Why are Americans afraid of socialism?

[DRob4JC]

Originally Posted by Boompa

Are you saying the Military is Unamerican? Collective Defense
Are the Police Unamerican? Collective Security
How about Education?

Military, defense, police - these are not socialist entities. The government gets tax money to protect their constituents. There is no redistribution of wealth here. There is no goal of equality of outcome. This is simply a collective pool used to protect the population.

Having a policy that distributes a large portion of tax money to other private citizens for NO services rendered is socialism.

[GeorgeLucasLongLostChin]

Socialism works but is very hard to keep in check. Like Alexander F. Tytler said: "A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy"""

On the other hand, capitalism has its own aberrations.

We're always walking a very fine line.