I believe that you only qualify to comment on the systems under which you've lived and earned or gained first-hand knowledge and which you've taken the time and effort to know. Writing socialism off with the wave of your wand, immediately places you geographically.
Stating that seniority equals socialism and merit equals capitalism is not only short-sighted, but also serves to undermine the roots of your "new-found" civilian fliying existance. It also proliferates the notion that "democracy at any cost" is better than socialism at no cost.