> unless you consider that socialism = "social safety net measures", which it isn't I agree with you that socialism, properly understood, ought to mean somethi

> unless you consider that socialism = "social safety net measures", which it isn't I agree with you that socialism, properly understood, ought to mean something much broader than a social safety net. But not everyone sees it this way. In my experience, a lot of Americans really do equate social security and welfare as socialism. Or even public education, never mind anything remotely resembling universal healthcare. These people believe that taxation is theft and they're vocal about expressing it. This used to be fringe, but it's a major political movement. Young Americans have grown up in an environment where anything publicly beneficial is painted as "socialist" by one of the major political parties. Many of them have taken the message to heart.