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Socialism in the US
- Thread starter tourmaline
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MG1962
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Refer post #40 of this thread
It's a 'yes' or 'no' question.
MG1962
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One I have already answered........try doing some reading
Tricky
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Nice of you to tell folks their opinions. So much easier than letting them tell you.In your view those who accuse Obama are right.
But if favoring some socialistic policies or programs makes him a socialist, then Obama is a socialist. He's also a capitalist. He's also a libertarian. Probably an anarchist too.
Do you see why it is foolish to label somebody because of their position on a single issue? Yet many on the right do exactly this, oblivious to the fact that they're labeling themselves as socialists as well.
I'm not the one labeling Obama as a socialist.
RandFan
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Because I said:
Intellectually honest and consistent.
To claim that the word means one thing and use it in another way is a misuse of the word, right?
If they are consistent and honest, Yes!
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RandFan
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I applaud you for that if to you the word has a singular meaning.
How can you determine if people are being honest and consistent if words can be redefined at will? If your only criteria is how popular a usage gets, then they can say whatever they want, as long as enough people do it.
RandFan
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If someone says that Obama is a socialist and then claims that the word must be used only in its classical sense that strikes me as inconsistent, right?
I don't think it works that way. However, if I'm in a discussion and someone wants to redefine a word I don't mind so long as they are consistent with the word.
I've never said Obama was a socialist. You must be talking about someone else.
We're not just talking about a discussion. You've been arguing that if a word is misused by enough people, then the word's definition has to be changed and broadened to encompass the wrong meaning.
RandFan
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I never said that you said Obama was a socialist. You asked me how I could tell if someone was being consistent. I answered you.
We are having a discussion.
I'm arguing that words evolve. The evolution starts as misuse and, like a speciation at some point it's no longer correct to say a word is misused.
You use words in a way that was at one time a misuse, right?
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SezMe
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Are you having a gay time in this thread?
crimresearch
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+1
You think Obama is a socialist then?
SezMe
post-pre-born
I think this thread has devolved into a silly battle of the dictionaries. I think trying to apply one single label to Obama (or anyone else, for that matter) is equal in value to debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
In short, the whole thing is a bit, er ... queer.
In short, the whole thing is a bit, er ... queer.
Living languages by definition are open to outside and inside influences and word definitions morph and change with every generation. Many words used by generations before us have different meanings now or have fallen out of favor.
Tricky
Briefly immortal
Then what IS your position? Most other folks in this thread have made their meaning clear one way or the other. Do you have an opinion, or are you here just to quote dictionaries and act all offended if people try to interpret what you've said? Show a little spine, man.
MG1962
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No, I've asked a question twice and still no answer.
I think Respect is right, you do agree with Republicans for once but are afraid to admit it.
Those who have no spine are the ones avoiding to answer my question.
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