Socialism!

[WillyGilligan]

I have noticed a sharp increase in the use of this word over the last few years. Almsost everything that Obama is doing gets called socialist, or almost any Democrat proposal, really. The word is now occupying the same head space as agnostic, where it's a word you use when you lack the proof, or at least the balls, to use the harder word like Communist or Atheist. Overuse is turning a perfectly serviceable word into a mere buzzword used by politicians to guide their base into an angry frenzy at their opponents.

So what's Socialist to you? Is it only when the government takes control of the means of production, like when Chavez took over the oil production in Venezuela? Is any increase in the tax rate Socialist, or just the fact of a progressive tax system? Do you consider any government regulation on a business a form of Socialism, or does the interference have to be monetary to fit the bill?

[Salvation122]

It's certainly overplayed. The number of times people have told me "ZOMG Obama's going to turn this into a socialist nation!" and I've had to bite my tongue to keep from replying "Motherfucker do you have any idea what farm subsidies are?!" is staggering.

[3278]

I have noticed a sharp increase in the use of this word over the last few years.

Yeah, the neocons managed to properly tarnish that one. They're big on capitalizing one ignorance to produce irrational fear of words.

So what's Socialist to you?

As a proper noun, I'm willing to go with, "Socialism refers to any one of various theories of economic organization advocating public or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and a society characterized by equal opportunities/means for all individuals with a more egalitarian method of compensation."

But socialist, as a not-proper adjective, doesn't necessarily have to mean "of or pertaining to Socialism": I often use it to mean, "more toward Socialism than X," where X is something that's not very Socialist. For instance, the US government won't be Socialism if we get government-funded healthcare, but it would be socialist to put such a plan into action. So I guess what I'm saying is watch my caps.

[Cash]

It's certainly overplayed. The number of times people have told me "ZOMG Obama's going to turn this into a socialist nation!" and I've had to bite my tongue to keep from replying "Motherfucker do you have any idea what farm subsidies are?!" is staggering.

I see you've met my neighbor. I'll have to remember the farm subsidies reply.