About "socialism"?... Is there evidence of it here in the U.S.A.?

[Sparkly]

63. I think as soon as we mention liberty and justice for all...

or equal protection under the law, or civil rights and liberties, we're talking about the "state" having an interest in the "public good." It could be argued that's "socialistic."

I think it is, and I think it's great. It's what it means to be part of a community (oooh- community sounds like communism). It's about being fellow citizens united, in it together, working for each other and for shared values.

The names and symbols take on meanings and trigger ideas they shouldn't, but once they do, they do. "Communism" and "Socialism" as philosophies aren't scary or evil -- but what the words have come to represent, tied to totalitarian dictators, is. Nevermind that this autocracy is the rightwing's playbook, and the antithesis of democracy.

One more example. When I was a kid, we said the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag every morning and sang a patriotic song. The school had a big Flag Day celebration at the end of the year, emphasizing what it symbolizes -- our unity, equality, values, citizenship, concern for each other. Some could call that socialist indoctrination these days. Others might say the right wing now owns it all as slogans. Right now, I am still all for it.

If there ever comes a day when the American flag stands for Trump, I hope we'll change the flag along with its meaning.

If there ever comes a time when the word "legal asylum" means "family separation," I hop we make it illegal and create a new name for accepting refugees.

In other words, the main tenets of socialism are good, but if the word has come to stand for something that isn't, shift.