Socialism has been part of the American tradition in politics for many years. There are different kinds. For example, Social Security is one. Regulatory agencies of the government that protect citizens from private corporate abuse of the environment (EPA), regulation from the harmful effects of many drugs on the market that are indiscriminately promoted by the pharmaceutical companies and watchdogs over the issuance of harmful food products (FDA),
The protection and rights of servicemen and women to receive just benefits for their service, (VA) unemployment insurance, the right of unions to arbitrate and protect the working poor are all vestiges of socialist thought. Whenever socialism and capitalism have a healthy marriage, we see a superior form of government as we have here in the US that acts as a beacon of light for the rest of the world.

This is true nationalism. This nationalism entails the defense of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights from frivolous tampering through the red-herring issues such as gay marriage and flag burning. This nationalism protects the Jew and the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist, Zoroastrian and agnostics, atheists and secular free-thinkers from the bullying theo-fascists that would force their brand of Christianity down the throats of other people and denegrate their beliefs.

The Neo-cons practice their brand of socialism by funding government agencies such as Homeland Security and the Patriot Act. When socialism and nationalism become perverse, it gives rise to institutions such as the Nationalist Socialist Party which was a failed experiment in the thirties in Germany. We see some vestiges of this now creeping into the policies of our country.

Liberals are caring and thinking people. We are not given to marching lockstep into ideologies but give new ideas careful weight. We care about children and their right to health insurance and a decent education regardless of their economic status. We care about the elderly,
And we don't want to see their care compromised and stolen through the wanton gutting of their Social Security. We believe in security for pregnant women through pre-natal and post-natal aid, planned parenthood, and many of us oppose the death penalty because we are Pro Life.

These are all moral issues that we believe in.
Our nationalism and respect for the marriage of capitalism and socialism defines us as social Democrats.

Frank