"Socialism is the phantastic younger brother of despotism, which it wants to inherit. Socialism wants to have the fullness of state force which before only existed in despotism. ... However, it goes further than anything in the past because it aims at the formal destruction of the individual ... who ... can be used to improve communities by an expedient organ of government."
by:
Friedrich Nietzsche
(1844-1900) German philosopher, cultural critic, poet, philologist
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We hold this truth to be self evident. A great starter definition of socialism An excellent observation of history repeating itself over, and over, and over again.
 -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    The quote hints at a truism. That when people organize, individuality is compromised. The Tea Party for example has attempted to marshall various folk with various views about political matters into one "socialized" group. The only way to stay an "individual" it would seem would be to talk with no one and live in the woods. Nietzche spent his life writing this crap, never had friends or lovers and went insane sometime in his '40's. Sometime very soon I suspect that someone will organise as "The Independent Party of America" have a convention, platform etcetera.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    Nietzsche may have gone mad but he was perfectly sane when he wrote this. Waff, comparing Tea Parties organizing to Socialism is preposterous to say the least.
     -- jim k, Austin,Tx     
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    That Mr. Nietzsche is mistaken ........ that socialism is about using my taxes, for the benefit of my society. Not for padding the wallet of every tired carpet bagger with their hand in my pocket. How many times do we see some capitalist with their hand outstretched for a public bail-out. Then they flap their lips afterward, about how evil socialism is.
     -- Jamie, Nelson     
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    Jim google "billionarie brothers Koch behind Tea Party". These guys are pulling the strings of naive people to do their bidding. Thre father by the way made his fortune building oil refineries for Stalin. Is the Tea Party a social group or what that is trying as hard as it is to all believe the same thing whatever that is. The Koch brothers are trying to socialize their message which is "power to the billionaires and cake for the masses".
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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     -- Nick      
    Waffler, about the Koch brothers, what a bunch of agent provocateur B.S. Absolutely no ties to the Tea Party movement that would rise to the level of the accusations. As I said, I know some of the original individuals that came down from New Hampshire to do the first Tea Party activity. Just a bunch of guys on their own nickel trying to bring attention to the loss of freedom in Amerika. I don't affiliate with the Tea Party movement but, have associated with involved individuals all around the country, all are zealously independent and totally aloof from the Democrat Party, Republican Party and the Koch brothers. Just another false flag slur propaganda proved wrong, that the substantiveless progressives will run with among themselves. Waffler, the same logic used against the brothers would say since you support Democracy, the democratically elected terrorists of Gaza that kill babies is supported by you and, because you've swam in the same ocean that touches the Mediteranian you are closely and physically connected.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    That's why 'democracy' has been the tool of the socialists since day one. Then once in power, vote themselves more power -- there is no end. Collectivism is but despotism by committee.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    We are living in the period of the transfer from freedom to serfdom because the socialists are winning.

    To paraphrase Hayek's book: "The Road To Serfdom" .... (is paved with good intentions).

    Tough road for those who love freedom.

    Semper Fi.
     -- bruski, Naples FL     
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    FN had a great mind, but not on this occasion!
     -- Robert, Somewhere in Europe     
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     -- Mike, Pleasant Hill      
     -- Ronw13, Logsden      
    Waffler, so typical of an anti-inalienable right / liberty / individual sovereign agent of despotism, by profession enforcing the 2nd plank of the communist manifesto. You demonstrate the obvious misconception most collectivists make. Individual sovereigns uniting in an action do not diminish that which is inalienable or an inherent faculty of birth, it in fact expands or multiplies the manifestation. You continually explain how Star Wars Borg is the ultimate utopia and the reality of joining with others is giving up rights and liberty oops, its not. The "socialized" group in a representative republic at "the laws of nature and of nature's God" (Declaration of Independence) is simply individual sovereigns enjoying, respecting and relating to each other's inalienable rights, liberty and natural law expressions.

     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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     -- jim k, Austin      
     -- Robert Edwards, Somewhere in the USA      
    Well, I thought thumbs down was a bit harsh... 
     -- Robert Edwards, Somewhere in the USA     
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    You've become less socialist in your old age, Robert,  ;-)  No worries, happens to the best of us.  Liberty is still the best.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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