> One unexpected advantage of socialism is that the worse the socialists do, the more the populace will go for socialism

anon user #3 wrote:

According to you guys the  US has basically been a "Socialist" country since Social Security and perhaps even before that.

While the United States operates a capitalist mixed economy, it funds and administers numerous public services and safety-net programs that feature characteristics of socialized or collective provision:

Education and Libraries

• Public K-12 Schools: Tax-funded, government-run institutions that provide universal and free education to all children regardless of family income.
• Public Libraries: Locally and state-funded community resources offering free access to books, media, and internet services.
• Public Universities and Community Colleges: State-supported higher education institutions subsidized by taxpayers to lower tuition costs.

Healthcare and Welfare

• Veterans Health Administration (VA): A true form of socialized medicine where the federal government owns the hospitals, employs the medical staff, and directly funds veteran care.
• Medicare: A federal, single-payer health insurance program for individuals aged 65 and older as well as certain younger people with disabilities.
• Medicaid: A joint federal-state program that provides tax-funded health coverage for low-income individuals and families.
• Social Security: A mandatory, payroll-funded federal program that distributes retirement, survivor, and disability benefits.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) & WIC: Government-funded nutrition and food assistance programs for low-income households.
• Unemployment Insurance: A joint state-federal program that provides temporary financial support to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

Infrastructure and Public Services

• The U.S. Postal Service (USPS): A government-owned corporate entity providing universal mail and parcel delivery across the country, including to unprofitable rural routes.
• Public Transit and Roads: Tax-funded highways, bridges, public buses, and subway systems built and maintained for public use.
• Public Utilities: Municipal- or state-owned electricity, water, and waste management systems.

Public Safety and Defense

• Police, EMS and Fire Departments: Tax-funded municipal or local services providing universal protection rather than fee-for-service security.
• The U.S. Military: A federally funded national defense structure that provides service members with housing, healthcare, and pensions.

anon user #3 wrote:

These people think giving a seven year old a free lunch at school is "Socialism."  They are clowns.

Schools need to teach civics, and everyone needs to learn what taxes are supposed to be used for.

Maybe one less ballroom and a little more free lunches.