervention into the economy... speaking very generally. It has many forms. Intense state ownership, regulation, or 'control' of industry. Socialism is not *just* state ownership of industry - there is more to it than that.
"Communism /= Socialism. Don't confuse the two; it looks silly."
I didn't confuse the two. I don't think I even mentioned communism.