I think we suffer from divergent definitions...

From Merriam-Webster:

Main Entry: so·cial·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈsō-shə-ˌli-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1837
1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.



Main Entry: com·mu·nism
Pronunciation: \ˈkäm-yə-ˌni-zəm, -yü-\
Function: noun
Etymology: French communisme, from commun common
Date: 1840
1 a: a theory advocating elimination of private property b: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2capitalized a: a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics b: a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production c: a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably d: communist systems collectively


Main Entry: cap·i·tal·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈka-pə-tə-ˌliz-əm, ˈkap-tə-, British also kə-ˈpi-tə-\
Function: noun
Date: 1877
: an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market

I think folks get confused by the term equality. Some think it is a state where in all have equally. Others think it is the state of having equal opportunity to provide for themselves. The spirit and context of the Constitution is that all have equal opportunity. Those who are enticed by a Socialist/Communist ideal, believe that egalitarianism (equal results) is possible while ignoring human nature.

I believe that communal living is possible. I believe it is preferrable. I believe that 'from each according to his means and to each according to his needs' is a noble and edified ideal....if, if, if, if compliance and participation is VOLUNTARY and not coerced.

Anyone who would impose Socialist ideals dismisses the value of one man's established worth and exaggerates the value that another man has established. As human nature would have it, the power that does this destroys the incentive to produce of both the provider and the recipient while authority himself gains power over the dependent, using him to control the provident. Ultimately, the system must collapse or evolve to Communism.

Don't have any of that, don't have anyone promising that.

Have a little bit of that, thanks to Republican loosening of the eminent domain laws. No candidate is promoting that this time around though. None promoting government run production of goods either.
Damn. Almost made it. Unfortunately, ever since the days of slavery we've had unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done. My brother's former colleagues got paid more than I did at my last job, and they spent half their day surfing the net. Friggin' socialist private enterprise.

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1984 300TD

Ever since the evolution of life on Earth there has been unequal distribution of resources. That's life.

B

So what you're saying is that the natural order of things is socialism. I quoted it, so you can't take it back.

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1984 300TD

Thats what Marx said, almost word for word.

No, I said the unequal distribution of resources is the nature of life. Human cultures adjust to that fact in a variety of ways.

B

I was only joking. I noticed the substitution of resources for goods and pay.

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1984 300TD

True: if Obama is the next president there will still be rich and poor.
The difference will only be slightly smaller.

Joe the plumber is a strategy to get average Joe to think that Obama
will raise his taxes. Palin/McCain can't say that the Obama tax plan
will raise middle class taxes and Joe the plumber is a way to get around
that.

Joe the lawyer, cardiologist.... might get a tax increase but that does
not work politically.

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cult plus time equals religion