Liberalism is socialism says local wingnut, help me refute this...

[usregimechange]

crap! How is liberalism different than socialism?

Obviously, one is a political philosophy and the other an economic system. Liberals mostly want regulated capitalism. Any other points I could make?

[thefloyd]

1. yes

First call your freep friend a feudilist.

Second. THere is no caste system

[Cleita]

2. Hmmm. I was called a socialist because I thought

Medicare should cover the whole population, not just us old farts. Voila! It is socialism and liberalism! Get your definitions right and don't back down.

[mike_c]

3. why refute it?

Lots of good liberal ideas in socialism, IMO. Lots of common roots. Don't refute socialism-- embrace it.

[johnaries]

4. Here ya go!

"Modern American liberals are democratic capitalists. That is, they believe that private capitalist individuals should own and control the means of production, as long as they operate within the democratic law. By contrast, socialists believe that everyone should own and control the means of production."
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-socialism.htm

"Socialism means that workers, not private owners, would own and control the means of production: factories, farmland, machinery, and so on...

...By comparison, liberals believe that private owners should own and control the means of production, formulate company policy, and have the right to select their own management team. Liberals would prevent them from abusing their powers through checks and balances like strong labor unions and democratic government."

http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/ShortFAQ.htm#socialism

Lot's more here:
http://web.ask.com/web?q=what+is+the+difference+between+liberalism+and+socialism%3F&qsrc=0&o=0

[Hello_Kitty]

5. I just say this

Liberals believe that corporations should be regulated and people should be free and conservatives (the current variety at least) believe the opposite. Doesn't really address the socialism thing but your wingnut doesn't know what he's talking about anyway.

[Peter Frank]

6. Tell Your Friend That...

...if Clinton had balooned the deficit, and expanded federal control the way this administration has -- "Conservatives" would have called for his head on a platter.