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I'd even replace communism with socialism. Since it's also vilified in the US, but it's a broader term which is, to me, more relevant nowadays.
What do you mean? Socialism is generally just the process of building Communism.
There exists socialist theory outside of marxism-leninism
Yes, there does, but the idea of a Socialism that would not eventually work itself towards Communism is silly, that assumes a stagnant system that cannot advance.
Well I'd say communism is a type of socialism, where the latter is the ideal to strive for a better society for everyone, to intervene to help those who cannot help themselves. Communism tries to achieve this goal by making the means of production into communal ownership. With the State enforcing strict wealth equality. But it's still socialism with economic inequality at the beginning but fair and strong wealth redistribution in the end: equity.
This isn't really accurate. Socialism is the domination of the proletariat over the bourgeoisie, ie worker ownership of the Means of Production, and the path towards Communism, an eventual stateless, classless, moneyless society.
Are you familiar with Communist theory? Equity isn't the goal, fulfilling everyone's needs is.
I consider myself a socialist/leftist and my primary concern right now is not to dominate the bourgeoisie. It's mainly to get them to stop tax evasion so we can fund our public schools and hospitals. And if they could stop voting for candidates who are in coalition with the far right that'd be nice too!
That's Social Democracy, ie what the Nordic Countries are, not Socialism and not Leftism.
Oh boy I'm no social democrat. A radical socialist if you prefer. You can have radical ideas like ending capitalism or taxing inheritance to 100% while still being for democracy and not being a revolutionary.
All of the policies you described were those of Social Democrats, though. Additionally, Revolutionary Socialists are still for Democracy, just not bourgeois democracy, which makes Socialism impossible.