There is no difference between communism and socialism, except in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism proposes to enslave men by force, socialism—by vote. It is merely the difference between murder and suicide.- Ayn Rand, “Foreign Policy Drains U.S. of Main Weapon,” The Los Angeles Times, Sept. 9, 1962
She got it wrong, at least in this quote.
ReplyDeleteThere is no difference between communism and socialism, except that socialism is implemented more incrementally. Communism proposes to enslave men by majority-rule force, and so does socialism. Being forced to comply because you lost a vote is not a voluntary choice, any more than being mugged on the street by a gang is. People who claim to oppose communism ought to actually oppose it, instead of helping to boil the frog more slowly and successfully.
Well-spoken, Anon. In addition, voting is a violent act, period. It's forcing other people to subsidize services for other people. It's choosing to put them under the power of third parties. I'm responsible for my own life. For doing justice in my own life. I help other people, but not through giving them up to the command of others.
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