Misunderstanding?

Every now and again, it dawns on me how mixed up some people can get on what would appear to be simple and self evident aspects of economics. Especially with definitions. Things like "capitalism," "socialism," and "communism" have been detached from their real meanings. So many people I talk to and read have this odd (to me) idea that capitalism is the same as exploiting workers, and that giving aid to the needy is something that will only happen through intervention. I am writing a term research paper for one of my classes on how capitalism and Christianity can be compatible, and I have done my best to be very clear in my definitions from the start, to show that correctly defined capitalism (i.e. free market, private property) is compatible with Christian teaching. Writing that has really opened my eyes to how far more educated writers than I are confusing state intervention with charity, and private property ownership with the exploitation of laborers.

How did all this confusion and misunderstanding start? When did a person's belief that what is his is his and that he ought to be free to act as he chooses become an assumption by the world that he is a greedy pig? What happened? Maybe another day I'll address that... in the meantime...

http://www.lewrockwell.com/rockwell/triumph-of-socialism134.html