Republicans can’t seem to accurately define what socialism is

[Votto]

The truth of the matter is that it is a very broad term. It’s something that’s always been apart of the framework of this country yet Repubs like to pretend it is the antithesis of the Founding Father’s philosophy. Republicans have a hard time even defining the term in their OWN WORDS. That alone tells you they lack a basic understanding of the word.

Weird....you accuse us of not being able to define it.....yet you turn around and say it's a very broad term.....and can't define it yourself.
Socialism is the antithesis of the founding of this country simply because they tried Socialism when settlers to this land first came here and they almost starved to death in the process.
Socialism removes incentive.
When you can sit on your ass and still be warm in the Winter and have something to eat, some folks have a tendency to do just that, sit on their ass.
The only place I've seen that Socialism really works is in Germany.
But only because most of the Germans refuse to sit on their asses.

They can define socialism as "social justice" and it can finally work if only.....

When it does, which is surely must, it will bring utopia, but not until it is world wide.

Socialism is just another flavor of collectivism. We have fascism, communism, Progressivism, etc. They are all different flavors of the same top heavy centralized planning with minor tweeks.

For example, the Nazi regime did not own production in name, but they did pretty much tell them what to do and they called themselves socialists even though they did not own industry in name.

 

[bripat9643]

Socialism: The ideology of looting.

Capitalism: the idea that greed is virtues, and sharing sinful.

Capitalism is simply the recognition of reality, that people respond to incentives. Capitalists don't view sharing as sinful. They view looting as sinful, and that's what so-called socialists are all about, taking stuff other people have earned.

 

[dudmuck]

Geesus... Republicans can't define conservatism much less socialism.

The best definition of conservatism is: Limbaugh evacuating Florida after calling hurricane a hoax.

The basic problem with them defining socialism is they are confusing it with state capitalism. A system where government controls the economy, acting like one big corporation, taking profit for itself.
By contrast, actual socialism is just democratic ownership of the means of production.

snowflakes have a million ways of explaining away the failures of socialism. Calling the failures "state capitalism" is one of those ways. Socialism is where government controls the economy, but you claim that state capitalism is where government controls the economy. How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

The answer is just who decides what to do with the surplus. If its just a few leaders at the top, then its (state) capitalism, or if its democratic, then its socialism.

 

[bripat9643]

The truth of the matter is that it is a very broad term. It’s something that’s always been apart of the framework of this country yet Repubs like to pretend it is the antithesis of the Founding Father’s philosophy. Republicans have a hard time even defining the term in their OWN WORDS. That alone tells you they lack a basic understanding of the word.

Socialism is when people get together, it's easier to kill people who are individual, it's easier to subjugate people who are individual, so they try and prevent people joining forces to become stronger.

The NRA is encouraged, but Unions are discouraged....

It's when people get together? So is the Klan socialist? Is the Nazi party socialist?

Neither is Socialist.

Actually, the Nazi party is socialist. Hint, it's the German workers ... socialist ... party.

And they totally were a centrally planned economy, the definition of socialism

And they used Socialism to recover from the great depression. They went to war because of Germany Uber alles. (Germany over everything else). What slogan did Trump run on again?

Wrong, moron. Socialism turned a recession into the Depression. Socialism is what caused the banking panic.

Trump ran on "Make America Great Again," not "America uber alles," you dumbass.

 

[bripat9643]

Geesus... Republicans can't define conservatism much less socialism.

The best definition of conservatism is: Limbaugh evacuating Florida after calling hurricane a hoax.

The basic problem with them defining socialism is they are confusing it with state capitalism. A system where government controls the economy, acting like one big corporation, taking profit for itself.
By contrast, actual socialism is just democratic ownership of the means of production.

snowflakes have a million ways of explaining away the failures of socialism. Calling the failures "state capitalism" is one of those ways. Socialism is where government controls the economy, but you claim that state capitalism is where government controls the economy. How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

The answer is just who decides what to do with the surplus. If its just a few leaders at the top, then its (state) capitalism, or if its democratic, then its socialism.

Utter horseshit. There's nothing inherent in socialism that requires it to be democratic. In fact, the term "democratic socialism" is an oxymoron. Why even have the qualifier "democratic" if it's not socialism without ihe democratic part?

 

[bripat9643]

Yeah, sure

Do you have a reason to imply I'm a liar?

Germany was socialist, Holmes. The government set all economic policy and companies needed to get signoff for every major decision they made. You are entitled to your own opinion, you are not entitled to your own facts

Did you see me denying it? They didn't go to war over their socialistic ideology. They went to war over their nationalistic ideology. The same ideology that got Trump elected. That is a fact MAGA remember

You're a fucking moron. Turn off the fake news you're watching. It's melting your brain. You can like Trump or not, but the propaganda is just tired

You started trying to tie Nazism to Socialism. I just pointed out that it's just as easy to do to Trumpism. Name-calling and crying foul is pathetic. Don't start something if you're not willing to finish it.

