Definitions...

It seems that the term "socialism" is being bandied about more and more these days.

That's possibly due to the recent primary victory of a young woman with too many names from the Bronx, who has declared herself a "Democratic Socialist."  Wonderful.  I suppose she chose that club to join because Bernie Sanders is its President.  

BTW, this young lady just graduated from college with a degree in economics.  If you've been watching her TV interviews post-campaign victory, you'd agree she needs to sue her alma mater for malpractice.

And we're told that our Millennials, young folks from 18 - 35, are taking quite a shine to socialism as well.  I think they think that it means the Gummint provides everything you need, from cradle to grave, absolutely free, simply because you won the Birth Lottery and were born in 'Murica. 

Kind of like, that old saw, "There ain't no free lunch" no longer applies.

Oh yeah, and all those illegals might become proud Americans as well if the Dems take back the House in November.

But for purposes of accuracy, I'd like to provide some definitions for those whose education is economically-challenged.  Here goes:

Capitalism:  An economic theory by way of which the State has no ownership or control of Capital.  Beyond regulatory authority to insure public safety and welfare, the State has nothing to do with manufacturing, distribution, ownership or control.

Socialism:  The State controls all sources of manufacturing and distribution.  Ownership means nothing without control.

Communism:  The State owns all sources of manufacturing and distribution.

Marxism:  The State not only owns all those things, it owns YOU!

So how do they work in practical application?  Well, we know how well Capitalism works because it has enabled America to grow from nothing to the largest economy in the world in just over 200 years.  

Socialism has enabled Venezuela to go from the very richest country in South America 100 years ago to the very poorest country in the Western World.  Example:  If you have a full-time job there, and 64% do not, you can earn the equivalent of two cups of coffee a day for your labors.  And oh yeah, they've had to lock the zoo and patrol it with their military because the starving Venezuelans, who have each lost an average of 24 pounds last year, keep eating the animals.  And just yesterday their Central Bank just decided to "fix" their runaway, 1,000% inflation by "erasing five zeros from their currency."

So, if you have a 100,000 Bolivar note, which used to buy you a nice dinner out, you're now the grand owner of $One Dollar.  Still seem attractive?

More and more Democrats are calling for all-out socialism.  Once Trump was elected and they came to realize that their Chosen Leader, wouldn't, they launched an all-out effort to run him from office.  Everything they tried...failed.  And every time they failed they became ever more exasperated.  They kept doubling-down.  And while they were providing a glimpse of their carefully-concealed socialism streak during the course of their bleatings, the Legacy Media is doing their best to provide them with cover.  In short, there's an undercurrent of socialism running through old-line Progressive politics these days that should scare the Hell out of prospective voters.  NOTE:  It's been there since Woodrow Wilson, they've just hidden it pretty well.

My own personal opinion is that we lost a big chunk of what it means to be an American when we lost the draft.  It's been more than 70 years since our young have had to stand up and don the uniform of their Proud Country.  And with the loss of that sense of servitude, of pride, of ownership, we have also lost some of our patriotism.  Take a look at the sideline of your friendly NFL game this Sunday if you doubt me...

But it's not too late.  I think we're at a crossroads, America.  We have been trending downward by almost every measure for decades.  And there are those who are damned tired of it and trying to do something about it.  You and I will have a ringside seat while this battle of ideologies unfolds in front of us...