In the USA, what is the difference between a Socialist and a Democrat (aka Liberal)?

Question

I having a difficult time distinguishing between American Democrats and Socialists. Yet, if you ask a Liberal if they are a Socialist, most ademantly state they are not.

Perhaps my idea of a socialist is off, but it seems to me the Democratic party is trying as hard as they can to turn this country into a socialist state.

If I am wrong-headed, then educate me.......

Answer 1

Your assessment is correct.

The reason Liberals don't realize they are advocating Socialism is that they have no coherent political philosphy. They don't even understand the meaning of the terms that they use. They just hop from one disconnected idea to the other. It reminds me of the old Saturday Night Live show back in the 1970's when Dan Ackroyd would tell Jane Curtain, "Jane, you ignorant sl*t. Hopping, literally hopping from bed to bed until no decent man would have you".

That is how Liberals act. They just jump from one "feel good" idea to the next. First it's global warming, next it's an "anti-war" demonstration movement (which ironically, if successful, would guarantee we'd be on the bad side of a terrorist war against a very determined enemy).

Listen to every Democratic Presidential candidate. When asked what Kerry would do to reduce unemployment, he suggested creating some monstrously huge and complex department to help people find jobs. Can you believe what type of morass that would be? Even worse than the Department of Housing and Urban Development! (by the way, have you ever heard of this department actually making any progress over the years?)

So, when you hear Liberals deny they are Socialists, they may not be lying. They simply do not understand what the term means.

Answer 2

well, the problem with socialism is that everyone has their own definition for it...

but I thought the actual definition is that the government controls basically all the money and gives the services as they are needed... in other words, you don't get paid, but the government gives you everything you need...

I've never seen a Democrat support this... they have supported some social programs... which can be socialist in nature...

but Hitler liked the idea of interstates, that doesn't make an interstate highway system supporter a nazi...

the only real socialist issue the Dems seem to be pushing now is social healthcare that I can see... nothing else really on the radar... we have some social issues already implemented, but many Republicans support these too... as there is clearly a need to some degree for these...

Answer 3

Funny that you asked this 9 years ago, but Chris Matthews just asked Debbie Wasserman Shultz "What is the difference between a Democrat and a Socialist? and she could not answer it, you know why? because there is not difference at all, The Democrat Party has been infiltrated by hard core left wingers, more communists than Russians, our colleges are ran by these communists mongers peddling lies to our future generations, changing fundamentally our Country values. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/08/02/leader_of_democratic_party_again_wont_explain_difference_between_democrats_and_socialists.html

Answer 4

I doubt anything would change your mind. If you already equate these things like this together, it's probably too late. I don't think your idea of socialism is anywhere near close. I'd recommend spending some time in school, at a library, even wikepedia.