Propaganda: "Socialism"

During the debates about how to rescue the economy, many conservatives have criticised the idea of government intervention as "Socialism". This is a purely political argument, as most people listening to this have no idea on earth what socialism is, but merely by the tone of disgust they can tell it's something bad.

So what is socialism, should we be afraid or should we be very, very afraid?

The following quote lets you know a little bit about the philosophical divide. "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his need." This is from one of the most famous thinkers of socialism, Karl Marx.

I heard this once recently on the Sean Hannity radio program which I can sometimes pick up on the car radio from Detroit. The caller agreed it didn't sound like too bad an idea. At which Sean Hannity roared back "That was a quote by Karl Marx!" And the call ended there.

In the context of our modern society, it is a radical idea that might just destroy our way of life. It means that you are not rewarded for working, you are rewarded for needing. Furthermore, if you don't need anything it means you could be forced to work for nothing. And one more thing - since no one really needs luxury goods like trucks, TV's, cottages by the lake, or vacations in Hawaii, that has to stop for everyone.

But taken in the context of a very poor society, where people are starving, it has a certain mass appeal. And there are many places in this world even today, where this appeal is pretty strong. I would think that back in 1875, it might have had even more appeal.

Apparently Karl Marx was not the first to start thinking along these lines, and according to Wikipedia, the first recorded instance of this kind of thought is in the Bible, so if you have one you may want to look it up.

Acts 4:32-35

32. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35. And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

And furthermore, you can look at the parable of the workers in the Vineyard: Matthew 20:1-16

So not just Karl Marx, but also Jesus.