> "Socialist" only means "like Venezuela or East Germany" when a Republican is saying it, not when people self-describe as socialist. Republicans have a weird

> "Socialist" only means "like Venezuela or East Germany" when a Republican is saying it, not when people self-describe as socialist. Republicans have a weird definition of socialism. They seem to conflate it with dictatorships. Super fucking hot take here, but the former president would be called a socialist by any Republican if he was the leader of any other country. He every hallmark trait of a dictator of a failed state: populist, authoritarian, self-serving, cult of personality, strong man, bribes supporters with state funds, uses police power to crush political opponents, etc, etc.