quote:Originally posted by NashBama:quote:Think about that before you attack ME for saying it. Government OF THE PEOPLE, BY the People and FOR the people is socialism.
It's clear you don't understand exactly what socialism is. From the American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy:
"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."
Socialism is not a good thing. A socialist society means the people have given up or lost individual freedoms. Their way of life is controlled by their government.
A government of the people, by the people, and for the people means that the people control the government. In a socialist society the government controls the people. If you're such a fan of socialism, I'm sure you'll enjoy living in China or North Korea. They are still holding on to the socialist ideals.
I don't agree with Helen Keller's politics, but every historical figure has a dark side. It's not her ideas that we acknowledge, it's her ability to overcome adversity and become successful.
NashBama, The dictionary definition is CORRECT. But, we make a distinction between Socialist and Communist. Sweeden is SOCIALIST relative to the USA, and Capitalist relative to China.
Tyranny is NOT A FUNCTION OF ECONOMIC PLAN. The NATIONAL SOCIALISTS, were Tyrants, but they were not SOCIALISTS. Private corporations financed and manufactured the materials for the Third Reich's War.
The essential problem with the dictionary definition of Socialism is the fact that such a system HAS NEVER EXISTED.
Communism is also known as Marxist Socialism. The reason for the distinction is that Communism sought total global domination under a socialist or communal economic plan. Government of the people BY THE PEOPLE IS SOCIALISM. The reality of that statement is unavoidable. PURE AND SIMPLE, WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT IS OWNED BY THE PEOPLE. Or we have a government that has been BOUGHT FROM THE PEOPLE BY THE ELITE. I did not agree to sell my GOVERNMENT to Halliburton, or Chevron, or a cartel of the corporations.