re: OT-: Let's Talk Socialism

I'm a little late to the discussion here, but I wanted to weigh in on Kneehigh's troglodyte argument of: "hurr durr, Nazi stands for National Socialist, that means that you liberals and Democrats are the Nazis and love Hitler, hurr durr."

History is a wonderful thing, so let us take a historical perspective. It is true that in its early days, the NSDAP was both nationalist and socialist; hence its name. They sought to dismantle Germany's powerful industrial culture and transfer the means of production to normal folks, provided they were White and non-Jewish. However, as Hitler gained power, Germany's industrial titans did not like what they were seeing, so they sought to gain influence from the inside of the party. This culminated with the so-called Night of the Long Knives, when Ernst Rohm, the leader of the SA and the socialist god-father of the party, was killed by Heinrich Himmler and his corporate-oriented SS. At this point, with the exception of safety net programs, the Nazi party adopted a fascist economic model, despite keeping its original name.

And that's just the economic side. Let's not forget about the nationalist side. Nationalism, at least by the Continental definition, means creating a society in which those with a different skin color, religion, language, or alienage are not tolerated. I grew up in rural Gwinnett County back when Klan rallies still happened openly. I still remember the faces and names of the guys who sat at my high school lunch table who would regularly talk about the need to send "the n*ggers back to Africa." Rest be assured they are all Republicans today. It's simply ludicrous to suggest that the Republican party is the party of religious and racial inclusivity, and that the Democrats are the party of Hitler.

Digressing back to main topic of the OP: I personally do not endorse many policies that, for example, Senator Sanders endorses. But there are worse outcomes in our life than America's insurance industry being nationalized. Just because a self-described socialist wants to nationalize an industry that has caused - arguably - more harm than good to the American people, doesn't mean he wants to nationalize every industry.