Are Nordic countries really socialist?

[NurseJackie]

3. I think many like to use that word for ...

Would we have more success electing officials and passing laws that expand the safety net if we didn't use the word "socialist?"

I think many like to use that word for vanity-purposes and other self-serving purposes. I also believe that there are many who prefer it for the "shock value" (so to speak) of it. There's a certain inflammatory aspect to it that says "hey everyone, look at me" with a subtle "I think I'm purer than you"message.

What I'm trying to say is that I agree with what the article says and the facts presented and how it helps to illustrate that the "socialist" label (as you note) widely misunderstood and misused. That's the danger of unfettered pride mixed with an incomplete understanding. The human mind just "fills in" the missing pieces of the picture (whether accurate or not) that help to create or complete the image of how they believe they should appear in a mirror, even if that's not the same image that everyone else actually sees.