GOVERNMENT AND SOCIALISM AS AN EXAMPLE...

So, all government is an example of socialism?

You can't have your cake and eat it too

No, socialism isn't just more government — it's about democratic ownership and control.

One of the more ridiculous arguments out there is that all government activity is socialism. When the “snowpocalypse” hit Washington, D.C. and the rest of the East Coast, a number of socialist-friendly sites began putting out memes like this one:

Ah, yes, because the snow plows are operated by the government they are therefore socialist. Apparently, over at The Other 98%, 6,700 people though it’s true. A lot of folks will take the argument even further. Here’s another meme example, similar arguments often show up in comments of websites and various social media pages:

Right, so the argument is essentially that all public services provided by government are socialist.

First of all, let’s have one of the great socialists of the 20th century define socialism as Vladimir Lenin saw it:

“What is usually called socialism was termed by Marx the 'first', or lower, the phase of communist society. Insofar as the means of production become common property, the word 'communism' is also applicable here, providing we do not forget that this is not complete communism” (The State and Revolution)

Or

“For socialism is merely the next step forward from state-capitalist monopoly. Or, in other words, socialism is merely state-capitalist monopoly which is made to serve the interests of the whole people and has to that extent ceased to be a capitalist monopoly” (The Impending Catastrophe and How to Combat It)

It would appear that socialism is actually a bit more than just “socialist snowplows” or public schools or the post office; it is about controlling the “means of production”. Remember, the post office was created in the U.S. Constitution way back in 1789, when the founding document was ratified. We don't recall any of the Founding Fathers mentioning the term "socialism". In fact, it would be many decades before the term “socialism” entered the world stage. Setting that minor point aside, many a socialist will probably take issue with the use of Lenin, arguing that he does not accurately represent socialism. Fair enough.

Here's how the Socialist Party USA, which uses the term democratic-socialism, defines socialism:

“The Socialist Party strives to establish a radical democracy that places people's lives under their own control -- a non-racist, classless, feminist, socialist society in which people cooperate at work, at home, and in the community.

Socialism is not mere government ownership, a welfare state, or a repressive bureaucracy. Socialism is a new social and economic order in which workers and consumers control production and community residents control their neighborhoods, homes, and schools.  The production of society is used for the benefit of all humanity, not for the private profit of a few. Socialism produces a constantly renewed future by not plundering the resources of the earth.”

There it is again, controlling the “means of production” (i.e., businesses) through democracy. Snow plows may be run by the government, but that doesn’t make them socialist.

The argument that all government action is socialism really does either a disservice to those arguing for socialism or reveals the great dangers of government power: If you’re claiming that everything that government does is socialism, then you don’t get to cherry-pick the “good” while ignoring the bad.

If all government action in the United States is socialism, does that mean that when cops shoot an unarmed, black teenager it’s socialism? When public schools have a track record of under-serving minority students, is that socialism? When the government forcibly sterilizes people, as it did up until the 1970s, is that socialism? When government segregated the races, was that socialism? When government dropped atomic bombs on Japanese civilians, was that socialism? When government troops wiped out the Native Americans, was that socialism? When the government polluted the city of Flint’s public water, was that socialism?

According to the logic of the “socialist snowplows” argument, all of that is, indeed, socialism. I’m sorry, but you cannot have your cake and eat it too.

Now, do I believe all of that is actually “socialism”? No. The socialists are clear about their definition of socialism and it involves controlling businesses and property through democratic action. Just because there is government, doesn’t make it socialism. Nonetheless, trying to be cute in order to advance your cause will eventually catch up to you.

SOURCE:>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Here

Isn’t America Already Kind of Socialist?

Share your thoughts with the world by posting a message on the Liberty Tree.

Tell Us What Liberty Means To You 

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. -- Plato (429-347 BC)

TRY THE LIBERTY TREE AD FREE

THE LIBERTY TREE FRIENDS & PATRIOTS

 "FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY"

and is protected speech pursuant to the "unalienable rights" of all men, and the First (and Second) Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, In God we trust

Stand Up To Government Corruption and Hypocrisy

                                                                                                    

NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICES

BY OUR VETERANS 

Note: We at The Liberty Tree cannot make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information.

Don't forget to follow the Friends Of Liberty on Facebook and our Page also Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, Me We and Google Plus PLEASE help spread the word by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

LibertygroupFreedom    

The Patriot is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with the mission to Educate, protect and defend individual freedoms and individual rights.

Support the Trump Presidency and help us fight Liberal Media Bias. Please LIKE and SHARE this story on Facebook or Twitter.

WE THE PEOPLE

TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! 

Join The Resistance and Share This Article Now!

TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Help us spread the word about THE LIBERTY TREE Blog we're reaching millions help us reach millions more.

‼️️ ♻️ PLEASE SHARE ♻️ ‼️️

Please SHARE this now! The Crooked Liberal Media will hide and distort the TRUTH. It’s up to us, Trump social media warriors, to get the truth out. If we don’t, no one will!

Share this story on Facebook and let us know because we want to hear YOUR voice!

Facebook has greatly reduced the distribution of our stories in our readers' news feeds and is instead promoting mainstream media sources. When you share with your friends, however, you greatly help distribute our content. Please take a moment and consider sharing this article with your friends and family. Thank you

❦❧❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦❧❦

For you see, the world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes.

  Coningsby: Or The New Generation And, The governments of the present day have to deal not merely with other governments, with emperors, kings, and ministers, but also with the secret societies which have everywhere their unscrupulous agents, and can at the last moment upset all the governments’ plans. — Benjamin Disraeli, Speech at Aylesbury, Great Britain, September 10, 1870

◈ ◈ ◈ ◈ ◈ ◈ ◈ ◈