What is supposed to be so bad about socialism (* NOTE:I don't mean communism)?

I agree with you that socialism and communism are no more similar than democratic capitalism and fascism.

The problem is the same as when an adult asks children to share. They howl!

'Pure' capitalism often forgets where their wealth came from. Workers. They would have nothing if it were not for hard workers, often earning minimum wages.

I would not consider Canada to be exactly a socialist country. We boast about a 'mixed' economy. I think the mix leans a little more to the capitalist side.

Not all policies implemented to furthur socialism are good. Sometimes there is too much expensive burocracy. Sometimes there is corruption - just like in capitalism (Enron?).

I tend to be socialist because I live in a capitalist economy. I guess what I'm really looking for is a happy medium.

Our countries are wealthy enough to take care of our poor. Why don't we do it?

Anyone hiring a full-time labourer should give a salary sufficient so that the labourer's family can live decently. A second salary in the family should be an unnecessary luxury. Unfortunately, it has become a necessity just to put food on the plate. - In Canada. Which means Canada is not exactly socialist.

On the other hand no system, capitalism, socialism, democracy, etc. can be better than the people involved. So that means we will not live in an ideal society!

Now, tell me if I'm getting this mixed up with communism but, if everyone had the same amount of money, despite different work hours and varying work ethic, that's about as bad as the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. It sounds like a good idea, but in name only. Too many people have abused power in the name of communism for anyone to accept it. And communism is almost siametically (making up a word here) connected to socialism. In fact, when people say socialism, even with the best intention, communism is the first thing that comes to mind.

It's the idea of guilt by association.

How in the world can government by committee possibly be made to work? That, to me is a huge strike against socialism. Strike number two is that human nature and especially current human nature would never allow for the demands of a society where all are supposedly equally the same. What we have now isn't great, but at least it can be modified and improved within the societal norms most people now accept. I wish pure socialism could be made to work, but in these times it would be a near impossibility to do so.

socialism isn't a bad thing. i'm a socialist (although not a registered one, as you can't register as one in new york state.)

people should check out how smoothly the socialist governments in europe work. one of the best-run countries in the world are those in scandinavia (norway, sweden, finland) and they are all socialist run.

everyone here seems to be confusing socialism with communism. in socialist countries, you make however much money you earn. if you work hard, you'll make money. the governemnt doesn't "take care of you".

the great thing about socialism is that no matter what you place in society, you have full healthcare. sure, taxes cost an arm and a leg,.. but for free health care? worth it. socialism is all about the rights of the citizens. not bringing religious views into what people do, confusing what is right or wrong by what the bible says.

i wish some of the people answering your question knew the difference. they'd be suprised (they'd probably also be suprised to know that, while canada is technically a monachy, since it is run by the queen, it's pretty much a socialist state.)

I find nothing wrong with someone having socialist train of thought, however the only flaw in socialism is.. the money does have to come from somewhere. We need a combo of a socialist and a capitalist country, if we could find a happy medium the world would be a better place :)

Socialism is a lovely ideal which doesn't work. Human nature being what human nature is requires that people enjoy the fruit of their own labor.

Human nature is also very competitive. People want to believe that if they do the best at something, they will be rewarded for it.

Life necessarily requires winners and losers.

Capitalism enables the free market forces of supply and demand to set prices and inventory. Socialism denies private property rights and distributes resources (in theory) equally amoung the population. The problem with Socialism is that the government will always glean more of the benefits for themselves and suppress the masses. If you enjoy having your own property, like your house and your car, socialism is not for you.

Socialism is a monopoly. Just like I don't want only 1 grocery store to shop at, I don't want 1 government entity controlling my life. I can't think of anybody that would want only 1 store to buy food at. That 1 store would be able to control your life, because they control your food. You want competition to keep prices low, and if one store screws you, you can go to a different store. So why would you want 1 government agency controlling your life? Politicians are corrupt by their very nature. When there is no choice, what do you do when they screw you. Notice I said "When", not "If", because they will screw you. It is inevitable. So without a choice, what do you do when they screw you?

Socialism is oppression and slavery. Capitalism is freedom. Live free or die.

In America the rich have all the power because you never really needed your working class to get you through the life and death struggle of all out war. The working class in Europe gained the power they have and Socialism through winning the first and second world wars. America largely profited from both w. relatively little sacrifice in terms of lives lost.

Seems as though you have a meager understanding of the media..They rather promote the ones on the far left.. but we got to see how effective that practice works for the little people.. just look at what was seen in New Orleans.. should have been a garden of Eden after so many years of democratic control..yet what we got to see was abject poverty.