Reply #25: We need to redefine socialism for the American public [View All]

Like so many other words, the Republicans have taken socialism and altered it for their own purposes, then used it as a club to beat the left with. I don't think it would take too much to redefine socialism for the American public.

First, point out the way conservatives regularly approve "socialist" policies when it comes to corporations and the wealthy rather than to the general public. Corporate bailouts, subsidies, tax breaks, etc. amount to public funding of private corporations. This is an oversimplification, but one which gets to the heart of the hypocrisy and one which middle America can appreciate.

Second, distinguish between luxuries and necessities. The Republicans love to pretend that socialism is all or nothing: if you don't stop the socialists, they'll see to it that everyone is driving the same kind of car, wearing the same kind of clothes, watching the same brand of VCR, and living in the same kind of house. But we can define a bare minimum that we guarantee to every citizen without denying those with money the right to buy something more. Reliable health care, affordable housing, and quality education are basic needs that we as a society should guarantee to all citizens. And that would prevent no one from paying more for a nicer house, better things,

The Republicans are NOT libertarians; they don't hate all public spending. They just want to control where the money goes and pretend it's all in the name of good fiscal planning. What we need to do is call attention to the money spent for the good of corporations and that spent for the good of the people.