Many Americans are under the false assumption that “Socialism'” is a bad thing, and that it is the same thing as the former Soviet Union, or Castro’s Cuba, or Communist China, or Communist North Korea.

This is pure ignorance, and instead, one should look to the many democracies in Europe, who have “socialist” aspects of their political and economic systems.

But even beyond that, think about what it would be like if we did not have “socialism” in our political and economic system.

How would we like to do without the following:

1, Social Security

2. Medicare and Medicaid

3. The Post Office

4. Public Schools and Colleges and Universities

5. Libraries

6. Water Treatment Systems

7. Recreational Centers, including Gyms, Parks, Beaches

8. National Parks

9. Public Transit Systems, Trains, Subways, Buses

10.Police, Firefighters, Sanitation Services, Public Hospitals

11.Military Services and Protection

12.Labor Protections

13.Food and Drug Regulations

14.Environmental Protections

15.Financial Institutions Regulations

16.Transportation Safety Regulations

17.Housing Regulations

18.Energy Regulations

19.Military Veterans Protections

20.Homeland Security Protections

If one believes that all of the above should be privatized, as some conservatives and Republicans advocate, then we have a basic misunderstanding of what the best government is: a mixed socialist and capitalistic system in the public interest, instead of a business atmosphere which puts profits and business techniques above human beings and their welfare! Quality and cost efficiency require a combination of capitalism with socialism!