Have I misunderstood socialism?

[Dotard]

First to post in an Tiberius thread! Yay!

Encouraged by padraic's latest thread about possible misunderstandings about Libertarianism, I have created one about possible misunderstandings of socialism. Often I feel as if I am continually having to explain Libertarian positions, yet none of the socialists explain theirs in the same way.

So, without further ado:

These are only my opinions and may not "tow the party line".

If I were king of the socialist state:

1) How does one judge the value of a commercially made product under socialism?

Same as it is now. By demand.

2) How does one judge the value of a specific job under socialism (i.e. how are wages distributed?)

Same as it is now. Tiers. Menial / skilled / educated

3) How would welfare deal with people who refuse to work?

Same as it is now. Folks have a set limit to draw benifits. Once the limit is reached you're shit-outta-luck.

4) What reasons would you use to argue for the fairness of progressive tax systems against flat rate tax? In other words, why is it fairer for the people who earn more to have to pay a larger proportion of their earnings?

I wouldn't. I support a flat tax.

5) By what reasoning do you set the progressive tax brackets? (i.e. how do you work out the income limit of each tax bracket?)

See above.

6) How would you deal with inflation? By what standard is currency set?

Dunno. Hire some economic mathematicians to figure that all out? I'd hire Tiberius to head up that department but he'd probably be constantly whining I'm oppressing him so scratch that name off the list.

7) Why isn't the minimum wage set to $20, or $100? What standard sets the minimum wage?

Cost of living index. I'd still need to hire Adrian to do the maths. Damnit, I guess I'll just put up with the whining of oppression as long as he does his job. Damnit.

8) Do you support affirmative action?

No.

.....(can) you see the unfairness in a system that favours select groups of people, and the irony that this is what affirmative action wants to remove?

Yes.

That's all for now

Ok, Thanks. Stop by anytime.