Nazism is by definition a form of socialism. It's central economic planning. The NAZIs knew that, which is why they called themselves the socialist party. Again, companies were directed by the government and had to get all major decisions approved. They just are socialist.

And leftists are so stupid. You whine about "name calling" when I'm just talking about the definition of a word, and in the next sentence you do what you just whined about

And MAGA is an almost literal translation of the slogan Hitler and Goebels shouted at Nuremberg rallies.

Hitler was a vegetarian who loved animals. Apparently all you leftwing granola eaters are a bunch of Nazis.

 

[Tehon]

Geesus... Republicans can't define conservatism much less socialism.

The best definition of conservatism is: Limbaugh evacuating Florida after calling hurricane a hoax.

The basic problem with them defining socialism is they are confusing it with state capitalism. A system where government controls the economy, acting like one big corporation, taking profit for itself.
By contrast, actual socialism is just democratic ownership of the means of production.

snowflakes have a million ways of explaining away the failures of socialism. Calling the failures "state capitalism" is one of those ways. Socialism is where government controls the economy, but you claim that state capitalism is where government controls the economy. How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

The answer is just who decides what to do with the surplus. If its just a few leaders at the top, then its (state) capitalism, or if its democratic, then its socialism.

Simply defined, socialism is a system of production.

It is not defined by how commodities are distributed.

 

[bripat9643]

The truth of the matter is that it is a very broad term. It’s something that’s always been apart of the framework of this country yet Repubs like to pretend it is the antithesis of the Founding Father’s philosophy. Republicans have a hard time even defining the term in their OWN WORDS. That alone tells you they lack a basic understanding of the word.

The term socialism has taken on a very broad meaning. The reason for that isn't only that republicans can't properly define it, but also dolts like yourself.

The reason for it is that every time socialism is tried, it turns into hell on earth, so the socialists have to makeup a new definition for their Utopia.

 

[Tehon]

The truth of the matter is that it is a very broad term. It’s something that’s always been apart of the framework of this country yet Repubs like to pretend it is the antithesis of the Founding Father’s philosophy. Republicans have a hard time even defining the term in their OWN WORDS. That alone tells you they lack a basic understanding of the word.

The term socialism has taken on a very broad meaning. The reason for that isn't only that republicans can't properly define it, but also dolts like yourself.

The reason for it is that every time socialism is tried, it turns into hell on earth, so the socialists have to makeup a new definition for their Utopia.

They simply don't understand. Neither do you.

 

[PredFan]

The truth of the matter is that it is a very broad term. It’s something that’s always been apart of the framework of this country yet Repubs like to pretend it is the antithesis of the Founding Father’s philosophy. Republicans have a hard time even defining the term in their OWN WORDS. That alone tells you they lack a basic understanding of the word.

Well, they could start out by asking their post office, police dept., fire dept., soldiers, etc...

Socialism is taxpayer funds being used collectively to benefit society as a whole, despite income, contribution, or ability.

75 Ways Socialism Has Improved America

The Daily Kos! That's so stupid it's hilarious.

 

[bripat9643]

Geesus... Republicans can't define conservatism much less socialism.

The best definition of conservatism is: Limbaugh evacuating Florida after calling hurricane a hoax.

The basic problem with them defining socialism is they are confusing it with state capitalism. A system where government controls the economy, acting like one big corporation, taking profit for itself.
By contrast, actual socialism is just democratic ownership of the means of production.

snowflakes have a million ways of explaining away the failures of socialism. Calling the failures "state capitalism" is one of those ways. Socialism is where government controls the economy, but you claim that state capitalism is where government controls the economy. How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

The answer is just who decides what to do with the surplus. If its just a few leaders at the top, then its (state) capitalism, or if its democratic, then its socialism.

Simply defined, socialism is a system of production.

It is not defined by how commodities are distributed.

it's a system of both production and distribution. You can't produce anything if you haven't had anything distributed to you.

 

[kaz]

You're a fucking moron. Turn off the fake news you're watching. It's melting your brain. You can like Trump or not, but the propaganda is just tired

You started trying to tie Nazism to Socialism. I just pointed out that it's just as easy to do to Trumpism. Name-calling and crying foul is pathetic. Don't start something if you're not willing to finish it.

Nazism is by definition a form of socialism. It's central economic planning. The NAZIs knew that, which is why they called themselves the socialist party. Again, companies were directed by the government and had to get all major decisions approved. They just are socialist.

