Heh. It'll be the first time I agree with Akuma, but he is correct.
Every economy is mixed. The question is 'how much mixing is enough?' and also what kind of mixing is needed: Does the government that mandate something also need to be the one to run it? Very esoteric questions to answer on an individual level for everyone.
Humanity shares a socialistic value. As a Christian, I value private socialism to a very high degree. The Bible teaches socialism as a very valuable attribute of the Jews (the 30% tax for the poor every 3 years, as per Leviticus) and goes into the NT with the food allotments for the Jewish widows, and the councils that were established. All of which would be deemed 'socialist'. The debate must be focused on what part should be government, and what part should be private. We must also look into if a ideal would be a good idea to integrate for society as a whole...No one in their right mind would argue that primary education for every student, free of charge, is a bad thing. But who runs it?
And I agree again that every party, every person, has their own idea and value set for what their idea of socialism is, despite the fact that everyone is socialist to some degree. Of course, in my paleoconservative opinion, the burden should be on the public to demonstrate socialistic values, and for the government merely to regulate said socialistic programs to ensure they aren't corrupt.
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
