Don't people who support socialism understand that a government that gives you everything "free" can also take everything away from you?

[RingOfFire]

The only thing standing between you and a corrupt evil government (which ALL governments become if you give them too much power over you) is private property. Once all the things you own are given to you by the government THEY OWN *YOU*

In every case in history where socialism has been the predominant form of government, it ended in horror and disaster for the people.

Yes, under socialism everyone becomes equal... equally POOR. Just ask the people of Cuba.

Why? Because when there is no incentive to produce anything, nothing is produced. You don't want to have job unless you are paid for your time and work right? Is that greedy or is it just normal human behavior?

Trading skill, talent and initiative for money that represents the means to provide for yourself and your family and improve their lifestyle is NOT greedy, it is the healthy human nature that humans were designed for. EVERYONE wants to make a profit. And there is nothing wrong with it. In fact there is everything right about it. It is what lifts us OUT of poverty. And it is the backbone of why free market capitalism is the most successful, most prosperity creating economic system known. It is the liberator, the freedom maker and the prosperity builder of a healthy human society.

Socialism, on the other hand, is the destroyer of a healthy human society. It is the death of innovation, inspiration and prosperity. Why produce when everything is handed to you? Until one day it suddenly isn't because nothing is being produced and there is no incentive to do it. It is an invitation to evil government to sacrifice your freedom and prosperity.

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Socialism has been called "Communism without a gun."

I know the formal definitions but it is a distinction without a difference to me. I think Socialism is the first step to dictatorship which usually comes in some variety of communism. Once you submit to either, your fate is sealed.

Getting out of a Socialist hellhole is like getting surgery for a stage 4 cancer. Your odds of survival are slim.

[FreyaRed]

Socialism as economic system has a motivation problem, that's why it doesn't work for too long on bigger scale.
Former Soviet union and Warsaw Pact states were socialist and collapsed because of that. People were per law obliged to work but productivity was low, while communist party came with ideological BS to motivate human resources.

[RingOfFire]

"People were per law obliged to work but productivity was low"

That is the crux of it. Why should anyone work hard or put in the effort to make things that other people voluntarily want to buy if they don't get rewarded for it. With socialism instead of rewarding productivity and invention they punish it with ever more taxes. It is the death of productivity, creativity, initiative, and life enhancing discoveries and inventions that improve the human lot. It is the death of incentives to improve the fate of humanity disguising itself as the savior of humanity. It is an evil curse. And just as importantly it is now the official ideology of the American Democrat party. These people are following Europe and other failed parts of the world down the hellhole of socialism.

[Anonymous]

Smart people do. One of the greatest lies ever told is, "i'm from the government and i'm here to help". The governement is a broad sword, not a scalpel and except in the situation of absolute disaster it's best if the government stays out of it. As the government will almost make every situation worse.

[RingOfFire]

Right you are!

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help." --Ronald Reagan

[Dargil]

Socialism is and always has been equal distribution of poverty. And if the government takes all their money, they don't have money to keep their businesses running and keep you employed. That, children is how it works. Remember that next Tuesday. Vote Democrat and don't bother trying to buy your next iphone.

[exitseven]

The politicians will always come out on top. The rest of us will suffer

[Ariesman81Nshiiit]

There's a reason it's so popular with the sub 30 demographic and feminists.

[moddy_the_mod]

They’re planning on the government taking everything away from you and give it to them.