Republicans call everything they don't like 'socialism' -- #3

[JHB]

I'm not a socialist, but I get called one anyway -- by Republicans. The same is true for nearly all of you.

They call everything that puts checks and balances on the power and abuses of wealth 'socialism'. But checks and balances are not 'socialist', they're as American as apple pie.

They do it to cause a stampede, to get people running the way the want. The boy who cried wolf, the elephant who cried 'socialism'.

Don't get bogged down splitting hairs over definitions. No matter what we do they're going to call us that. Don't hem and haw and duck and weave. Deny their very premise.

Face it head on and swat it down. Every day, all the time.

Or they'll just keep doing it.

[beachbum bob]

1. the love socialism that bails out big business though

[watoos]

2. Every one of our Democratic candidates,

is going to be called a Socialist. That's the narrative, get ready to watch cable news anchors push it.

[JHB]

4. That's why I've started posting on this topic every day.

Get out ahead of it. Go on the attack. Accuse them.

Repeat it like a mantra so it's familiar, so that it has the chance to stick when they fling the word around.

[Bengus81]

3. Police and Fire dept are socialism. Tell your Republican buddies next time the house is on fire

or they need a cop not to use a GASP socialist system like Fire and Police. Tell them to call a CEO for help.

In many or most cities your tax $$$ go to maintain public golf courses. If you don't golf you still PAY. How many of those Republican asshats that hate Guberment and socialism hit the links when the weather is nice. The alternative is a TRUMP Country club that 99% of his bone head voters could NEVER afford. So they use socialism to golf.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

9. Police and fire are NOT socialism.

Socialism is the elimination of private ownership of the means of production and distribution.

[ck4829]

10. "Socialism" is now decency and compassion

[Scubamatt]

5. But . . .

socialism = Russia, right? And Russia and Putin are now are biggest, bestest buddies, right? (sarcasm). Seriously, I would love to have someone explain to me how the Republicans have been able to get their brainwashed followers to accept Russia as our “friends” - while demonizing every American institution - despite how many years of “Russia/commies are bad” messaging. How they pulled this switch off, I’ll never understand.

[JHB]

6. Getting marching orders straght from the Kremlin is a Republican gig now.

[Zambero]

7. I always reply back: "What's your definition of socialism?"

If it means disparaging popular programs such as Medicare, Social Security, or ACA protections for those with pre-existing conditions, then their definition is bogus. If they would decry a government taking over the means of production, then they would be on more solid ground, but that classic definition doesn't quite fit the propaganda pitch. I also bring up examples of corporate socialism such as subsidizing professional sports enterprises with taxpayer-funded stadium venues that enable owners to foot the bill for multi-million dollar player salaries. Yes, govt-sponsored welfare is not just for the poor.

[ProfessorPlum]

8. Call it "civilization" instead of socialism

it's all of us paying for things that we all need

[ck4829]

11. K&R