I know exactly what Socialism is: Socialism is a political philosophy that says the collective is more important than the individuals who make it up, so individual freedom has to go. Socialism is also an economic theory based on State ownership of the means of production and distribution, with central planning of the economy. According to Karl Marx, Socialism is only a step on the way to true Communism: “To each according to his needs, from each according to his means.” The Socialist economic theory is completely debunked: after a Century of trial, it has never once worked, and has been responsible for the deaths of millions, and the suffering of billions. The only difference between a Democratic Socialist and any other variant of Socialist, is that a Democratic Socialist does not yet have absolute power, so works within a multi-party democratically elected government, rather than seizing power through Revolution. Democratic Socialism is the Diet Pepsi of Socialism, but don’t underestimate Bernie Sanders: he’s a Communist at heart, he just doesn’t have the power to do what he wants.

And yes, most people agree there would have been no violence at the General Lee protest had the Antifa counter-protest armed thugs not turned up and attacked. Don’t get me wrong: there would have been offensive things said, Pro-Confederate, possibly even racist things, but they would have been just words, from a tiny group who represent 0.1% of Americans. The proper response is to allow them their freedom of speech, and ignore them. They are dying out anyway.