Do Conservatives on here actually understand the following words: "Communism", "Socialism", "Fascism"?

Thanks for pointing that out. Individuals on here are always making blank statements about Obama and Socialism and they have no idea what it means. And they can't back their statement up with facts.

Socialism is where the country's government controls all production and goods distribution. It's an economic system. There can be freedom of action in Socialism, but economically you are a slave to the government since they control the distribution of wealth within the country.

Communism is where the country's government owns everything and therefore has total control over everything. Typically the economic system in a Communist country will follow Socialist principles. In Communism the government can effectively directly control every aspect of your life. What businesses can be opened, what they can sell, how much you can make, what media can present, what schools can teach, what Internet access people can have, etc.

Fascism is where the government essentially manufactures excuses for implementing policies to control and restrict the population. Fascism provides the illusion of freedom. You may have freedom on paper but in reality all of the indirect rules and restrictions prevent you from exercising that freedom. Example: Restricting vehicle choice by way of excessive selective taxing or regulations on automakers in the name of protecting the environment would be a fascist policy.

Yes. Socialist applies to one who espouses socialist rhetoric and enacts socialist polices. Examples include (but aren't limited to): Nationalizing private companies and banks, spreading the wealth around, capping private employee compensation, controlling the means of production.

Fascism includes things like: authoritarianism, a single party state (like we have), forbidding criticize (see the homeland security memo on "right wing extremists" and http://www.lifenews.com/state3871.html), rejection of individualism.

So when a word is used correctly, you just say that it's not just because you don't like the connotations. Maybe you should get out your dictionary.

You don't know the terms either I'm assuming because there is no one single silver bullet definition for any of the three.

Is Obama a European style socialist? Of course; no one can argue that he's not. What is a socialist? There are so many definitions that a single classical answer doesn't exist. However, Obama's own economic policies mirror that of Europeans and that's where he's getting his advice.

As a conservative with an undergrad degree and masters in political science who wrote his masters thesis on the rise of Fascism in the 20th century, yes I understand them perfectly.

How about you?

When are you people going to learn that a large central government with control over private companies as well as national social programs that include everybody like Obama's proposed health-care plan is exactly the basis of the three political doctrines that you list?

When will Obama supporters take off the blinders and see his policies for what they really are?

Well, I think I understand the differences.

<Communist - Socialist - Radical Liberal - Liberal - Moderate - >

I'm a Libertarian, and thus opposed to many of Obama's policies. I feel that he is heading towards big government, and division of wealth, but that is because of liberal's tendencies to lean towards these principles.

I feel that government should be around only to protect rights of people, and private parties should be responsible for their own lives. Life isn't fair, and interference becomes marginally less useful as we increase government size.

However, I think that most conservatives are overreacting. I don't think that this is going to be the end of the U.S. as we know it.

But I have a question for you. Why do you say, "I don't care what you think?" Are you so stubborn you refuse to see any other point of view? I thought Democrats and Liberals were the most open-minded. I eagerly await a response.

I DO UNDERSTAND; Communism, Socialism and Fascism! My Core Family is from Russia! I have heard the Horror Stories from them in My Entire Life!

Peace to All and God Bless! Jane.

Alright first of all you must be a person that is 1) not from America, 2) a person that believes in the Islamic faith, or 3) 18-25 because that is the ages of the most ignorant generation in America. Although his policies are also very socialist and they are, alone, tearing apart America and the policies that have made this country strong and have preserved the statues of the country on the global world stage.

It's time for you to grow up. Listen carlfully

1. FACISM Mousolini. Dictator

2. Communism Classless society government control

3. Socialism State/Govenmenjt ownership of private companies

NOW TELL ME OBAMA AND HIS CRONIES ARE NONE OF THE ABOVE? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEE UP FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, THE WATER IS STARTING TO BOIL YOU FROG.

i am a conservative, and a registered republican and i have a pretty good handle on each of those words...

and its true, he is neither a commie or a facist...but he does have socialist tendencies. we have had socialist nuances in our country for a good long time. social security, medicare/medicaid, unemployement pay, and food stamps are all socialist programs. so are national parks and public schools, even the military. any time the government takes it upon itself to provide a service that could be provided by the public sector, it is a socialist program. socialism isn't all bad, as long as the service is decent and doesnt completely corner the market.

As the asker the burden of definition is actually on you but here you go and no, youre right Obama is not a communist.

However, If you read the socialist and fascist definition and ponder the programs he wants to implement and the type of people he chose for his cabinet as well as his voters he bears a resemblance to socialism and fascism.