I think socialism can probably work, but I'm against it nonetheless.

My problem with socialism is that it's essentially mandatory government-controlled charity on a national level. I don't like this for a number of reasons.

First, the government should have no hand in charity; charity should be left to individuals, NPOs, and religion

Secondly, charity should be a personal choice. For the government to forcibly seize our money via taxes and use it towards social programs takes away that choice.

Third, we get no say in what programs our money is being towards. When I give money to charity, I give to charities that buy kids schoolbooks and lunches, as well as Red Cross and United Way. When the government starts in with the socialist bullshit, for all I know my money is being used to give some whorebag a free abortion or send some worthless crackhead to rehab.

The primary difference is that in communism, private ownership is nearly non-existent. In communism, the government directly owns all the land and the raw resources found therein as well as all industrial facilities. Thus, free enterprise does not exist in communism nor do family-owned homes. You live in a government-owned house and work in a government-controlled factory. But first you go to a government-controlled school where they teach you to love it.

In socialism, there is a greater degree of personal freedom and ownership, but the government still controls some major aspects of society. For instance, some European nations have government-run universities instead of private ones. They offer a free college education to all their citizens, but they also require a mandatory period of military service.

You know, Intercontinental is one word. Shouldn't they be called IBMs?