I need some help defining my political beliefs. I've been called a socialist, but I'm not sure that's right.

Question

OK. I've been called a socialist by many people, but I'm not sure that accurately describes my beliefs. I'll get into my beliefs and see if anyone can help me out here.

-I believe public necessities should by state(i.e. public) owned. (I'm American (Texan) so I believe individual states should own these and not the federal government.)

-I believe in free health care

- I believe the more $ you make, the more you're taxed

-I believe in free education

-I'm not totally anti-war/military, but I believe only in defense or necessary wars against aggressors (genocidal dictators, etc.) and am somewhat opposed to a standing army.

-I'm pro gun ownership

-I believe most drugs should be legal (not meth or herion because of the human cost)

-I believe in a living wage

-I'm anti-death penalty

-I believe in rehabilitation over imprisonment

-I believe no one should be exploited

these are just a few of my beliefs. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

You believe in redistributing wealth and nationalized companies - sounds pretty socialistic to me.

But, of course, it depends on to what extend you believe this should be done.

Answer 2

It sounds like you're considered a variety of issues intelligently, and come to rational decisions about each one of them. That's the important thing - labels like "socialist" just frighten and annoy people, but rational arguments usually stand up on their own. Keep thinking for yourself! I have to admit, though, that your support of states' rights seems a little inconsistent with your other opinions, and explaining that you're a Texan isn't a good enough reason for adopting that position. I'd go back and give that one a second look.

Answer 3

Compare if you will what you believe in to the 10 planks of the Communist Manifesto.

Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.

A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.

Abolition of all right of inheritance.

Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.

Centralization of credit in the hands of the State, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly.

Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State.

Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the State; the bringing into cultivation of waste-lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.

Equal liability of all to labour. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.

Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equable distribution of the population over the country.

Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labour in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production, &c., &c.[4]

According to the Communist Manifesto, all these were prior conditions for a transition from capitalism to communism (but Marx and Engels later expressed a desire to modernize this passage[5]).

Socialism equals more government, more taxes and less individual responsibility.

Conservatism equals less government, less taxes and more individual responsibility.

So you want to give half of the money you've earned to the government to support the crackhead down the street, let the man who raped your 5 year old son go free after 5 years so he can do it again. Have McDonald's be required to pay their employees $15.00 an hour for flipping burgers so you can pay $10 for a hamburger. I hope you change your mind.

Answer 4

Republicans use the Commie/socialist cry as another fearmongering tactic. Doubt many of them on here actually know what they're "accusing" people of.

Both pure free market and communism systems are failures. Capitalist systems leave some people out-it's not fair but it's efficient. Communism failed because of the opposite situation- fair, but not efficient. I think a blend is best, like Europe essentially has. I guess you could call it socialist, though I thought socialism was the transition to communism, so maybe it's not set up to be permanent? Don't know about that one, but I tend to be somewhere close ot capitalism, but with definite socialist tendencies - human rights, taking care of those left out of the system, free health care, education, etc.

Answer 5

I'd call you a liberal