: Don: Socialism is the public ownership of industry. What you are discussing is fascism. Government control of industry and the economy. It is "fascism with a friendly face", but fascism nontheless.: MDG: Sorry I couldn't answer earlier; I just got off my black helicopter and am only now back at my computer, crafting a Master Plan for a Greater United States (tough to concentrate, though, in these ill-fitting jackboots). Don, my trusty dictionary defines "fascism" as a political philosophy which exalts nation, and often race, above the individual under a centralized, in not dictatorial, government. It says nothing about buying up excess apricots to keep the apricot farmers and their Congressmen happy. On the other hand, the United States is the land of white supremacy and chants of "USA #1," headed by a central government which has resorted to force and subterfuge to repress political dissent, so maybe you're right for all the wrong reasons.
Don: Fascism is an economic system where the government controls, but does not own, industry. Buying crops from farmers and telling them how much they can grow qualifies as fascist policies, although I don't think I would classify a government as fascist on the basis on one or two such policies. The US government regulates and controls buisness to such a degree that it *is* fascist.
Don: Back in the 30's the feds bought tomatos from my father, and then told him he had to plow the rest under. He couldn't even give them away. He let the neighbors know he couldn't sell them, or give them away, but that he "couldn't" do anything if someone came in and stold them . . .
Don: That is fascism . . .
