Many Democrats appear attracted to socialism not as a tool to end racism, sexism, poverty, and, in general, every grievance, real or imagined, that can be exploited for political power but to gain some form of social credit and acceptance. These people act upon their feelings and refuse to take the time, money, and effort to research the toxic history of socialism or the scary reality of today’s politics.

Looking closer, the majority of Democrats attracted to socialism are intellectually lazy, disaffected, unhappy with their present lives or lack of achievement, socially awkward, or bored and looking for entertaining engagement. A few seek to acknowledge a cause greater than themselves in which immersion distracts from the stresses of modern life. Why college-educated middle-class white women should be attracted to socialism makes the point.

The historical horrors of socialism that would typically alienate decent people are ignored.

Many who believe that socialism must prevail over fascism can hardly explain the difference between the ideologies while objectifying a single individual, Donald Trump, as a fascist.

 A little background… 

Socialism and fascism are two distinct political ideologies with very different advertised goals and characteristics. Both are about gaining and maintaining perpetual political power on behalf of a group of “elites” and their supporting oligarchs.

Socialism is an economic and political system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the "people" as a whole, typically through the government. The advertised goal of socialism is to create a more equal and just society by reducing inequality, promoting collective ownership and control, and providing universal access to basic goods and services like healthcare, education, and housing. Socialism is often associated with values falsely advertised as democracy, human rights, and social justice.

Fascism, on the other hand, is a political ideology that seeks to establish an authoritarian state in which the state and its leader manipulate individual freedoms. Fascism is characterized by close cooperation between the state and private organizations, which remain unmolested as long as they adhere to state rules and regulations and parrot the regime’s narrative.

Both have elements of authoritarianism, nationalism, and militarism and seek to suppress dissent and opposition, often through violence. The absolute truth is that both are about a group of “elites” gaining and maintaining power over the nation and its population.

Both are diametrically opposed to the American form of democracy, which features inalienable God-given rights, freedom, individualism over the collective, and an entrepreneurial merit-based economic system that has provided an exceptional standard of living, even for those deemed to be relatively poor.

That socialism is about democracy, human rights, and social justice is a lie told by those seeking power.

Call it what it is: communism, the end point of socialism.

While socialism appears to be an unusually diverse ideological movement, it is all about communism – no matter its label. Marxists, classic socialists, democratic socialists, social democrats, progressives, and post-modernists-- all are attempts to disguise its true nature and avoid automatic association with the communism that has killed hundreds of millions and brought misery to even more individuals.

Here is how they attempt to distinguish themselves to sell their brand of toxic bullshit.

Socialism: Socialism is an economic and political system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole, typically through the government.

Some of the labels commonly used to describe socialism include:

• Democratic socialism: A form of socialism that emphasizes the importance of democratic institutions and political rights while also advocating for an equal distribution of wealth and resources.

• Market socialism: A form of socialism that combines elements of both socialism and capitalism, allowing for a market economy but with the means of production owned by the people.

• Revolutionary socialism: A form of socialism that seeks to overthrow the existing social and economic system through revolution, often advocating for violent means if necessary.

• Utopian socialism: A form of socialism that seeks to create a perfect society, often through the establishment of communes or other cooperative living arrangements.

Communism: Communism is a political and economic system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the people, typically through an authoritarian government that requires power to overcome the flaws of human nature.

Some of the labels commonly used to describe communism include:

• Marxist-Leninist communism: A form of communism based on the ideas of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, which advocates for a vanguard party to lead the revolution and establish a socialist state.

• Maoism: A form of communism based on the ideas of Mao Zedong, which emphasizes the importance of mass mobilization and revolutionary struggle.

• Trotskyism: A form of communism based on the ideas of Leon Trotsky, which emphasizes the importance of international revolution and the establishment of a global socialist state.

• Anarcho-communism: A form of communism that emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and the abolition of the state, typically advocating for a decentralized, self-governing society.

• Social democracy: A political ideology that advocates for a mixed economy with both public and private ownership of the means of production, as well as a strong welfare state to provide for the needs of citizens. Social democracy is often seen as a moderate or reformist form of socialism.

• State capitalism: A system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state but operate according to market principles. State capitalism is often seen as a form of socialism or communism that has abandoned the goal of achieving true equality and instead focuses on maximizing economic growth.

• Leninism: A political ideology based on the ideas of Vladimir Lenin, which emphasizes the importance of a vanguard party to lead the revolution and establish a socialist state. Leninism also stresses the importance of imperialism and the need for workers in developed countries to support workers' struggles in less developed countries.

• Stalinism: A political ideology based on the ideas of Joseph Stalin, which emphasizes the importance of a strong centralized state and the use of force to suppress opposition. Stalinism is often associated with authoritarianism and human rights abuses.

• Syndicalism: A form of socialism that emphasizes the importance of labor unions to achieve social and economic change. Syndicalists believe that workers should control the means of production through direct action, such as strikes and boycotts.

• Libertarian socialism: A form of socialism that emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and the abolition of hierarchy and domination, including the state. Libertarian socialists advocate for a decentralized, self-governing society based on cooperation and mutual aid.

• Christian socialism: A form of socialism that draws on Christian teachings to promote social and economic equality. Christian socialists believe that the principles of Christianity are incompatible with the capitalist system and that the church has a role to play in promoting social justice.

• Green socialism: A form of socialism that emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability and the need to transition to a low-carbon economy. Green socialists believe ecological crises can only be solved by radically transforming society and the economy.

It's important to note that the meanings of these labels can vary depending on the context in which they are used, and there is often debate among academics and activists about the precise definitions of these terms.

Bottom line…

Beyond camouflaging the truth, it’s all about taking what is yours, including your labor, intellectual property, real property, or other assets, and redistributing it to someone else to gain or maintain political power.

The simple test: the end goal of socialism is communism, whereas the end goal of American-style democracy is more democracy and entrepreneurial advancement.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve

P.S. There is no such thing as a “respectable” Marxist/Socialist.