General Discussion

reACTIONary

(7,461 posts)

33. The difference between ....

Sun Jul 5, 2026, 12:27 PM

Sunday

.... Taxpayer funded and private funding is not hard to understand.

What about the difference between a welfare state and socialism is hard to understand? If taxpayer provision of goods and services is "socialism" then every country, everywhere, past, present, and on into the future, is, has been, and always will be socialist.

Let's let Bernie Sanders explain the difference between socialism and welfare statism. Early in his career, as a leader of the socialist Liberty Union Party in Vermont Bernie Sanders stated:

"I favor the public ownership of utilities, banks and major industries." He frequently argued that the oil, energy, telephone, electric, and drug industries should be transferred to public control to serve the public good rather than billionaire profits.

That's socialism. After he became an elected politician and wanted to stay elected, he disavowed this:

"I don’t believe government should own the means of production, but I do believe that the middle class and the working families who produce the wealth of America deserve a fair deal."

That AIN'T socialism. See the difference?

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Highlight:

Let's watch the MAGA's heads explode explaining this one: [View all] Baitball Blogger Saturday OP

And if they get Social Security The Wizard Saturday #1

No Medicare. paleotn Saturday #3

Seriously! They get a paycheck. Bigger paycheck if they're being shot at. paleotn Saturday #2

MAGA will cancel those military benefits "to save tax dollars" IronLionZion Saturday #4

Reagan Bush 1, Bush 2, Trump, Trum0 have ALREADY destroyed what we give back to active and veterans dave99 Saturday #11

No shit popsdenver Sunday #36

Seriously. James48 Saturday #5

Maybe start building public hospitals again. Work at the hospital for 4 years and your medical education LiberalArkie Saturday #7

Like Switzerland. Where all the DARK money hides. dave99 Saturday #12

Oh snap PatSeg Saturday #6

That's why they started calling us communists again. They can no longer defend their hatred of socialism. Iggo Saturday #8

Technically the term for this is "company town" SouthBayDem Saturday #9

Not sure a company town is anything to hold up as good radical noodle Sunday #31

You assume they care or even comprehend relayerbob Saturday #10

As a VET I never got anything free. Jacson6 Saturday #13

I was raised on a military base, which also had housing for civilians. Baitball Blogger Saturday #16

In the Navy, Farmer-Rick Sunday #29

The military is a job.... reACTIONary Saturday #14

The difference is that those benefits are being paid by taxpayers. Baitball Blogger Saturday #17

I don't think paying people to do a job, and giving them benefits... reACTIONary Saturday #18

The light bulb will go on any minute. Baitball Blogger Saturday #20

On a similar note popsdenver Sunday #38

Sure it is Blumancru Sunday #27

Socialized medicine? That's... reACTIONary Sunday #34

Same for ICE Renew Deal Saturday #15

What would you say is the difference is .... reACTIONary Saturday #19

One is based on capitalism and involves private capital; and the other is a government policy paid by taxpayers. Baitball Blogger Saturday #21

Would you say paying government employees a wage... reACTIONary Saturday #24

Lots there to absorb. Baitball Blogger Sunday #26

Thanks for your thoughts on this! reACTIONary Sunday #35

What about the difference between "private corporate-profit-funded" and ..... ColoringFool Sunday #28

The difference between .... reACTIONary Sunday #33

It is not free PCB66 Saturday #22

What has already been said: We don't begrudge the perks, Baitball Blogger Saturday #23

I'm retired AF and I have fun with my fellow retirees when they complain about socialism LogDog75 Saturday #25

Socialism require the working class to pay (minimum) double Justice matters. Sunday #30

This country must really despise our elderly and military Capt. America Sunday #32

Interesting how the republinazis are against "socialized medicine", area51 Sunday #37

Social Security does not involve Progressive dog Sunday #39