The 'Socialism' Canard

One of the enduring mysteries in Northwest Florida is why so many active and retired military veterans respond so fervently whenever some pol accuses another pol of having "socialist" ideas.
Just the other day, we witnessed a retired Navy officer of no particular distinction begin foaming at the mouth the moment he launched into his claim that Barack Obama's economic plan to let the notorious Bush tax cuts of 2001 expire was "socialistic."

There are few walks of life in America more "socialistic" than the military life that Navy officer has led. In the military, the federal government pays for nearly everything:

• Government-subsidized housing
  
• food
• transportation
  
• health care for the entire family
  
• education
• all job costs
  
• PX consumer goods, and even
  
• one of the last "defined-benefit" pension plans in the land.

To each according to his need, from all of us regardless of ability. Johns Hopkins professor Hillary Bok ("Hilzoy") makes something of the same point today, in a snarky way, with her article "Socialism Is Everywhere."

Mystery solved: The other guy's economic plan always is "socialistic" and "redistributive." My guy's economic plan merely rewards those who "need help" or "deserve" it.