Don’t buy GOP’s view of socialism

It pains me to see The Baltimore Sun use such a draconian, extreme and misleading definition of “socialism” (“Ben Jealous isn’t a socialist, but he’s sure touchy about being called one,” Aug. 13).

Being a socialist and promoting socialist programs do not require belief in collective ownership of wealth and the means of production (which is more akin to communism). This misconception is why the term is so scary for many Americans, and now The Sun has helped perpetuate it.

The United States has had various levels of socialism for well over a century, and, while they would vehemently deny it, most Americans are socialists. Social Security, progressive taxation, Medicare and public assistance are all examples of socialism that can and do exist within our capitalist system — without any collective ownership. They are intended to provide a fairer distribution of wealth and income, not to replace private ownership.

If our society still seeks constructive discussion of fundamental political and economic issues (which I doubt), weighty terms like “socialist” must be used accurately and properly understood. Unfortunately, the Republican Governors Association has used it for name-calling, and The Sun has taken the bait by agreeing it’s a terrible word and by reinforcing the RGA’s misleading definition. Please, your editors can and must do better.