It's just about impossible to figure out what a socialist really is. The vast majority of Union people (capitalists to the extreme), generally vote for the Socialist. Has anyone figured that one out?
Socialism might be described as individuals working together as a group for the benefit of the group. Unions are a socialist concept because of collective bargaining for pay, rights, pension plans, health and dental care... When people everyone acts in unison, they have more power than if they acted as an individual. One person going on strike can be ignored and replaced. An entire union on strike is far more difficult to ignore.
It is all about sharing the wealth. 2% of the planet owns 80% of the wealth. Union workers want a piece of the pie. Why is that such a bad thing? Of course, the union leadership has become so much like the corporate leadership it is hard to tell them apart. I think union workers are getting shafted from both ends.
Jesus, on the other hand railed against the status quo, political and religious. He was a rebel and an anarchist. But like everything else, his message was subverted by those in control to suit their own ends. So called Christianity bares no resemblance to the original teachings. It has become a political tool for the control of the masses.
There are at least two forces at work here. The owners of wealth, use their wealth to create wealth... but they don't actually do the work. Workers don't own the wealth, but they labor to create wealth in exchange for a share of the wealth. The owners would like to maximize their profits. The workers want a greater share of the wealth they produce. Unions empower the workers. Unfortunately Union executives can become self serving and control the workers for personal benefit, sometimes in collusion with the owners.
Jesus was a rebel or a revolutionary, but he was hardly an anarchist. He upset the status quo to cause change. Some degree of anarchy can be expected during any revolution, even if that's not the revolution's objective. Jesus encouraged people to share their wealth through charity. He encourage to strong to help the weak. These are socialist ideas.
The recent events in Egypt are a good example of how revolution can create anarchy, even though its not the objective. People working together as a group to overthrow their corrupt leaders, for the benefit of the majority is an example of socialism.
If think you oppose socialism in all cases and that its evil, then you must oppose these examples of government social programs:
Public Education System (Grades 1-12, university to some degree, but not capitalistic private schools for profit)
Highways (paid by taxes rather than the capitalist toll system)
Public Health Care (not including for profit hospitals and clinics)
Unemployment Insurance
Welfare and support for people with low incomes
Car insurance in Manitoba (far cheaper than other provinces and the profit goes to the Manitoba government reducing taxes)
Canadian Pension Plan and Old Age Security (young people paying for a benefit they will see if they live long enough)
Environmental Protection Act (protects the environment for everyone benefit, capitalism would allow industry to maximize profits)
The Criminal Justice System (paid by tax dollars for the benefit of society)
Basically all government programs funded by taxes for the benefit of the people are examples of socialism.
An important concept that some extreme socialists don't understand is the importance of encouraging wealth creation. In order for wealth to distributed, it has to be created first. Capitalism is the best system for wealth creation, to a point.
An important concept that some extreme capitalists don't understand is that some degree of socialism is required to create wealth efficiently. Extreme capitalism would result in an uneducated workforce, sick people and a polluted environment.
The Chinese government understood that balance is essential. When Hong Kong returned to Chinese control, they wisely left Hong Kong's capitalistic system intact. They could have seized all Hong Kong's wealth, but they didn't because, it doesn't make sense to cook a goose that lays golden eggs. Sure you'd get one big meal, but you'd soon be hungry. Better to protect the goose and allow it to keep laying golden eggs... Hong Kong and the Autonomous Zones which dot China's coast modeled after Hong Kong show the Chinese government understands the importance of balancing socialism and capitalism to create long term wealth and growth. The recent collapse of major banks in the US are an example of what happens when the balance shifts too far towards capitalism. The collapse of the USSR shows what happens when the balance shifts too far toward socialism.
