Reply #39: roebear [View All]

[Cheswick2.0]

It is very hard to find the dividing line. I am a democrat not a socialist. However there is this long continuum which blurs one into the other. Social programs in and of themselves are socialist in nature, however I believe in well regulated capitalism. I also believe the labor movement can be seen as capitalist in nature if you see it as getting something in return for giving something. In other words, you want a full days works then you pay decently to receive it from your workers.
But I don't think you can say that socialists and communists were useful in the beginning without paying respect to their contribution to your life.
You are buying into the right wing talking points that say democrats are liberals are socialist are communists. Just ask a republican if they cash their social security check, frequent public museums, pools, libraries, drive on public roads etc... these are all socialist in nature. Smack then with the hypocrite hammer because they can not deny taking advantage of all of these things that came about because we collectively support them as a society/community.