Crazy Ass Apocolyptic Farm Woman Ramblings
So it came up in conversation yesterday… What is the difference between Communism and Socialism? I know there is a difference, but I’m not sure I know enough to explain it properly. My belief is that if you don’t understand something, shut up about it. So, rather than argue that YES, there IS a difference. Well, I would like to be able to explain that difference. And no, I’m neither in support of America becoming Socialist or Communist. Please don’t misinterpret my intentions. I just figure that there is a lot of talk of America going from a Democracy to a Socialist or Communist type Nation. And, if that is true, and if it’s not true, I want to understand WTF everyone is talking about. Personally I think we’re going to continue being a Democracy which operates with a Capitalistic economy and adopts some of the Socialist healthcare characteristics. But the way Obama shuns the big wig media conferences and has always spit in the eyes of the lobbyists, well, that kind of makes me curious. He’s a different kind of President. I’m not sure that means he’s a Socialist though! Dang. The guy obviously has morals and is different. But if you’re different that means you’re an anti-American or a Communist?
Instead of getting frustrated with Obama, shouldn’t we give him longer than 2 months before we figure he’s screwed it all up, or that he’s the Anti-Christ, or that he’s a Commie? Two months? And we’re all getting a little antsy about his stimulus packages, but honestly: What did this war, that was all about weapons of mass destruction that we never found, cost us in comparison? One guy dug our hole with a trillion dollar 14 kt gold shovel dipped in oil. The other guy? Well, he’s trying to climb us out. Let’s give him more than 2 months, shall we?
I’m rambling. Speaking of rambling, check this out… I joined the pregnancy discussion group and we’re all talking about the economy and baby-making in a bad economy, blah, blah. I told the group that I had started preparing a bit for rainier days. I told them it wasn’t just because of the economy, but also because emergency preparedness is smart for many different scenarios. I said I saw seed saving, getting canning equipment, buying some chickens, planning a really great garden, stocking up on meds, soap, vitamins, food, etc… There was like 25 women who were like, “Wow, great idea. Maybe I should do that too. Why the heck not?” And then there were like 5 women who were calling me a crazy farm lady, saying I was paranoid and delusional, insisting I was living in fear, and I was “Apocalyptic”. WTF!? Have people lost their minds!? What is apocalyptic about seed saving!? I mean, I picture the apocalypse being fire and brimstone and shit. Not great conditions for planting gardens, wouldn’t you say? Screw ‘em. See if I share with them any of my zucchini bread baked in my dutch oven when the shit hits the fan!
Speaking of Farm women? I have an apron with hens on it. Yeyyyyah! Don’t be haterz.
Ok, back to the original point of this post. Explaining the difference between Communism and Socialism. Of course, you would probably need more than one source to be edumacated about the subject. But this is better than nothing…
WiseGeek defines Communism vs. Socialism:
“Socialism and communism are ideological doctrines that have many similarities as well as many differences. It is difficult to discern the true differences between socialism and communism, as various societies have tried different types of both systems in myriad forms, and many ideologues with different agendas have defined both systems in biased terms. Some general points distinguishing the two concepts, however, can still be identified.
One point that is frequently raised to distinguish socialism from communism is that socialism generally refers to an economic system, while communism generally refers to both an economic and a political system. As an economic system, socialism seeks to manage the economy through deliberate and collective social control. Communism, however, seeks to manage both the economy and the society by ensuring that property is owned collectively and that control over the distribution of property is centralized in order to achieve both classlessness and statelessness. Both socialism and communism are similar in that they seek to prevent the ill effects that are sometimes produced by capitalism.
Both socialism and communism are based on the principle that the goods and services produced in an economy should be owned publicly and controlled and planned by a centralized organization. However, socialism asserts that the distribution should take place according to the amount of individuals’ production efforts, while communism asserts that that goods and services should be distributed among the populace according to individuals’ needs.
Another difference between socialism and communism is that communists assert that both capitalism and private ownership of means of production must be done away with as soon as possible in order to make sure a classless society, the communist ideal, is formed. Socialists, however, see capitalism as a possible part of the ideal state and believe that socialism can exist in a capitalist society. In fact, one of the ideas of socialism is that everyone within the society will benefit from capitalism as much as possible as long as the capitalism is controlled somehow by a centralized planning system.
Finally, another difference between socialism and communism is centered on who controls the structure of economy. Where socialism generally aims to have as many people as possible influence how the economy works, communism seeks to concentrate that number into a smaller amount.”
So there’s some reading material for ya. As if you all are living life like you’re on bedrest and have nothing to do but read my babbling posts. Thanks for humoring me anyways! 
Posted by: stepherz | 03-22-2009 | 07:03 PM
Posted in: Just Me
I agree with the definition, I would say France is a liberal democracy with a dash of capitalism and a good dose of socialism run by a right wing party.
It’s extraordinary what Bush got away with for 8 years, and the fear of communism and socialism from American, socialist countries ARE NOT like Korea, former Soviet Union, Former East Germania, Romania, and so forth…
sorry, Germany not Germania.
Where do I get an apron with chickens on it?
I would agree with Sissi regarding the definitions. If I was much better at speaking French, since Canada is considered a bilingual country, I would move to France too, as I prefer their governement’s support of social programs compared to Canada’s. My children are in French Immersion, so they will have more options in where can they want to live when they grow up.
However, I would consider Canada very similar to America but a little more liberal in our social policies. Generally, the majority of Canadians do NOT fear more government if it improves our lifestyles. In addition to our universal healthcare, we also have a paid one year’s maternity leave, with laws in place to make sure your job is secure upon return. Parental leave up to a maximum of 35 weeks, for dads or parents who have adopted; stricter regulations over drugs, food, our banking system.
