> Asked for comment on this article, Mr. Brin said in a rare statement: “I fled socialism with my family in 1979 and know the devastating, oppressive society it created in the Soviet Union. I don’t want California to end up in the same place.”

He must be confusing socialism and communism. Presumably not a mistake. But embarrassing nonetheless. I suppose the gullible among us may be convinced

You can read that quote as "I fled totalitarianism with my family in 1979 and I know the massive benefits it brings for those of us at the top".

Suddenly paying taxes is socialism.

"Communist authoritarianism is when small wealth tax on billionaires."