Socialism—or appropriate government services? It depends…

…upon your point of view.

It is a fine 0ºF (windchill –12ºF) and partly-cloudy morning here in Old Saint Paul, Minnesota—OUTSIDE—I am, of course, INSIDE, enjoying my mug of organically & shade-grown, Fair-Trade, Sumatran-Roast coffee! I’m thinking about the much-bandied-about word “socialism.”

A simple definition from Karl Marx himself: “from each according to his ability to each according to his need.” [Karl Marx in his 1875 Critique of the Gotha Program.]

But Marx’s definition, if worded just a little differently: “from each according to his ability (to pay taxes), to each according to his need (everyone),” would apply to ALL government services.

Those government services that are perceived as beneficial the individual (but may not benefit others) are not socialist, but essential.

Those government services that are perceived as not beneficial the individual (but may benefit others) are socialist.