And leftists are so stupid. You whine about "name calling" when I'm just talking about the definition of a word, and in the next sentence you do what you just whined about

And MAGA is an almost literal translation of the slogan Hitler and Goebels shouted at Nuremberg rallies.

OK, but that has nothing to do with socialism. That Hitler was a socialist is a reference to his economic system, it doesn't mean that everything he did was socialism. It wasn't "socialism" when he invaded Poland or when he put on his pants in the morning. It was socialism when he directed the German economy

I agree. That was my point, if you invoke Nazism as a way to denounce Socialism you are giving a false equivalency. Hitler had a mustache, using that fact to claim all mustachioed men are evil would be equally ridiculous.

That would be a good point other than two things:

1) I didn't raise Nazism, I responded to a post

2) I didn't argue that socialists are like Nazis so your mustache argument is a strawman

 

[kaz]

I worked in Europe for the American parent company of a Dutch company. They sent me there to improve profit margins. The Dutch rolled in at 9ish. If I was on a call at 5pm, they would stand in the door looking at their watch so they could lock the building. I got locked in buildings several times because they didn't notice I was still there and they locked up and left at 5pm.

Never had a meeting after 5pm or on a weekend. I mean geez, it was their jobs on the line, not mine. They just didn't give a shit. They knew if the company went under they'd get paid by the government for years.

They were proud that they had no work ethic

I'm Belgian, I go to work at 05.50 come home at 17.30. In the spring and fall works picks up and I work 7/7 in 12 hour shifts. I accumulate over 600 hours overtime at least annually. I admit this is unusual in my country but it does put a lie to your generalization.

Actually, one example doesn't contradict a generalization. They don't have dictionaries in Belgium?

Point taken. On the other hand, I speak Dutch, French, some German and English. When you went to Belgium and Holland I suspect that they spoke English to you. So I'd be careful when criticizing my language skills.

Yes, they spoke English to me in both Belgium and Holland and all over Western Europe. Though Spain and Portugal are a lot harder out of the office. And my point was more criticizing your logic than language skills saying you work hard and somehow that proves me wrong. I even said the guy who ran the Belgian office worked hard. I knew two people in the Dutch office who worked hard. In my experience, the Brits have the highest percentage of hard workers in Western Europe.

But the overwhelming feeling of most workers was complete unconcern for whether their company made money or not and they had no sense that it impacted them

I know what your point was, I'm just of the opinion that a smartass comment deserves a smartass reply.

It wasn't a smart ass comment, you're just thin skinned

 

[kaz]

Socialism is when people get together, it's easier to kill people who are individual, it's easier to subjugate people who are individual, so they try and prevent people joining forces to become stronger.

The NRA is encouraged, but Unions are discouraged....

It's when people get together? So is the Klan socialist? Is the Nazi party socialist?

Neither is Socialist.

Actually, the Nazi party is socialist. Hint, it's the German workers ... socialist ... party.

And they totally were a centrally planned economy, the definition of socialism

And they used Socialism to recover from the great depression. They went to war because of Germany Uber alles. (Germany over everything else). What slogan did Trump run on again?

Wrong, moron. Socialism turned a recession into the Depression. Socialism is what caused the banking panic.

Trump ran on "Make America Great Again," not "America uber alles," you dumbass.

The depression started a decade after the income tax in the US. There were high international tariffs, overreaching government regulations. Yep, socialism caused the depression. It was a global war that got us out of it

 

[Tom Horn]

Paying taxes to support the common good, has absolutely nothing to do with socialism's destructive nature.....It's like Margaret Thatcher once said: "Socialism works fine until they run out of other people's money". And let's be clear, the Marxist doctrine of the state finally "withering away" when full communism is achieved is the biggest crock of shit ever uttered....The tyrants who impose that slavery on mankind don't wither away....they never have and never will.

 

[kaz]

You're a fucking moron. Turn off the fake news you're watching. It's melting your brain. You can like Trump or not, but the propaganda is just tired

You started trying to tie Nazism to Socialism. I just pointed out that it's just as easy to do to Trumpism. Name-calling and crying foul is pathetic. Don't start something if you're not willing to finish it.

Nazism is by definition a form of socialism. It's central economic planning. The NAZIs knew that, which is why they called themselves the socialist party. Again, companies were directed by the government and had to get all major decisions approved. They just are socialist.

And leftists are so stupid. You whine about "name calling" when I'm just talking about the definition of a word, and in the next sentence you do what you just whined about

And MAGA is an almost literal translation of the slogan Hitler and Goebels shouted at Nuremberg rallies.

