Really, it does come down to how we define "socialism." If it includes countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark I don't see how it can be said to be a failure everywhere. If it only refers to countries with completely state-run economies, I would agree that it has failed in all those countries.

For me, the difference is the existence of democracy vs. totalitarianism. I think the political process more than the economic system ruined those 'Marxist' nations.

I am not a socialist. My preferred economic model--which I know you don't like--makes the economy self-regulating, with no taxes or redistribution. Even someone who doesn't like it--or thinks it can't work--can't reasonably call a system like that "socialism." Still, I do think what they have in Norway, etc. is better than what we have in the U.S.