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Bruce Friesens letter (Democracy vs. socialism, CVN, Vol. 26, No. 17) indicating that democrats are attempting to overthrow our government through socialistic actions which he claims lead to communism is troubling for so many reasons. I understand that facts, science, education and truth are not likely to sway Trump supporters, but I am compelled to point out the facts, nonetheless.

Communism is both a political and economic system while socialist countries tend to be democratic. The author seems to use Marxist theory to express the belief that socialism leads to communism, for which there are no examples. But he ignores another tenet of Marxist philosophy that states that communism can only come about via revolution. Both of these models use the idea that the government provides for each person. This is based not only on their needs but on what they can contribute back to society.

Communists believe that the state or the government should control and own all aspects of economic production. They also think that the state should provide every citizen with their basic needs.

Socialism is a bit more flexible. Socialists believe that all citizens should share in economic resources and who can have what is decided by a democratically elected government. This means that unlike communism, socialists do believe in private property. All industry and production are communally owned and managed by an elected government.

There are only five countries in the world that claim to be communist: China, Vietnam, North Korea, Laos and Cuba. Two of those clearly had revolutions, as have Russia and France. France is clearly not communist or even socialist. Many European countries have elements of socialism, as does the United States. Social Security, Medicare, police and fire departments are just a handful of examples that we enjoy in our country. Do a little research and the difference become obvious.

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Communism and socialism, not the same | Opinion | coastalview.com - Coastal View News