Quote:
Originally Posted by Xenophon
I see what you mean. And if you equate the word "socialist" or "socialism" with the dictionary definition, many Americans will sound like they are "seeing Socialism wherever they want." Maybe even most. But note that common usage in America does not match the dictionary definition any more.
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The problem with the term is mostly that, as Wodin uses it, it's a discussion-ender. Rather than saying "I disapprove" he's saying "this is unamerican" (hence, communist; odd, that.), even though the preferring of corporate interests over private is very much american, but just something that "polite people don't remind eachother of". By calling it "socialist" though, he's (sort of) externalizing the blame for it, and while it may be true that it wasn't he who caused it, it surely was done by people like him, i.e., Americans.