A question for my Yankee neighbours

Revoltingest said:

Of course, authoritarian governments can exist under capitalism.
But under full blown socialism, authoritarian governments are the only type to emerge.
Fans of socialism have still yet to show any such regime with better news coverage than provided in countries rife us capitalist running dogs.

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I think we have reached the point where the word socialism has been abused so much, that it has lost all meaning.

I never thought of myself as a "socialist" until the Fox News wing of the US started labeling any policy that deviates from ultra-conservative orthodoxy as "socialist". Such as: not cutting food stamps, extending unemployment benefits when needed, bringing the minimum wage back up to where it was decades ago (adjusted for inflation), raising taxes by 5%, having universal health insurance like every other prosperous [capitalist?] country, strong public schools, adequate infrastructure, government funding for scientific research, etc.

Let's not get bogged down by semantics. Supporting the things that some Americans today label as "socialist" does not lead to North Korean state TV. Last time I checked PBS, NPR, and the BBC are state supported and far superior to Fox "stay tuned to hear Glenn Beck tell you why it's time to invest in gold" News.

Mr Spinkles said:

I think we have reached the point where the word socialism has been abused so much, that it has lost all meaning.

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I agree it's a big problem.
That's why I regularly point out that I use the common dictionary definition.
Many disagree, but at least we then rise above misunderstanding, so we can get on with arguing.

I never thought of myself as a "socialist" until the Fox News wing of the US started labeling any policy that deviates from ultra-conservative orthodoxy as "socialist". Such as: not cutting food stamps, extending unemployment benefits when needed, bringing the minimum wage back up to where it was decades ago (adjusted for inflation), raising taxes by 5%, having universal health insurance like every other prosperous [capitalist?] country, strong public schools, adequate infrastructure, government funding for scientific research, etc.

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You listen to Fox News, eh.....strong your stomach must be.
"Socialism" is another word which has become weaponized.
Too bad that it's become merged with social welfare, which I find entirely different, & far more useful.

Let's not get bogged down by semantics. Supporting the things that some Americans today label as "socialist" does not lead to North Korean state TV. Last time I checked PBS, NPR, and the BBC are state supported and far superior to Fox "stay tuned to hear Glenn Beck tell you why it's time to invest in gold" News.

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I think we understand each other.