What is socialism?

Socialism is when the government controls the means, and the method, of production.

In essence, socialism is a “government factory.”

But let’s examine some things that could be claimed are “socialist.”

Money.

The coinage and currency in your pocket is made by the United States government upon government-owned machines – stamping mills, and presses, with government-owned metals, government-owned paper, and government-owned inks.

But it’s not socialist.

Why not?

Because EVERYTHING used to make the coinage and currency ALL comes from the Private Sector, via publicly bid contracts.

Yup.

Not socialist.

How about the military? Everything they use is owned by the Department of Defense, and/or the Department of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard (which is under the aegis of the Department of Homeland Security since 2003, formerly in Department of Commerce).

Every stitch of clothing, all medical equipment and medicines, all buildings, and literally everything – lock, stock, and barrel – is government-owned.

But it’s not socialist.

Why not?

For the same reason that money production isn’t socialist – everything used comes from the Private Sector via publicly bid contract.

Yup.

What about claims of socialism if Medicare is expanded – if we have “Medicare for all”?

Same principle.

The government does NOT own the doctor, the office s/he works from, nor the facilities in which they work, neither do they own the medicines prescribed and sold. The government is simply the payer, just like any insurance company pays the doctor, hospital, or pharmacy for the procedures performed, facilities used, and medications prescribed.

Everyone who has Medicare expresses satisfaction with it.

Bottom line?

There’s NO “government factory” in this country – never has been, never will be.

Government spending ALWAYS goes right back into the Private Sector.