The United States of Socialist Republicans (U.S.S.R.)

[Onlooker]

The Republicans and the Soviet Socialists both

(1) Maintained their power by using fear.
(2) Believed in a socialist-style tax policy, where everyone pays the same rate, rather than letting the free market help determine the rates.
(3) Supported torture and secret prisons.
(4) Demanded total loyalty to the Party.
(5) Embraced angry leaders who would rather have the country fail than the opposition succeed.
(6) Supported noncompetitive bidding to award contracts to companies that are loyal to them.
(7) Believed the government should have a say over people's private lives.
(8) Spent enormous sums "helping" other nations, but refused to spend the sums needed to help their own citizens.
(9) Wanted to prop up oil and coal polluters, at the expensive of alternatives.
(10) Were fiscal disasters.

[baldguy]

1. Stalin is the spiritual father of modern American conservatism.

[defendandprotect]

4. What's the difference between communism and capitalism....?

There's an old Russian joke that goes something like this --

"Q: What's the difference between Communism and Capitalism?

A: Under Communism man exploits man.

Under Capitalism it's just the reverse.

[Historic NY]

2. I sent that to a Repuke, he should be frothing over at the afternoon break.

[Onlooker]

5. Perfect. That's actually why I wrote it ...

... to spite a rabid rightie. Glad you're using it the same way ;)

[defendandprotect]

3. A little confusing . . . "socialism" was co-opted by the Nazis for their evil purposes . . . .

The originally termed "socialist/socialism" was and is still highly respected

as being dedicated to the social needs of society and humanity.

The orginal socialist party in Germany was dedicated to labor rights, women's

rights -- including abortion. After co-option by Hitler, it was reversed.

[Onlooker]

6. Huh?

To the extent the world uses the word "socialist" or "socialism" today, it either refers to European Democratic Socialists or various other types of socialism, such as that practiced by China, Cuba, or Venezuela. Regardless, my comparison is completely clear: I'm comparing Soviet socialist practices to Republican practices.

I suppose if someone has lived in cave since the 1930s, they might think the word refers to national socialism, so I have no idea what you found confusing.

[defendandprotect]

7. What I am pointing to is the dual use -- which is confusing for many ---

Again -- we have more than one meaning for this term --

Nor do I agree that the "world" understands socialism as having one meaning.

And, I might also ask you, which "Soviet socialist practices" you're referring to?

Older, Stalin or Lenin type practices --- ? Reformed Kruschev type practices?

Putin type practices?

And, you're suggesting that Venezuela and Cuba are akin to China?

Maybe J. Edgar Hoover was "living in a cave since the 1930's" when he consistently

and explicitly referred to the USSR as "totalitarian communism."

That is, a form of fascism.