What's the Difference Between Socialists and Communists?

In a fascinating new column, George Jonas, provides a recent history of examples of socialism & communism in Europe. He ponders what the actual difference is between these two groups. Not much, it seems, other than that socialists offer a short window of opportunity for citizens to voluntarily comply with the same imposed measures.

Some say Europe is in trouble because the poor want to live as well as the rich. Close, but no cigar. If Europe’s in trouble, it isn’t because the poor want to live as well as the rich, but because some do. They live as well as the rich without having bothered to become rich first.A bad idea is for poor people to live as well as the rich while they’re still poor. Even living half as well is a bad idea unless they are, in fact, half as rich. It’s bad because it can’t be done. At least, it can be done only until somebody presents the bill, which is currently happening in Europe.