: : :
: I think what DonS is refering to in his political ignorance is the correlation between Stalin or Maos variety of Communism and Hitler and Mussolini's variants of Facism Don: Actually I consider the current Russia (which replaced the USSR) to be fascist. And I consider the current PRC to be a strange stepchild of communism and fascism. The former never worked, the latter works only too well.
:every researcher knows that correlation does not prove causation but I suppose we'll do this again for this benefit.
Don: It is interesting, though, that communism and a free society have never been correlated.
: There are, taken at face value, similarities between the regimes in that they sought the concentration and consolidation of power in a single leader and murderously repressed the unions etc. but the ideologies where very different one involved the state becoming the solitary capitalist, therefore apparently increasing efficiency and happiness, the other the state becoming the protector of capitalists.
Don: In fact, fascism and communism are very similar, which is probably why communists and fascists hate each other so.
: In either instance the will of the capitalist was unquestionable and they where in no way accountable to the people as in liberal democracies, given that the socialist is concerned about the unaccountability of private individuals and power and compulsion they exercise it is incredible that anyone can draw the conclusion that the USSR or Nazi Germany where Socialist.
Don: In fact, in both systems the STATE dominates.
: If we want to get into the really, really childish and stupid arguments about "well it was called socialist" or "they claimed to be Socialist" then would DonS consider China Democratic because they call themselves the peoples democratic republic of China
Don: In fact, I consider the PRC to be more fascist than socialist; socialism has already failed there. As socialism has failed the world over.
: or Pinochets death dealing military marketeer Chile the Capitalist ideal of Milton Friedmanns "Capitalism and Freedom" because Pinochet claimed it was the model of his regime?
Don: The success of their free-market retirement plan is quite remarkable. One hopes they adopt more free-market reforms.
: I would suggest that DonS as a would be defender of liberty and freedom not repeat the mistakes of Hayek, Friedmann et al and get a political education rather than operating on assumptions and believeing the word of the Machavellian ruling classes of puesdo-communist regimes.
Don: I've never believed a thing that Bill Clinton said, so you must have me confused with someone else.
