I'm not as smart as James, you should wait for him to give a proper definition, but I'll briefly tell you how I would formally and practically describe socialism
Socialism is a vague form of conceptualized Marxism. Marxism is built on the maxim that "from each according to his ability, to each according to their need", but, Marx never told us how to reach that desired balance. It simply doesn't work. I started studying Marx and Engels when I was a freshman in high school. I subscribed to Mother Jones when I was fifteen. I ate this concept up when I was young and idealistic and blind to the reality that kindness and cooperation are not instinctual.
Socialism , for the proper Libertarian definition is the tyranny of the many over the few. Individuals who want to do their own little bit of expressive living, such as homesteaders like you , have to learn to conform to the collective ideal. I'm tired of conformity.
I want to be able to drive to Missouri, stay in a proper hotel, buy a bunch of fishing supplies, and stay for three months without any record of my movements. That is no longer possible. I would like for my nieces and nephews to go through at least the first 25 years of their lives without being numbered , herded and separated according to their abilities before they even recognize what abilities they might have.
I want to be left alone, completely, by anyone or any entity, that I haven't expressly given permission, to intrude on my life. In return, I will leave everyone else alone. The government is not my friend, and they are not here to help me. They want a measure of my worth, so they can take a kilo of my flesh.
I'm not really a capitalist, I don't think. I believe in freedom and liberty for the individual, and then you do business with whom you trust. Today, there is so much governmental involvement, you no longer know who to trust or how to behave in business. We are not becoming a Socialist society. As of yesterday we became one. Watch for further restrictions on your liberties in the very near future.
Well, Gene. I've put my thought on paper. I don't write well, but, go ahead and take your shots......bobf
Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.