my parents sent us all to private school ...my parents are the tea party republican people...they did not like the public schools for whatever reason.  my father would rather sit home and make no money than work at a gov job.. i asked him about that one time and he said i can't take money from other hard working taxpayers and produce something inferior that i would not be proud of.. ha some answer. he tried to join the military but had flat feet and asthma and they kicked him to the curb...

anyways to answer your question i would say the only kind of socialism that is acceptable is the kind that yu offer to someone else.  meaning if yu want to loan or give away your money to someone less fortunate or more needy than you than that is your choice.  but to just mandate or take it in the form of taxes or fines is not a form of socialism i would support.  taxes to fix infrastructure is one thing but taxes to pay medical bills and insurance for people who will not work is not acceptable . 

i do agree that society is only as good as its weakest link however giving the weakest link money is NOT the way to

help the weakest link plus that whole line of thinking flies in the face of darwinism and survival of the fittest.

Kittyrn says ...

 

Having Ok tea Baggers, Republicans, Right wing  whackos.. et al

I'm a Democrat, but I'll answer anyway.

Necessary services to keep people safe is not Socialism.  I can't believe that you are even asking that.  As for public education and roadways, They've  been with us since the founding fathers, and in case you weren't aware, education is necessary to maintain a Free Society.  Most of what you have mentioned has been around for 100 plus years.  

At some point, if you provide for everything, from the cradle to the grave, and take away free will, then it becomes socialism. 

 

 

Ahhh  I see.. the palatability of any given socialistic program is dependent on the age of the program... Thank you for that well thought out and clear answer.

Umm one more thing... before I forget..... What is the minimum acceptable age of a socialistic program that is can become acceptable ?

Do any programs  started in the FDR New deal meet this age criteria? for example.. the Rural Electrification program? T.V.A.? Social Security ?... Or can they be as recent as any programs put in place by LBJ?

Definition of Capitalism

"Capitalism" is conventionally defined along economic terms such as the following:

An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market.
Source: Dictionary.com

This is an example of a definition by non-essentials. An essential definition of capitalism is a political definition:

Capitalism is a social system based on the principle of individual rights.
Source: Capitalism.org

In order to have an economic system in which "production and distribution are privately or corporately owned", you must have individual rights and specifically property rights. The only way to have an economic system fitting the first definition is to have a political system fitting the second definition. The first is an implication of the second. Because the second, political, definition is fundamental and the cause of the first, it is the more useful definition and is preferable.

Because people often use the term "Capitalism" loosely, "Laissez Faire Capitalism" is sometimes used to describe a true Capitalist system. But this phrase is redundant.

It is important to define "Capitalism" correctly because a proper definition is a prerequisite to a proper defense. Capitalism is the only moral political system because it is the only system dedicated to the protection of rights, which is a requirement for human survival and flourishing. This is the only proper role of a government. Capitalism should be defended vigorously on a moral basis, not an economic or utilitarian basis.

Why is socialism bad? I believe that was the original question.  Socialism concerns itself with the "common good."  The individual's needs and wants are a distant second to the greater good.  Individual choice is irrelevant.  Self determination does not factor into the equation at all.  So do we want to become a society, to put it in our terms, where the patient has no choice whatsoever in healthcare making decisions?  Do you want the government to be able to say, "Yes we know you are dying, but you can't have any more morphine, your comfort is second to the greater good, and an important party official is having surgery and needs that morphine instead.  But don't worry once you are dead, you won't hurt at all."

Education: The education system has always taken the biggest hit anytime the budget needs balancing.  Every adminstration including this one has cut funding to education.  People don't have to scream to cut money to education.  The government does that anyway.  You point to education as an example of socialism.  What shape is our education system in at this point?  The answer is lousy.  I can tell you this as well.  A teacher with a Doctorate level degree gets paid about the same as nurse with an associate's degree.  How do I know this for sure?  I have an associate degree in nursing, and my wife has a doctorate in special education (learning disabled teaching).  I make more than she does.  Yes, you are right, public education is a shining example of a socialist program.

The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx was required reading in a previous college course.

I responded to the post but I guess it offended the editor.. doubleplusungood bellyfeel.

"He who controls the past, controls the future"

Big Brother

1984

George Orwell.

I quit, you win.