OK, let's pursue that.   It appears that the Pilgrims did indeed try a bit of socialism.

Gov. Bradford had quite a bit to say about this idea, which he helped put into practice.

"The experience that was had in this commone course and condition, tried, sundry years and that amongst Godly and sober men, may well evince the vanitie of that conceite of Platos and other ancients, applauded by some of later times:   that the taking away of propertie and bringing in communitie into a comone wealth would make them happy and florishing: as if they were wiser than God.   For this communitie ( so farr as it was) was found to breed much confusion and discontente and retard much imployment that would have been to their benefite and comforte, For the young men that were most able and fitte for labour and service did repine that they should spend their time and streingth to worke for other mens wives and children, and that without any recompense."

To be continued