Is socialism or communism illegal or unconstitutional?

[Renew Deal]

Poll question: Is socialism or communism illegal or unconstitutional?

I have noticed that socialists and communists run for office popularly in these other countries. I know that some of them run here. But is it legal for the US to socialize business or anything else?

[dakota_democrat]

1. From my marginal knowledge on the subject...

I think it would be legal, but it would be hard to enact.

[K-W]

2. Read the constitution

nothing there about how the economy must be shaped. But for some reason people act as if capitilism is part of our constitution. SOmehow its become our identity.

[H2O Man]

3. Are you serious?

There are numerous services in the United States that are "socialist." Public education is the first one that comes to mind. It is a government-run program available for the benefit of the public. Medicaid & medicare are socialized medical care. County mental health clinics are "socialism." This raises a more interesting question: do you know what socialism is? My guess is no, you don't, and if you are over the age of 14, I'm curious how you would not know basic economic/social policy? That's scarey.

[Renew Deal]

4. Of course I am serious.

Here is why I ask. The pukes like to call Dems socialists and the Dems run from that. What really is scary is that you assume something without asking any questions. Go ask any democratic politician if the programs you mentioned are socialism and see what they say.

[H2O Man]

7. Why would I want to ask "any" democrats?

It's not a serious question. I'd rate it as having the same significance as "Should we legalize Lonnie Anderson's hair?" Further, if the republicans accuse any democrats (myself included) of advocating the legalization of Lonnie Anderson's hair, I hope that as a party we can find the inner strength to recognize it is a foolish diversion from serious debate.

[Touchdown]

5. The Constitution has no rules regarding this.

These are economic priniciples, and both are fair game if the people want them. The only thing that is Sacrosanct in the Constitution is that democracy be adhered to when deciding what kind of market system we should have.

Since both Socialism and Communism theories require democracy to function properly according to Marx/Trotsky/etc., then the Constitution isn't in their way.

Feudalism may be illegal, since if we vote on that (pretty stupid populous that would), then it would render the principles of democracy at odds with the tenets of the Divine right Lordship. The peasantry would be disallowed to vote, as that is not allowed in Feudalism.

[DoNotRefill]

6. It'd depend on how it was done.

For instance, in order to implement a communist program, the seizure of privately owned assets is required. The government would be required to pay just compensation for the seizures in order for it to be constitutional.

This has happened in the past, for example with things like certain regulated industries. The government set prices for things like cooperative grain silo storage and electricity generation. While it wasn't an outright seizure, it was taking control of the assets, and a guaranteed return on investment was required by law. Another example is emminent domain, where the government seizes property for the public good. This is most often associated with highway construction, and fair compensation must be made to the owners.