Is socialism compatible with the United States Constitution? - Quora

Capt Gregory Prickett - I reject the premise that a military pension is socialism. The United States government and I entered into business agreement. The government desired my services and offered a compensation program, which included deferred payment and benefits. I agreed to that agreement. The government agreed to that agreement. How is that socialism?

I also reject that Jesus proposed a socialist system. Please provide the citation where Jesus does so. Just to save you some time and effort I offer the following link.

The cliff notes version:

So in order to show that Acts 2-5 teaches socialism, you would have to show that Acts 2-5 teaches that:

_All believers in Jerusalem sold all their possessions and put them in a communal pot which was then controlled by the state (the distinctive mark of socialism);
_Private property rights (upheld through the rest of Scripture) were abolished by this passage;
_The voluntary giving demonstrated by individuals in this passage gives the state the right to coerce people to give up their property (socialism);
_The pattern shown here was not temporary but permanent. It was the rule in the rest of the New Testament;
_That you can get “ought” out of “is,” the imperative from the indicative, a necessary mandate from a historical example;
_There is clear teaching that entails government ownership of the means of production, coercive taxation and wealth redistribution (socialism) in the rest of Scripture.

Wise teachers have maintained that it is not good to base an important doctrine on a single passage of Scripture. But if you do so, surely in that passage the doctrine should be taught. Not only is socialism not taught in Acts 2-5, it is impossible (without meeting the above conditions) to show that it does so.

https://tifwe.org/resource/does-acts-2-5-teach-socialism/

Capt Gregory Prickett - Is social security a social welfare spending program? I believe so. Therefore it was included in my comments. Will I accept my social security check? yes I will. Is Social Security socialism? I believe so. If I ran such a system privately I would be jailed for an illegal Ponzi scheme.

If I had been given the option, I would have not participated in social security. Unlike military service, with Social Security, I was not given the choice. Since I was forced to participate, I see no reason why I should handicap myself economically relative to others.
I doubt that Social Security will continue until my death, without serious tinkering. If my refusal to accept my checks would tip the balance of weaning the public off of social Security, I would. I have never depended on a government financial promise to provide for the future of myself or my family. My position on Social Security is analogous to my position on the designated hitter rule. I don't support it, but if I disadvantage my team to make a point, the franchise owner would be negligent if he didn't can my ass.

I notice you did not address my counter point to your assertion that a military pension is socialism.

This is a very nice list of Bible verses, but you have made my point, not yours. Tell me in which of these verses Jesus says the burden is not the individual and is the burden of the state. Charity mandated by the police powers of the state is not charity, nor an act of Christian love. Compliance with State mandated charity is self-serving and act in one's own self interest/self-preservation.

PS I thought you were an Atheist? I thought the secular moral compass was superior?
I am not the one who brought theology into the discussion, nor do I need it to support my assertions. Are you having difficulty supporting your position with secular arguments?

Capt Gregory Prickett - Every time an enlisted man is re-enlists prior to the 20 year mark, the government validates the value of the agreement. Every time an officer is not passed over twice prior to the 20 year mark, the government validates the value of the agreement. The simple fact is that the government has determined this is what is necessary to be competitive in the labor market. Please show me some academically or publicly recognized definition of socialism that defines market driven, competitive labor practices are socialist by nature.

This post framed in the context of the US Constitution, therefore my answer was framed in that context. If you insist that every act of charity and compassion is socialism, regardless of how the benefactor feels about the concept of socialism. Then, yes you win the discussion. But it leaves open to me the argument to insist that very act of charity and compassion is Applied Christianity, regardless of how the benefactor feels about Christianity.

I was not aware that you have investigated my finances and community service and can speak with authority about what I personally do or do not do. Are you stalking me? ;)

Capt Gregory Prickett - How can I possibly argue with the superior logic of your last assertion?