As I've been at pains to stress many times before, you and people like you, misunderstand the meaning of socialism in the Marxist-Leninist sense. Hence you are unaware that socialism is first and foremost "the self-emancipation of the working class." The misrepresentation of Marx is is a trap that the majority of American's appear to fall into. Mao's and Stalin's totalitarian regimes are no more representative of democratic socialism in the Marxist-Leninist sense than America is representative of a democracy in terms of outcome. Now, don't get me started on Cuba and Castro who you equally mis-represent. Publius you really are embarrassing yourself and I really suggest you actually read Marx before pontificating on you what are gross misconceptions and prejudices.