Misunderstanding Socialism

For John, BLUF:  If you don't have a bit of an understanding of economics and politics you can get led astray.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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This is a discussion of a couple of Twitter exchanges.

Jedediah Bila
@JedediahBila
My even more favorite conversations are with those who equate first responders and roads with socialism.

That was a response to this Tweet:

Steven Hawkins
@HittaHawkins
Replying to @JedediahBila
My favorite conversations are with those who despise socialism but love things like first responders and roads... 🤔😒
5:40 PM · Jul 3, 2018

Then, later, we have this follow-on comment from Mr Steven Hawkins:

15h
Replying to @JedediahBila
To be clear, I’m not advocating Marxist socialism I’m just pointing out that we have a lot of socialist programs in this country that people enjoy. when you realize that it’s not such a scary word..

Capitalism without socialism is fascism.

I am thinking the Mr Hawkins doesn't understand Fascism.

Without Socialism there is no Fascism.  The German version was known as the National Socialist Party (National Socialist German Workers' Party).

I wonder if Mr Hawkins thinks that in Capitalism all streets should be turnpikes, of a private nature?

Senator E Warren was on to something when she made her "you didn't build that" remark.  Sure, we all depend on the roads and canals and dredged rivers and harbors that carry our goods.  But, that is as old as the wheel.  That is from before feudalism.  The key question is to what degree did freedom play in the ability of economies to provide employment.  Put, another way, to what degree did the freedom of the individual entrepreneur to do his own thing play in reducing global poverty from some 80% two hundred years ago to under 10% today.  For sure, socialism didn't do it.

Regards  —  Cliff