Nobody, not even Sen Sanders is proposing socialism for the United States and yet social media is rampant with claims that Social Security, Medicare, Medicare-for-All and virtually any social safety net program is socialism… they aren’t or even close. That is not what socialism is.
Here is a good explanation of socialism.
Socialism Explained
Sure, programs such as listed above are funded by taxes, they provide collective benefits. There are people who benefit greatly and others little or not at all. That is the nature of all insurance – collective risk.
High taxes? You bet, but that also may mean not worrying or far less worry about paying for healthcare or childcare, elder care, college or retirement.
And before we get a comment, some people are using other people’s money. I propose no society can exist without that happening.
Top 5 Happiest Countries (2025 Rankings)
1. Finland — Retains #1 for the eighth consecutive year (score around 7.7/10). Strong social support, trust, low corruption, and work-life balance contribute heavily.
2. Denmark — Consistently #2, with excellent welfare systems, equality, and high trust.
3. Iceland — High safety, natural beauty, community focus, and strong social networks.
4. Sweden — Strong in older adult happiness and social welfare.
5. Netherlands — Rounds out the top five, with high freedom and quality of life.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
“High taxes? You bet, but that also may mean not worrying or far less worry about paying for healthcare or childcare, elder care, college or retirement.”
NOPE! Higher taxes means I have less take home to set aside for the healthcare, child care, elder care, college or retirement I want.
If you are a net, net taxpayer, as I have been over the past 55+ years, it means that you will NEVER recover the value of your taxes – no matter how generous Congress gets when it goes out to buy votes. That’s because the systems to collect and spend money on administration are effectively leakage …
And, as been recently shoved in our face, like a pile of crap, our governments suck when it comes to fraud, waste and abuse.
So, thanks, but no thanks.
The only people who want to see more government are those who are receiving more than they pay in taxes, and that today, is 40% of all American households.
If you want to expand government largesse, first ensure EVERYONE is shouldering their fair share, the same proportion of their income or wealth or whatever. And second, ensure that the benefits received are proportional to the funding.
It is why so many Americans mistakenly believe that they funded their own Social Security benefits, as if it were some account in Baltimore. And, that is also why, because of Congressional lies that they “earned” the benefit, why any change to raise taxes or lower benefits is so difficult that it became known as the “3rd rail” of politics.
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Al Lindquist
as usual great points Jack–the countries highlighted are welfare states–in this country states, mostly blue, have welfare type spending and benefits and we see folks voting with their feet. Anyone say; “I’m staying in NJ– Illinois–CA because of those great benefits?
U-Haul released its annual report on migration and blue states lose population red states gain–blue cities lose and red cities gain. What message is being sent?
Maybe in ’28 the Dems nominate one of their many socialists–let’s see what happens.
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So I guess you won’t be moving to Finland anytime soon.
The view on taxes and going it alone and let me buy what I want with my money seems uniquely American. I don’t get that attitude from my European friends.
It would be nice if everyone was financially responsible and savvy and earned enough for all those expenses that aren’t adjusted for income level. But that is not the case and never will be.
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agree. But it is worse. Not only do I have to be responsible for myself and my family, but I am also called upon to shoulder costs of those who are not fiscally responsible.
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Me too- for about 65 years.
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we have family friends who are Finns, very proud- few if any want to come here. At the same time, the number of Americans who leave is very small – and when they do it may make headlines.i also have a niece, born in Philly, who left decades ago for Europe and she isn’t coming back.
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“Let me buy what I want with my money” isn’t the issue. I have no problem with that attitude.
The issue is people who want to buy what they want with YOUR money.
As I have repeatedly confirmed whenever we discuss health coverage, (too many) Americans want the best health care YOUR money will buy.
And, until Congress stops lying to Americans and promising to tax generations too young to vote and generations yet unborn to buy votes with entitlements, with spend we cannot afford, we are not going to solve our deficit, debt, “affordability” (whatever that means) and other national challenges.
Per (Herb) Stein’s Law: “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.”
Regarding “affordability“, I learned a new word today: “Neologism” – the process of creating new words or of giving an existing word another meaning.
Neologisms are uniquely English. The English words with the most meanings may be “set,” with 430+ definitions, and “run,” with 600+ definitions.
Through the LookingGlass:
“When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’
’The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’
’The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master — that’s all.”
See: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-affordability-setup-fae11751
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