Can you spot a socialist?

When asked directly, Jeb Bush answered "I don't know" if Obama is a socialist. "Define socialism for me," he asked his CNN interviewer.

It's odd that a leader from a party that uses the words "socialist" and "socialism" on a daily basis to describe the opposition can't tell a socialist when he sees one. Methinks Jeb lacks the courage of his convictions.

Indeed, I get e-mails all the time from conservatives claiming Obama is a closet socialist. They have no doubt whatsoever. And right-wing radio jocks and FOX bloviators use these two words on the air as often as "um" and "er," and almost as often as "Ronald Reagan."

Maybe we can teach Jeb (and ourselves) something today. Let's see how 3 of the most popular online dictionaries define socialism:

From Dictionary.com:

URL: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/socialism"1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.2. procedure or practice in accordance with this theory.3. (in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles."

From FreeDictionary.com

URL: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/socialism"1. Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.2. The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved."

From Merriam-Webster's online dictionary:

URL: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism"1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods2 a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done"

Clearly, all these definitions are in substantive agreement on what socialism is.

Now look at how Conservative-Resources.com defines socialism:

URL: http://www.conservative-resources.com/definition-of-socialism.html"[9] The definition of socialism, then, may be said to be a formal economic system in whichsociety exerts considerable control over the nation's wealth and property in the pursuit of social justice. "Considerable control" may or may not entail public ownership, while "social justice" usually depends upon the whims of a bureaucratic elite. Generally speaking, a market-based economy is antithetical to socialist principles, and some form of benevolent planning is advocated."[10] Of course, such a definition of socialism is exceedingly vague, but the pursuit of "fairness"—the ultimate goal of socialism—is necessarily vague, given that each of humanity's several billion individuals has a unique view of what 'fairness' entails." [Emphasis mine]

See what's happening here? Conservatives are distorting the definition of socialism to sound a lot like liberalism. (Since we all know conservatives don't give a toot about social justice or fairness.) Conservatives are claiming that any definition of socialism is "exceedingly vague," despite the fact that we have several examples of socialist economic systems in the former Soviet bloc to enlighten us, if we're in any doubt what a socialistic country actually looks like. In fact, try asking somebody who lived in one of these formerly socialist states if America, or the Democratic party, comes anywhere close to being socialist. You would probably get a confused/disbelieving stare in reply.

If you agree with Rush Limbaugh that "words mean things," and you are creeped out by Orwellian definition-creep, then educate yourself and don't abuse or misuse our English language. Don't call anybody to the left of Joe Lieberman a "socialist." You're only making your friends dumber, and yourself look stupid.