Socialism

You expect a rational discussion on this issue with a large group of folks "educated" in the us of a, Rex?

so·cial·ism [soh-shuh-liz-uh m]
 —noun

a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
procedure or practice in accordance with this theory.
(in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.

socialism
noun
socialist government
Synonyms: Bolshevism, Fabianism, Leninism, Maoism, Marxism, collective ownership, collectivism, communism, state ownerhsip communism

noun
socialist government
Synonyms: Bolshevism, Leninism, Marxism, collectivism, rule of the proletariat, socialism, state ownership, totalitarianism 
Antonyms: capitalism, democracy 

I'm following you out of sarcasm JTT.

I personally believe that both socialism and capitalism are each, respectively, public prisons and only in the the marriage of the two can liberty come to exist. RR

Excellent point, Rex.

Have any socialist/commie countries ever succeeded?
Even the mighty Soviet Union came crashing down

You live in a socialist country, Romeo. There are many many more around the world and yes, they are highly successful. They do, like all countries and people, have their ups and downs.

As a gay music child (born in the USA) I was terrified of socialism and Russia.

I could not comprehend a government telling me what I needed to be.

I knew what I already was at 4 years old.

So I just immersed myself in music like it was my own.

I did it freely and without coercion. Even in a free society I had musical barriers.

I wondered if my life would have been tragic had I been withheld from my destiny by some ordinal decree that said I had to live up to some social dictate for my life.

Today I can live and breathe pure music due to a free society.

This still does not negate the positive aspects of socialism.

Rex: As a gay music child (born in the USA) I was terrified of socialism and Russia.
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That was the propaganda that has, ironically, prevented Americans from having any kind of a rational discussion about these things, Rex.

As the Russian newsman who lived in the USA for five years said: "the only difference between Russian propaganda and American propaganda is that you believe yours".

Rex: I could not comprehend a government telling me what I needed to be.

I knew what I already was at 4 years old.

So I just immersed myself in music like it was my own.

I did it freely and without coercion. Even in a free society I had musical barriers.

I wondered if my life would have been tragic had I been withheld from my destiny by some ordinal decree that said I had to live up to some social dictate for my life.
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More of the same propaganda, Rex. You've heard of abba - well they are from a socialist country. The BeeGees, Neil young, super tramp, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, 10CC, ...

Within the USA, there are some 2 million USians that live in a communist state.

I found a piece of paper on the sidewalk. RR

I can't believe I posted to this thread in the first place.

Nice to see you back, A99.

I give up.

What happens when strangers pass a shivering boy without a coat?
http://kdvr.com/2014/02/20/what-happens-when-strangers-pass-a-shivering-boy-without-a-coat/

If I saw a shivering kid the first thing I'd do would be to call the cops.
In fact that's exactly what I did one winters night gone midnight when I noticed a huddled shape in the shadows as I was putiing the cats out.
I went over and saw it was a boy aged about 8, he told me his dad had kicked him out so I called the cops and they sorted it out quick..

I sung every verse of this many times out live, one year after i was born.

always loved Dylan

Yes; so also the National Socialism of the 3rd Reich.
It was a good riddance of both of those abominations.