(That motivates them to work long hours if they want to receive more.)

Some well known theorist on socialism might argue that is incorrect. One of the benefits to a fair means of production is towards not over working the worker. More time with and building a family, properly. While also being able to afford the products of society and live somewhat modestly throughout a life span. Competition, greed, and status towards riches unnecessary.

(Everyone works at what one is best at and what one enjoys. If society needs jobs to be done that no one wants, it offers higher compensation to make it worthwhile.)

This one kind of pulls a nerve of mine also. While I'm going on a worldwide scale, our situation at the border may answer this one. We have people who want to do the work but are being terrorized in so wanting to get here to do it. OR, as they are here doing it. Some prevented from going back and forth to be with their families.

On another note. Jobs involving higher education. In some of the European countries as students reach a certain grade level they begin litmus evaluations to determine if a student has signs of advancing into higher education. In which steps can be taken to start preparing that stage at an earlier time. Highly expanding job fulfillment in many areas we here in the US have a hard time filling. I might also argue that would vastly cut the rate of youth drug use here. If one is prepared for a slightly more successful career earlier in life and occupied with a self interest of deep emotion, would this not be a benefit to society?

Disadvantages? Competition? That is a primal nature to some. Work it out in the work force. Join a dam sport. I think most would find themselves more comfortable in a socialized society after some time. The whole process of being a democratic socialist society is the ability to vote out politicians who want to rock the boat. Take a look down south of us and over at Europe. People actually have the balls in these places to go out and protest. Or Venezuela where they are out in giant assembly to support their president. Yesterdays opposition protest were a mere few hundred and dying off quickly. Where Maduro supporters fill the streets. South of us they are protesting right wing fascist governments, as in Europe, both protesting moves towards austerity.

Quite an interesting article. And well put together. Everyone has their own opinion on socialism, some due to false rhetoric and and lack of information. But I think the bottom line is most of us want basically close to the same type of society. We just need to get over the hump that illusion has many trapped in.