"Under fascism, citizens retain the responsibilities of owning property, without freedom to act and without any of the advantages of ownership. Under socialism, government officials acquire all the advantages of ownership, without any of the responsibilities, since they do not hold title to the property, but merely the right to use it -- at least until the next purge. In either case, the government officials hold the economic, political and legal power of life or death over the citizens."
by:
Ayn Rand
[Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum] (1905-1982) Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter
Source:
“The Fascist New Frontier,” The Ayn Rand Column, p.98
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Reader comments about this quote:
 -- Mike, Norwalk      
Easy to see why she escaped from the Soviet Union.
 -- cal, lewisville, tx     
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    Excelent, it shows clearly the similarities in both systems. In spite of socialist & communist want to show they are different.
     -- luis, panama     
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    "Government, in it's last analysis, is organized force." Woodrow Wilson
     -- jim k, Austin, Tx     
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    The corruption of the language allows legalese to trump private property rights. Truth be known, you do not in fact own your car (you are merely a beneficiary) but are liable for its use. You do not own your land (you are merely a tenant) and must get permission to do anything on it. Property taxes are unlawful, unless of course it is your property and you are 'taxing' those who use it -- like the feudal systems of old. Little by little, the old tricks of the ruling class have inched their way into our culture and mindset. Few Americans even know that they have absolute right to their own property and it can NEVER be taxed -- that is a socialistic practice.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Acting as a democracy, rejecting our republic, and ignoring the Constitution, the majority has voted for a combination of the two in America. We just call them regulations and public (schools, etc).
     -- Durham, Birmingham, AL     
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    The two concepts are so similar, I have no idea why communists and fascists fought each other in Spain. They sure get along well in America.
     -- Durham, Birmingham,AL     
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     -- David, Mannington, NJ      
    After last nights debate at CNN, easy to see only two spoke in favor of abolishing the IRS. Carson and Cruz. The other three love the corrupt banking system of Greed and Plunder. People have no idea, so true Archer.
     -- Ronw13, USA     
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    One caveat; Rand's "but merely the right to use it" is if fact at law "beneficial ownership". In all forms of socialism (fascism, communism, progresivism, etc.) A privileged use is limited by the beneficial owner. Title of ownership is strictly limited to legally defined use. The occupying statist theocracy infesting this land does not recognize an individual sovereign's perfected allodium status.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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