Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 | 2 a.m.
View more of the Sun's opinion section
View more of the Sun's opinion section
Right-wing provocateurs need to stop rewriting the dictionary. Communism and socialism are not inseparable.
Socialism is commonly regarded as an economic system that strives to achieve societal equality. The dictionary defines communism as a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party.
Socialism is a more liberal system, allowing for elected officials deciding how the economy should be run, while communism controls through a single, authoritarian party.
Most societies have socialist components (public schools, interstate highways, railroads, etc.) that benefit everyone. The idea that proposing social programs and platforms that help everyone is a road to a communist takeover of our country is absurd. This is fearmongering at its worst.
Our society’s fabric is being torn to shreds by distortions, revisions, misinterpretations and outright lies.
