Quote from TGregg:
As much as I hate to agree with Ricter, he is correct. Most families do indeed function on some sort of socialist pivot. Examine for instance the farming family of old. The man and as many of the youngest as could farmed the land, while the women and assorted helpers did the rest of the chores. If one was ill, others pitched in to carry the load - it was socialism in the purest form.
It's a wonderful thing, make no mistake. One works when one can, and others care for one when one is unable to work. One person is extra-smart and makes enough to bring home a big turkey, nice!
For a family, or other small group, socialism works, and works well. Make no mistake. But what about larger groups? How happy are you that Joe Fat Phuck across the river is too large to do any work? Are you happy to support him?
And imagine that you work extra hard to acquire some rare skill, or even say you plain studied yer butt off - should you share your earnings with your lazy cousin Earnest who's drunk a corn silo of whiskey?
Do you understand that capitalism says that rewards go to those that earn them?
