[BaltimoreSkins]

I would say Europeans have it right but that is just me. In America it has been ingrained that socialism is counter to American ideals and therefore negative and detrimental. The cases that are generally pointed are extremes. To me socialism is the redistribution of wealth. Preferably in an equitable way, in order to ensure everyone's basic needs are met. We already have some semblance of what I consider socialism say when we take money from all US taxpayers and redistribute it to keep banks afloat in 2007 for example. We also use it for entitlements which also has a negative connotation in the United States. I also do not think socialism does a way with the constructs of capitalism they can work hand in hand to drive the economy and provide basic necessities. We have several government institutions that are socialist by nature in my view, U.S. military, fire, police, education.

As an aside to what Sunnyside was saying with medicine. I do believe basic healthcare should be covered and a right. It drives me nuts that people have to decide do I have cancer treatment and take out a second mortgage or do I hope for the best, but that is a road we need to work on in the US to make it work properly. I know being a military brat military hospitals were more about efficiency and less about patient rights and comfort. Anecdotally I remember being lined up with ten kids in the same room for vaccinations for school and the doctor just going down the line. Obviously crying building to a crescendo with each new kid receiving a shot. My dad and I were at the commissary grocery shopping when a man came over to say high. He was on the operating table next to my dad when they were both getting vasectomies. Just like the vaccine shots. The surgeon had five operating tables and five patients and was working down the line. These are stories from the early 80s so obviously things can change but I find them amusing stories nonetheless.