Socially unacceptable...

I've heard and read a lot of discussions over the years about the differences between socialism and communism. In the last year those discussions have become a lot more lively and acrid as the people who draw little distinction between the two do verbal battle with people who prefer to separate the two. There are adamant opinions on both sides of the fence. Depending on your point of view, there may be some differences, but I've never really seen any. Both rely on government force to exist. I suppose there could be a voluntary socialist society somewhere, but they always seem to end up requiring force to make sure everyone volunteers.

I feel the same way about most political parties. The differences in their programs are a matter of degrees, if there is a difference at all. Controlling people requires force or the threat of force. Except for the people that want to be controlled. Or don't care.

I ran across this quote the other day. I think he was probably right on this one:

"Political tags - such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth - are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire." - Robert A. Heinlein