General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why Not Socialism?: The Right’s red-baiting has been far too effective [View all]eridani
(51,907 posts)Selling something on ebay does not mean you owned the machinery that produced what you are selling. Only owners of the means of production are capitalists. Ownership of personal property is an absolute that has existed in all societies, hunter/gatherers, feudalist, capitalist and communist. Even totalitarian dictatorships have people who own appliances, clothing, etc, and who often sell those things to other people.
All public goods are socialist. The fire department is run entirely by the principle of from each according to his ability, to each according to his need, straight out of Karl Marx. The more your property is worth, the higher the taxes you have to pay. And they'll never send a truck out unless you have a fire or other emergency. This works quite well, counter to your assertion.