Defining Socialism

Big Hollywood covered the Upside of Socialism, a satirical piece describing socialistic policies in England. One problem Republicans and Democrats have is defining socialism.

I had the unpleasant fortune of meeting someone who accused almost everyone including top Republican candidates as being socialists.

Wikipedia (surprisingly) defines it correctly as:
"Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and an egalitarian society characterized by equal opportunities for all individuals and a fair or egalitarian distribution of wealth. Karl Marx posited that socialism would be achieved via class struggle and a proletarian revolution which represents the transitional stage between capitalism and communism."

Thus, I made a small requirement list of when you can use the term socialist to describe a certain economy.

Socialism

• A significant state ownership of private sector, distribution, or production.
• Fair distribution of wealth, forced class struggle.

However, before you rush to blame everyone as a socialist, here's an exception list:

• A small number of state owned or government secured enterprises (GSE) for the purposes of stabilizing the markets or protecting citizens from disaster (Fannie, Freddie, FDIC, agencies like EPA, FEMA).
• Progressive Tax System (raising or lowering taxes to help state budget, economy, or debt)
• Bailouts for markets in times of emergency.
• Welfare-like systems to help those who cannot help themselves (Social Security, Medicaid, Public School System, Welfare, Unemployment Insurance).

There are certain cases where developed nations provide services to its citizens through tax even if all tax payers do not use it because it is the only way for those people to survive.

For example, if you become disabled one day, even though you're a hard worker, you would want the government to help you out as well.

Another example, perhaps you contract a rare disease and medical bills rise sharply, the government should create the circumstances and opportunity for you to be successful again.

What Presidential Campaign Ideas ARE Socialism?

• Nationalized Health Care - This is the worst solution to our health care problems.
• Government checks sent out to non-taxpayers for the purpose of class struggle.
• Excessive taxation for the purpose of evening out the classes and promoting class struggle.
• Promoting the purchase of loans by the government.

What About Obama's Campaign Promises

President-Elect Obama during the 2008 elections made some serious promises that are acknowledged to be socialist ideas.

Of course, we shouldn't condemn Obama as a socialist even if he simply promoted such ideas; he may just be ignorant about what defines socialism.

He promoted class struggle, nationalized health care, and even sending checks to non-taxpayers. We'll have to see what ideas he implements. He's backed off the nationalized health care idea. Let's see what 2009 will show us.

When Talking about Socialism

When talking about Socialism, keep in mind not to accuse someone right off the bat. Remember to criticize ideas, not the person.

Remember that defining socialism is difficult, and many people have a variety of opinions and definitions about it.

However, make sure you do shoot down those terrible socialist ideas, because they only lead to disaster. The reason it keeps coming back is because they sound pleasant to the ignorant.