OK, but that has nothing to do with socialism. That Hitler was a socialist is a reference to his economic system, it doesn't mean that everything he did was socialism. It wasn't "socialism" when he invaded Poland or when he put on his pants in the morning. It was socialism when he directed the German economy

I agree. That was my point, if you invoke Nazism as a way to denounce Socialism you are giving a false equivalency. Hitler had a mustache, using that fact to claim all mustachioed men are evil would be equally ridiculous.

Reading your other posts, what's ridiculous about this is you're the one comparing the US to Nazis and you're the one who compared ... slogans. Hypocrisy much?

 

[Tehon]

Geesus... Republicans can't define conservatism much less socialism.

The best definition of conservatism is: Limbaugh evacuating Florida after calling hurricane a hoax.

The basic problem with them defining socialism is they are confusing it with state capitalism. A system where government controls the economy, acting like one big corporation, taking profit for itself.
By contrast, actual socialism is just democratic ownership of the means of production.

snowflakes have a million ways of explaining away the failures of socialism. Calling the failures "state capitalism" is one of those ways. Socialism is where government controls the economy, but you claim that state capitalism is where government controls the economy. How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

The answer is just who decides what to do with the surplus. If its just a few leaders at the top, then its (state) capitalism, or if its democratic, then its socialism.

Simply defined, socialism is a system of production.

It is not defined by how commodities are distributed.

it's a system of both production and distribution. You can't produce anything if you haven't had anything distributed to you.

Yes, that would be the means of production.
In a capitalist system it is privately controlled.
In a socialist system it is communal.

 

[kaz]

Do you have a reason to imply I'm a liar?
Did you see me denying it? They didn't go to war over their socialistic ideology. They went to war over their nationalistic ideology. The same ideology that got Trump elected. That is a fact MAGA remember

You're a fucking moron. Turn off the fake news you're watching. It's melting your brain. You can like Trump or not, but the propaganda is just tired

You started trying to tie Nazism to Socialism. I just pointed out that it's just as easy to do to Trumpism. Name-calling and crying foul is pathetic. Don't start something if you're not willing to finish it.

Nazism is by definition a form of socialism. It's central economic planning. The NAZIs knew that, which is why they called themselves the socialist party. Again, companies were directed by the government and had to get all major decisions approved. They just are socialist.

And leftists are so stupid. You whine about "name calling" when I'm just talking about the definition of a word, and in the next sentence you do what you just whined about

And MAGA is an almost literal translation of the slogan Hitler and Goebels shouted at Nuremberg rallies.

Hitler was a vegetarian who loved animals. Apparently all you leftwing granola eaters are a bunch of Nazis.

The United States is the only country leftists believe our President cannot put the country he's president of first.

The response to a Belgian leader putting Belgium first is no shit

The response to a Canadian leader putting Canada first is no shit

The response to an Indian leader putting India first is no shit

The response to a Japanese leader putting Japan first is no shit

The response to an American leader putting America first is OMG, he's a racist!

 

[bripat9643]

The truth of the matter is that it is a very broad term. It’s something that’s always been apart of the framework of this country yet Repubs like to pretend it is the antithesis of the Founding Father’s philosophy. Republicans have a hard time even defining the term in their OWN WORDS. That alone tells you they lack a basic understanding of the word.

The term socialism has taken on a very broad meaning. The reason for that isn't only that republicans can't properly define it, but also dolts like yourself.

The reason for it is that every time socialism is tried, it turns into hell on earth, so the socialists have to makeup a new definition for their Utopia.

They simply don't understand. Neither do you.

I understand perfectly. I haven't been fooled.

 

[Tehon]

The best definition of conservatism is: Limbaugh evacuating Florida after calling hurricane a hoax.

The basic problem with them defining socialism is they are confusing it with state capitalism. A system where government controls the economy, acting like one big corporation, taking profit for itself.
By contrast, actual socialism is just democratic ownership of the means of production.

snowflakes have a million ways of explaining away the failures of socialism. Calling the failures "state capitalism" is one of those ways. Socialism is where government controls the economy, but you claim that state capitalism is where government controls the economy. How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

How does one distinguish between socialism and state capitalism?

The answer is just who decides what to do with the surplus. If its just a few leaders at the top, then its (state) capitalism, or if its democratic, then its socialism.

Simply defined, socialism is a system of production.

It is not defined by how commodities are distributed.

it's a system of both production and distribution. You can't produce anything if you haven't had anything distributed to you.

Yes, that would be the means of production.
In a capitalist system it is privately controlled.
In a socialist system it is communal.

We can expand on this idea and logically explain what state capitalism is.

The state is an organ of society that sets itself above society. It is responsive to the dominant class in society. When that organ that has set itself above society, the state, controls the means of production, it is not held communally. The community doesn't decide how to carry out production, it is the state that dictates how production will be carried out and how commodities will be distributed. In essence the means of production are privately owned by a dominant class, the state.