Some Definitions, Please
Okay, as stated in a comment to another post, I have been called a "commie". Now, since it came from a conservative, I'm assuming that this means that he believes I am a communist. Let's look at the definition of communism according to Merriam-Webster Online:
Now let's break it down. Do I advocate "the elimation of private property"? Are you kidding? I'm doing my damndest to save up money to buy my house! Do I think all goods should be "owned in common" and "available to all as needed"? Not all goods. I believe there are some basic needs that should be met for all, such as adequate housing, medical care, food and education. Am I a "revolutionary Marxian"? I have read Marx. I have studied his ideas. It is a requirement when you study sociology and criminology, two of my favourite subjects. I agree with some of what he says. Those who call people like me Marxists have never read Marx. Communism, such as the Communism of the USSR is not Marxist.
By this definition, am I a communist? Nope. I'm a socialist, and I'm a reader of Marx but, by definition, I am not a communist or a "commie".
Let's have a look at the definition of fascism according to Merriam-Webster Online:
Hmmmmmm. "... that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader".
I better keep my mouth shut.
Main Entry: com·mu·nism
Pronunciation: 'käm-y&-"ni-z&m
Function: noun
Etymology: French communisme, from commun common
1 a : a theory advocating elimination of private property b : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2 capitalized a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R. b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably d : communist systems collectively
Now let's break it down. Do I advocate "the elimation of private property"? Are you kidding? I'm doing my damndest to save up money to buy my house! Do I think all goods should be "owned in common" and "available to all as needed"? Not all goods. I believe there are some basic needs that should be met for all, such as adequate housing, medical care, food and education. Am I a "revolutionary Marxian"? I have read Marx. I have studied his ideas. It is a requirement when you study sociology and criminology, two of my favourite subjects. I agree with some of what he says. Those who call people like me Marxists have never read Marx. Communism, such as the Communism of the USSR is not Marxist.
By this definition, am I a communist? Nope. I'm a socialist, and I'm a reader of Marx but, by definition, I am not a communist or a "commie".
Let's have a look at the definition of fascism according to Merriam-Webster Online:
Main Entry: fas·cism
Pronunciation: 'fa-"shi-z&m also 'fa-"si-
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, fasces, group, from Latin fascis bundle & fasces fasces
1 often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2 : a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control early instances of army fascism and brutality -- J. W. Aldridge>
- fas·cist /-shist also -sist/ noun or adjective, often capitalized- fas·cis·tic /fa-'shis-tik also -'sis-/ adjective, often capitalized- fas·cis·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb, often capitalized
Hmmmmmm. "... that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader".
I better keep my mouth shut.
posted by Melinda at 1/25/2005 04:13:00 pm
2 Comments:
Oh, my. You go right ahead and keep your mouth shut, Mel. I'll open mine instead.
Anyone remember when the American Government bailed out Chrysler? Hmm? (This was long before Daimler Mercedes came in to prop them up.) Anyone remember under whose watch and approval this occurred? Hmm? Republican. Here's a small clue: the government bailing out a failing company is fascist, not capitalist, in spite of what ANY American may believe to the contrary. Modern American Republicans have as much, if not more, in common with Fascists as modern American Democrats have in common with Socialists.
Modern American Republicans are Libertarian wannabes, but they don't want to give up their own government programmes. C'mon, fellas. Get with the programme. Pun bloody well intended. Stop pretending you don't want them, when in fact you really do! There's a word for that sort of thing.
I knew you'd pick up where I left off! LMAO
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