Socialism or Capitalism?

I was involved in a great dialogue worth mentioning here. The discussion relates to politics and I was asked (more or less) if I lean toward socialist or capitalist ideals. This is a loaded question. It commands you to choose between opposing views and poses a fallacious argument that these ideals don’t or can’t co-exist.

My answer is that capitalism is a function of socialism, just like democracy is a function of the republic. The real question is about how we propose to enact these principles in an exercise of utility for all. How can we upgrade the political system of today? How do we go about reinstalling more appropriate institutions that provide for an equitably diverse abundance of opportunities benefitting society as a whole in a manner that is ethically proportioned and recyclable — and thus sustainable?