Okay Folks, It IS Socialism

The Hill produced a piece titled "Obama's European blueprint bad for US" (by Judd Gregg) yesterday, January 30, 2012. The comments to that are full of rants by people claiming what the current administration has been doing is not socialism. Here's one comment for example: "That's not socialism.  I suggest you consult a dictionary.  Socialism is public ownership of the means of production.  None of Obama's proposals are remotely socialism.  And taxation is not socialism."

Here's my reply to his comment: Maybe you should read a dictionary too. Mirriam-Webster says socialism is: "any of various social systems based on shared or government ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods ". Note the word "shared". Our government owns most of several companies now and their control over all businesses and entire industries(!) is growing rapidly via regulations and 'rules'. It's fair to call this 'socialism lite' so far but there is no doubt we're on an increasingly socialistic trajectory. The "government's share" of ownership and control are both increasing. Also check Wikipedia: "A primary goal of socialism is social equity and a distribution of wealth based on one's contribution to society, and an economic arrangement that would serve the interests of society as a whole." President Obama and other progressives say the same thing ... ALL the time.

Please pay attention people! Socialism is NOT defined as ONLY government OWNERSHIP of the production and delivery of goods and services. Yes, it can involve outright ownership but the truth, in case you're interested in truth, is that "socialism" ALSO INCLUDES government CONTROL over those things. The whole point of socialism is that it's the counterpoint to the 'evils of capitalism'. The control over capitalism that socialists desire can be accomplished by outright ownership of businesses OR by controlling what they can and cannot do. That's not only common sense, it happens to be true by any respected definition of socialism. And to those favoring capitalism there is no difference in effect ... either approach accomplishes what socialists desire and what capitalists oppose.

Of course(!) you're entitled to believe that what President Obama is doing is good for the country but you're living in denial of fact to claim it's not socialism AND an increasingly socialistic trajectory he's putting us on. Your belief in his objectives makes you a socialist by definition. Denying it doesn't make it untrue. Why not just embrace the terminology when it's what you want? What are you afraid of? It's like someone saying I only eat vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and, perhaps some milk and cheese but that doesn't make me a vegetarian. C'mon folks! Just be honest.