Because of the NOT deregulating our financial system, Canada’s banks did not need any bail outs or get caught up with prime mortage schemes.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090317/canada_banks_090317/20090317?hub=CTVNewsAt11: “Canadian banks have remained profitable, outperforming their peers, because of tighter government restrictions on lending and capital requirements,” the Bloomberg report said.”
There’s still a very conservative popuation in Canada similar to America’s, but I find there isn’t as much polarity with who is considered desevering and undesevering of social programmes.
I think you can ask yourself what you think an ideal society would have in terms of how goverment and private sector can work together. Then perhaps you’ll find a political term that best sums up what you’ve been thinking.
Very interesting, Cupcake. I’ve learned a lot about Canada too in talking with you. I think you’re very right, more government power could be good– One year of maternity!? And you go back to your same job when you come back? That’s so not the way things are done here. If you take longer than 90 days, you’re DONE. And that’s no way to support family.
If the government used its additional power to benefit the people, well I’m all for it. I guess my only concern is whether or not a non corrupt government can be formed here. People are a littel weary of giving the Gov. more power after Bush. He took the power and ran with it. He scoffed at us while doing it. People in America are burned out and over it.
But isn’t Obama already showing some signs that it’s possible to have a leader that isn’t corrupt? I liken him to Jimmy Carter, who I think was an outstanding President (though I was an infant during his Presidency). If we would have implemented some of his ideas, we’d be driving solar powered cars and living much cleaner than we do. And we owe that to the rest of the world. We’re the biggest spenders, wasters, consumers, and polluters. I keep falling off the subject… Where was I?
Back to Obama: This man told the lobbyists to go suck on a big rotten egg! No one has ever done that!!! He does business so differently. I don’t know for sure that he isn’t corrupt like the rest of them, but he sure seems to do politics a lot cleaner to me. Bush’s personal gain from the war, the Avian Bird Flu scare, ohhhh the list goes on and on… That doesn’t seem like Obama’s intentions at all. I guess we’ll watch and see…
There is also the element of how conservative so much of America is, how set in their ways they are, how divided they are right now. I’m afraid if the government tried changing things too much, there might be some consequences. Maybe I’m totally wrong. Perhaps the government could utilize the Press to make Americans feel comfortable with the changes, excited about them, in charge of them, instead of fearful, well perhaps then it would work to transition. Imagine that! Using the Press to make people feel good about their lives rather than using it as a tool to scare the shit out of them and keep them in line!?
Ugghh… I could go on and on. I wish I knew people who liked to talk about government and politics. Most people are very defensive or uninterested. Thanks for the great conversation, Ladies!
I read this quote from a Canadian that I thought was interesting…
“Americans are even more ignorant than they are capitalist. It’s completely laughable to even think that Canada is a SOCIALIST country.
Americans like to frame and label things that are different to what they understand and declare them evil. There’s a reason my family calls down south Jesus Land instead of the USA, because their political beliefs are about as well-founded as Catholic dogma.
Sure, Canada may lean more towards socialism than the USA, but it’s still one of the most capitalistic countries out there.”
What do you think?
Yes in France we have a 3 year maternity leave just like in Canada, laws secure your job and your salary upon return, in the meantime you collect money for raising your kids, it’s not as much as your salary but like I said before when you count the expenses of a job, all in all, it’s about the same. What you’re not making you’re saving it.
The new dad get a one week “maternity” leave where he is still paid and all, gives him time to be with his new born child.
I have few french friends living in Canada, I am quite ignorant about the economic system but I did hear them finding the medical system very similar to France.
You should check out Scandinavians countries, France is nothing compare to them, they are among the wealthiest countries in Europe, they have the best education system, the greenest mentality and way of life, the most advanced in many industries, they’re very liberal, they do so much for their people, they’re socialists, they do so much for their people, and they’re still a monarchy!
I’ve found that countries in Europe which are still run by a queen or a king are amongst the most dynamic, the most open and the best run countries in the world.
I know some Americans must think, queen? king? socialist? that sounds like a dictatorship to us, but it’s not, it’s even more democratic than a democracy!
We just have some learning to do here in America. We’re just an infant country in the scheme of things– we don’t really have the experience to know what kind of government is best yet. I think that will take time. We need to do some changing to keep up with the changing times and the changing world. There really is no reason to fund wars anymore when our responsibility to our own people and to the Earth is far more important than some greed induced “war on terror”. I’m so glad that we’re nearly done with this war era. We are done with that, I hope…
RE: presidental corruption
It’s funny, because of Bush’s foreign policies and his Patriot Act, which not only affected those who lived in America, but anyone who crosses the US border can be accused of being a terroist by border security if there was any hint of suspicion, I started reading up more on US politics. Canada’s PM does NOT have as much power as an American President in leading a country. I read somewhere, American presidents have executive power built into their job description, i.e. to be able to create/change policies without really consulting other branches of gov. — too much power for one person.
RE: quote from the Canadian
That’s a good quote and I think it’s true. Our current PM is very fiscally conservative and we like to compare him to Bush in this belief of free market deregulation, no matter what the cost to the environment or people. Yet, because our social programs are so ingrained in Canadian society, he can’t be as socially conservative as he wants to be if he wants to remain PM.
To Sissi: My cousin just married a man from Holland and moved there. Can’t wait to visit her someday!
Just as an FYI, Canada has a constitutional monarchy type of government. The Queen of England is merely a figure head (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Canada). Remember, Canada was formed by English Loyalists because the American 13 colonies wanted to become an independent country. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Colonies)
Canadians like to joke how boring our country’s history is compared to America’s. Just look at Canada’s motto “Peace, order and good government” compare that to America’s “Life, love and the pursuit of happiness”.
It was good chatting politics with you all too.