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But only if it's called socialism. If it can be called something else, then it will be accepted. In my experience, US citizens (not all, obviously; I'm massive
by EliRivers 10y ago
But only if it's called socialism. If it can be called something else, then it will be accepted. In my experience, US citizens (not all, obviously; I'm massively generalising) have been conditioned to be against things labelled socialism, but the level of economic and political knowledge amongst the general public is such that if you don't call something socialism, it is judged on its own merits without people realising.
- CarolineW 10y agoOpponents will hang that label on it, and then it doesn't matter whether or not the general populace would recognise it. It's interesting that my comment is somehow controversial, because it's been down to -2, is now back to -1. I wonder whether they are objecting to my calling "universal healthcare funded by taxes on the general populace" socialism, or whether they are objecting to the claim that the USA populace would ever accept a socialist policy. Indeed, while I've been editing this comment it's gone back down to -2. Interesting to watch, and I really do wonder what it is that's provoking people into downvoting it. ... and now back to -1. Fascinating!
- woofyman 10y agoYou're absolutely correct. Conservatives will label it "socialized medicine".
- vacri 10y agoIronically, they're all up for small-scale socialism, aka 'insurance'.
- eeZah7Ux 10y agoThe US finances private research, technology development and more using public money more than any other country by calling it "military budged". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_... ...but maybe that doesn't count as "socialism" because most of the profits ends up in the hands of private companies?