Most Americans wouldn't know socialism if:

[applegrove]

— Dale Ryder (@kryton3298.bsky.social) 2025-08-10T15:01:45.653Z

[Oopsie Daisy]

1. Social Security is an insurance program...

Social Security is an insurance program, not an overthrow of capitalism: The core function of Social Security is as a social insurance program against the loss of earnings due to retirement, disability, or death. It operates within a largely capitalist framework, funded by contributions from workers and employers, and doesn't advocate for the abolition of private property or the collectivization of the means of production – hallmarks of a fully socialist economy.

Social Security is based on the theory of "social solidarity" as opposed to the class struggle emphasis of Marxian socialism.

Social Security is a social insurance program within a capitalist system, aiming to address market failures and ensure a basic level of economic security. While it shares some superficial similarities with socialist approaches to social welfare and government intervention, it does not aim to replace the capitalist system itself with a socialist economy.

[applegrove]

2. Point is the USA is a mixed market like most other countries.

[Oopsie Daisy]

3. Oh. Was THAT the point?

I've heard that quote, meme, and other similar things said in support of actual Socialism, or with the suggestion that people fear actual Socialism for unjustified reasons... because "Social Security is socialism" and "having a police and fire department is socialism" and "public schools are socialism". Honestly, the meme you shared fits perfectly with all the other "socialism is good" memes.

[applegrove]

4. Where markets fail, social programs can fix the situation. The GOP

call that socialism. I personally think it is liberalism. But I'm from Canada. Notice how the GOP took the word liberalism out of Americans vocabulary. Why? Because it is about freedom of people and markets and governments to do the best for people. I'm sorry but the government stepped in and stabilized funding for retirement.

[Oopsie Daisy]

5. Okay.

[The Wizard]

7. Liberal and liberty come from the same root.

[The Wizard]

6. All government jobs

are a form of socialism.

[Incanus]

8. Most Americans are too ignorant to understand there are different types of socialism.

Others know this and deliberately try to spread disinformation and fear monger, the 1950s wants its Red Scare back.

[GreenWave]

9. And does better than my retirement "income" at the job.

[alittlelark]

10. Our largest socialistic spending is the military.

I have said that to a few ppl whose jaws dropped once they really realized it.