Do you believe the US is a socialist govt?
Do you believe the US Govt is big and powerful?

http://mises.org/story/2116

>If you don't agree that socialism necessarily means bigger gov't, or that bigger gov't means more power then, unfortunately, I see no point in continuing this discussion. It effectively annuls allusions that we may have any kind of common ground to move through other related issues in productive way. Please, note that I firmly believe that you have full right to have your belief.
>
>>The conversation is way off track,
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>>1) We both believe gov't should be as small as possible
>>2) We both believe that the free market system could provide a solid foundation for an economy, but does not guarentee it
>>3) We both believe that there is room for improvement in how our Govt is run, and we should try to improve it (definition of improve may be different)
>>
>>So the only disagreement is in definitions, and that I think the cost of items should not be subsidized by taxpayers
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>>Not so far off
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>>No, I don't agree that socialism necessarily means bigger gov't, or that bigger gov't means more power. Some of the smallest gov'ts in the world are socialist, some of the biggest are not. The US is not (quite yet) socialist, but it is a big gov't footprint with lots of power.
>>
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>>>Is it so important to allude to the audience? You have own supporters, and I have mine, and exact count is not feasible.
>>>In regard to another dictionary definition, I kindly advise you to look at real world. Any historical example of purer socialistic model shows bigger government, i.e. your dictionary example may talk all the way about 'community', but this is just a play of words (at best) or it is a purposeful misleading in definitions.
>>>As I mentioned on some occasion, discussing sides should still agree on some basics; without it the whole discussion becomes pointless. Incidentally, we hit one of these basics now. Let's try to clear it.
>>>Do you agree that socialistic model means bigger government, i.e. more power? Please, answer this question using your own words, i.e. Yes or No. It is unimportant how Webster or any other dictionary could answer it.
>>>