Why are conservatives so confused about the meaning of socialism?

Question

They're constantly talking about how Obama is a socialist, but it makes so sense at all. He is a capitalist, like every other American politician.

Socialists believe private property should be abolished. They believe that the government should own the means of production, and distribute goods.

Obama, and most other democrats are not socialists, so why do they say this?

Answer 1

Because the Haters espouse anything the Right Wing mouthpieces feed them.  If Limbaugh says it, no matter how ridiculous, it MUST be true, right?

I think it's funny that so many continuously make such a lame charge, without credible support.  It's almost a chant for some of them YET the Obama supporters are supposed to be the cult-like ones.  

Democrats 2008

Answer 2

http://youtube.com/watch?v=niJAkR_6tKQ

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raymond-j-...

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008...

There are three links. Democrats ARE calling for the seizure of private property.

thumbs down all you want, comrades. Doesn't change the facts.

Marcia B. is probably one of the ones that "thumbs downed" me. Then said I offer no credible support. The 3 links I provided are Democrats calling for nationalizing an industry. Out of the mouths of democrats themselves.

Answer 3

They are grasping for straws..... ask them what "issues based" argument they can make...... they say taxes... well obama is cutting middle class taxes.........ah um oil drilling.....well the EPA all but guarantee's that won't decrease oil prices.....  ah um.... "He's A SOCIALIST MUSLIM WHO HATES WHITE PEOPLE AND HIS WIFE SUCKS....." The ignorance is astounding

Answer 4

I am more confused why you Americans see socialism as a dirty word. Windfall taxes on companies raking in billions sound fair enough to most sensible people.

Answer 5

I think you should review and learn exactly what Obama is all about.  Socialism in any shape and form will lead to communism in this Country.  By redistributing the wealth, he will TAKE AWAY THE AMERICAN DREAM.  THAT is NOT what this country is about.

Answer 6

Read your own question to find out.  Redistribution of assets?  = Tax, tax, tax and give the money to others who didn't work for it. (increasing welfare)

Answer 7

It is called politics.  Socialism is a dirty word to be avoided at all costs and suggestion of socialism are meant to scare the naive.

Answer 8

because they don't know any other way to attack Obama.

they just attack him blindly with whatever cross on their mind without any real logic to back up their theories

Answer 9

Primarily because of his own words, ideas and voting record. And, as the current standard-bearer for his own party, he must be held accountable for his party's statements as well. As such, what would you call it when several members of his party openly state that the federal government should take over an entire industry?

Answer 10

Socialists have contested the term "socialism" for the past 160 years. Because we use different definitions, other people, including conservatives, use different definitions too.

I am a libertarian socialist. An anarchist. I don't want a state existing, let alone owning anything, let alone owning the means of production.

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"Socialism is the belief that the next important step in progress is a change in man’s environment of an economic character that shall include the abolition of every privilege whereby the holder of wealth acquires an anti-social power to compel tribute." - Ben Tucker

http://fair-use.org/benjamin-tucker/inst...

For many supporters of socialism, "socialism" means that the workers control the means of production, while "capitalism" means another class controls the means of production.

Historically, supporters of socialism have varied from opponents of the state (like Proudhon or Bakunin) to supporters of it (like Engels), as well as from supporters of completely free markets (like Proudhon or Tucker) to supporters of planned economies (like Marx) to supporters of free access to common means of production (like Kropotkin).

http://porkupineblog.blogspot.com/2006/0...

Now things get complicated because some people (e.g. Marxists and Misesians, taking opposite sides) have identified centrally planned economies with "socialism" and free-market economies with "capitalism." Anarchism and similar ideas would be a third category, "syndicalism," in the Misesian classification.

Answer 11

Socialism is the gate way drug to Communism, JUST SAY NO! People should not rely on the government for handouts and the government should not penalize you just because you are more motivated to better yourself by making more money

Answer 12

Because they are.

Like they say if the shoe fits wear it. And it fits the dems perfectly.

Answer 13

Yes, socialism is about government controled everything with no private ownership.  So why are people calling Obama a Socialist?  Here's why:

*  Obama wants to RAISE taxes and spend more than Bush!  

*  Obama wants the government to manage your healthcare.

*  Obama wants the government to manage your retirement.

*  Obama wants the government to manage oil companies

*  Obama wants to raise taxes on your investments.

*  Obama wants to weaken our military.

*  Obama wants to GIVE AWAY more American tax dollars to other countries that he thinks deserves it more.

*  Obama wants to create committees and review boards to make decisions.  

Is that what you want?  A guy that thinks you're not paying enough of your fair share so that he can spend more than any other administration in history?   What ever happened to FREEDOM?  Or are you willing to trade that in too?

Answer 14

Socialists believe in wealth redistribution.  When Obama said the he was taxing out of fairness as opposed to raising revenues, that is classic socialism.  YOU are the one that is confused.  Did you not hear Maxine Waters say she want to socialize......uh...er....have the Feds take control of the oil companies?  She USED THE WORD AND TRIED TO TAKE IT BACK!  She is in line with this and other Obama policies.

Obama cant run on "abolishing all private property" and he couldnt come in and do it immediately, but his words are CLEAR as to the direction he would like to take this country.  And so is his voting record.