The word “socialism” puzzles me. All my life I’ve heard what
a bad thing it is, and I agree it would be terrible for the government (federal,
state or civic) to own all things and employ all people. But it seems to me in
moderate amounts, it’s actually beneficial. I really like the fact I can call
the fire department if my house is burning, or the police department if there’s
a break-in. And when they come, they won’t send me a bill. Most public
infrastructure – bridges, roads, electricity, water and sewer systems – are owned
and operated by the government, and paid for by a combination of taxes and user
fees. Likewise most public transportation, like buses, subways and railways. Public
schools are socialist programs, as are public parks, prisons, Medicaid,
Medicare, SNAP, Social Security, FEMA, USPS and even the U.S. military. I
wouldn’t want to eliminate any of these. Does that make me a socialist?
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