Quotes from Rand

Earlier Steve supplied the following quotes from Ayn Rand:

There is no difference between communism and socialism, except in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism proposes to enslave men by force, socialism - by vote. It is merely the difference between murder and suicide.

The essential characteristic of socialism is the denial of individual property rights; under socialism, the right to property (which is the right of use and disposal) is vested in 'society as a whole,' i.e., in the collective, with production and distribution controlled by the state, i.e., by the government. Socialism may be established by force, as in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - or by vote, as in Nazi (National Socialist) Germany. The degree of socialization may be total, as in Russia - or partial, as in England. Theoretically, the differences are superficial; practically, they are only a matter of time. The basic principle, in all cases, is the same.

In reading quotations, I often find it helpful to educate myself about the source. That helps me determine how much 'weight' someone's arguments can carry. For those unfamilar with Ayn Rand, I have provided a link above to information regarding her beliefs, values, and history.