Do you consider yourself a Socialist?

[JA]

Interestingly, the older I get the more truly Socialist I become. Perhaps it's due to better understanding of Socialist political theory due to greater maturity, more life experiences, or both. I had enjoyed reading Socialist work, but would always fall back on being a Liberal; now, I simply don't even like (American/Social) Liberalism anymore or even the Democratic Party. I'd only bother to vote for a Democrat openly aligned with Bernie, otherwise I'd stay home or vote third party. And even Bernie is merely a Social Democrat like the European Social Democratic parties claim to be (prior to having adopted third way politics of deregulations, rolling back labor laws, and becoming technocratic representatives of elite global interests).

So, yes, I am a Socialist and proud to be one. I use the Green avatar rather than Socialist one because I tend to align more with far-left Green parties throughout the Western world than the current Socialist parties, since they've proven to be more progressive and socialist in most instances. Ideologically, I'd say I'm closest to being an Eco-Socialist, although some Socialists argue such a political position is unnecessary as true Democratic Socialism is already environmentalist.

[JA]

Oh, who am I kidding.

Yes, I'm a Socialist. Capitalism is a failed economic system premised on bankrupt moral premises, and sooner or later it will have to give way to a system that does a less utterly dreadful job at providing each and every member of society with the means to lead a fulfilling and prosperous life. Values like "competition" and "entrepreneurship" are barbaric relics of our basest animal instincts, and as long as they haven't been utterly crushed and destroyed humanity has no right to call itself civilized. Workers should be in control of their own destiny, and not at the mercy of a parasitic class of rent-seekers. Property is not a right, it's a privilege that the existing State structures grant far more liberally than they should. Being well-fed, well-clothed, healthy, housed in decent living conditions, and valued personally as a human being, meanwhile, are sacred, absolute and unconditional rights that said States keep making a mockery of. Owning more than a certain amount is a moral and social evil that should not be tolerated.

My beliefs exactly.