Why are Americans scared of Socialism?

[ElMuertoMonkey]

Socialism? Why? It's been over two decades since the Berlin wall was struck down. Because a bunch of old people have the Cold War mentality instilled into their minds?? Once that generation dies off socialism won't be vilified nearly as much as it is now. Stupidity. We HAVE "Socialist" schools, roads, fire and police services, courts, library systems, public works and public utilities, etc.

They just don't know what "Marxist Socialism" means, and think it's a 'gateway' system to Joe Stalin's Russia. They moronically believe that safety net programs are "socialism"' programs which the vast majority of Americans insist on, and which the vast majority of THEM will rely on more and more as they age.

They overlook the essential services provided by the govt (which, by the way, the private sector can't or WON'T provide... and if they did, those services would be a LOT more expensive).

It makes no difference, in fact it's very far outside their intellectual capacity to understand. American's have been brainwashed into believing they live in some paradise of personal liberty. The reality is that we are the most closely observed, recorded, spied-upon and eavesdropped (by our own government) nation on earth. What's wrong with a system that would provide a decent life for senior citizens where they won't have to worry if they could ever afford to retire? Where they won't have to worry about sacrificing food for medicine, or vice versa?

Why is it so important to make sure the least fortunate suffer? It isn't a matter of more or less rights. It's a matter of decency. It's a cruel reality that those that actually work the hardest, the menial labor force, are least prepared to retire. But the white collar folk get to play golf and retire with nine figure golden parachutes. In that sense Capitalism isn't so pretty.
You pay taxes and they go to funding socialized programs, such as public education, medicare and social security, and even public libraries. Public option insurance is a norm in almost every developed nation and for half of the US to complain about that is quite simply ridiculous. Heathcare is, defined by Eleanor Roosevelt, the freedom FROM disease and injuries, and thankfully the government can provide that for us. There are no "fiscal and social realities" that limits the US from having a public option healthcare. Don't kid yourself: equality and fraternity of a nation is far more superior and important than personal liberty.

The truth is quite different. Would it surprise you to know that America already is a socialist nation? Entire community pays for the service of soldiers because the entire community benefits. Providing for the common defense is one of the oldest applications of socialism. Even in the pre-civilized era of humanity, everyone who could contribute to a community´s defense. Local fire departments, police forces, schools, libraries, highways, sewer systems… virtually every aspect of community living, all those things that make life in a modern civilized society possible, are all the result of socialism.
Would anyone rather die when they could live, knowing their sacrifice makes an already wealthy person even wealthier? Would you choose such a fate, in the name of capitalism? Would you condemn your child to die for a rich man´s greed? Is that patriotism?
Where capitalism supplies the motive and mechanism to grow and improve a society, socialism provides the foundation on which every society is built. Without socialism, every one of us would be entirely on our own.

So, really, the question is not "Is socialism wrong?" but "What´s wrong with socialism?" We already use it. We already depend on it. And, whether we know it or not, every one of us is already in favor of it. We are a socialist nation.

[Bob the terrorist]