The problem with 'Socialist'

[WordsMatter]

12. It's 'Democratic Socialist' and 'Democratic Socialism'

Not simply ‘socialist’ – words matter.

Socialism: “a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.” Basically the ‘government’ controls and implements all commerce.

One accurate definition of Democratic Socialism is: a political system where both the economy and society are governed and implemented democratically to meet the needs of all people. Nobody wants the government to make and sell cars or toaster ovens or haircuts for example, as these are why we have private businesses.

Our Constitution basically establishes a democratic socialism government. It’s in the Preamble and Article I Section 8: “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility”, that Congress has the power to “provide for the common Defence and general Welfare”, and “establish Post Offices and post Roads”. Note that the only reference to economics/business is that Congress has the power “To regulate Commerce”.