Socialism = workers own the means of production

Communism = state owns the means of production

Welfare State Capitalism = private ownership of the means of production, with progressive taxation and social programs to provide a safety net for the poor.

#3 is what we’ve had since the 1930s. Good stuff, I think. Of course, the taxation is hardly progressive anymore, and those private owners are chipping away at the safety nets, too.

But anyway, next time someone tells you such-and-such policy or legislation is “socialist,” be sure to ask them which workers are being granted ownership of which means of production…

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