I think it's really important for everyone to come to grips with the perceptions - and use - of the terms "Socialism" and "Capitalism". The attached link comes pretty close to my own perceptions, but as I just came across it, I'll need to delve deeper...nonetheless, after a quick scan I recommend it and would like to hear your (and others) thoughts.
Here are few somewhat 'random', but hopefully relevant thoughts/observations...
>The use of the term "Socialist" was used as an epithet against FDR back in the 1930s...warning all who would listen that the country was about to fall into an abyss with loss of freedom. Yet, through his four terms and several other Democrat-led administrations, most folks would agree that we are still running a Capitalist economy...
>Capitalism, for all it's energy and demonstrated benefits, still has some "rough edges" for which only government intervention can smooth. As someone with an MBA, I've learned about why laws such as the Sherman and Clayton Acts, FTC and many others needed to be enacted to ensure the proper operation of that Capitalist model.
>Through a myriad of other sources - some by way of my Catholic upbringing - I've also learned of the "collateral damage" sometimes suffered by disadvantaged members of the society. While I wasn't a knowledgable 'devotee' of Dorothy Day, I was impressed by her work and commitment to those without political power, as were apparently both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, who lauded her.
>I've read Thomas Piketty's book "Capital in the 21st Century", and discussed it with many of my "Peeps" who have a range of political persuasion and all agree that a significant - and expanding - wealth gap exists...to the detriment of an ever increasing proportion of our population. I'm left with the impression that the "status quo" is not helping to remedy that reality.
>Since the "status quo" is not meeting the needs of more and more Americans, and neither political party is advocating for "full on" Socialism, there should be some common ground on which to construct improvements...that is what I'd like to discuss further.
Your thoughts...
Link: https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2018/8/16/17698602/socialism-capitalism-false-dichotomy-kevin-williamson-column-republican-ocasio-cortez