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Comment by locallost | Hacker News Reader

Socialism means society owns the means of production with the goal of having more equality. Obviously not the case in America.

Why is Medicare proof of the US being a socialist country and not the existence of e.g. the US Army? The former is a formal agreement of the majority to spend money on citizens' health, the latter a formal agreement to spend money on citizens' protection from invasion by a foreign country. Obviously everyone agrees an army is needed, so why not health care?

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It looks like you're an American who has no idea what socialism even is and you had to look up on the internet. Let me break it down for you in a simple manner: Socialism = lots of social welfare

Therefore, the continual dramatic expansion of Social Welfare (especially for the old) means america has become a shitty social state.

Actually I was born and lived the first years of my life in a communist country. America I have visited once for about a week.

Why is spending money on people's health social welfare, and spending money on their safety not social welfare, whether it's financing the army, police, fire department? Should it not be the responsibility of each individual to protect their life, family, home etc. from danger? Why should these dangers and the protection from them be SOCIALIZED? I for one am perfectly capable of protecting my property of fire, if someone is not, well it's their problem.

You seem to be very lost, @locallost. Great name. Certain services are obviously best done from a collective, society standpoint. You wouldn't be able to protect your property from certain wild fires, like what happened California. Nor protect yourself from an invasion from another country. Nor break up a criminal gangster mob that attacks the people.

So basically socialism works best for some things. Ok, thanks.

Yeah, exactly. You're not so lost after all ;)

Alright. I'm glad you adjusted your viewpoint from the initial "socialism is destroying the world" to "socialism is the best thing for some things". And they say people are much too polarized to have nuance in their views. Thank you for the nice discussion, which also gives me hope for the world. Be well, fellow partial socialist.

Yeah, my viewpoint hasn't changed, only how you've finally understood it. Anyways, peace, be well!

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