There are three kinds of socialism: National Socialism, (Naziism) which built Auschwitz; Economic Socialism, where all capital (means of production, factories and manufacturing) is owned by the state; and Democratic Socialism, where the government uses a portion of its tax revenue to serve the common good. This is where nationalized health care and mandatory maternity and family leave come from in northern European countries.

It's also a distinctly American concept, as embodied by the general welfare clause of the constitution. It's where roads, streetlights, and fire and police departments come from. And also food stamps and a hundred other things. We take some money from everyone to do good things for everyone.

People like Bernie, AOC, Elizabeth Warren, and Tim Walz are Democratic Socialists. I'm sure Bernie knows the term and would agree. Not sure about Tim, though his description fits.

Republicans like to treat all three kinds of socialism as if they were the same. They say, "Oh my gourds, you're a ¡Socialist!? Do you want to kill people, or steal businesses from hard-working Americans?" They don't care about the truth. They care about using an intentional misunderstanding as a way to slander their opponents.

Tim wants to keep the street lights on, and build roads, bridges, and schools. Maybe some health care and college debt relief too, though each socialist draws the line at a slightly different place.

Hurricane relief is democratic socialism too. So Republicans are against it, until it happens to them.

Tim is a (democratic) socialist. I am too.