To be a socialist is to have a voice and a vote. A socialist democracy is dedicated to meeting the needs of the people as a whole. There is still a capitalistic, free market within that definition. Taxes are higher in these kinds of states (ask a Canadian), but because people know their needs will be met in old age, the masses don't strive for extreme wealth in the way the American system has been constructed. Canada's taxes are high, and even higher among the upper echelons. When you think about it, how all of the money in this country is going into only a few people's pockets, the Republicans are becoming communists. We are the party of the WPA, Social Security, and Medicare. What have the Republicans done but stick with the great trickle-down economics theory THAT NEVER WORKED! I'm not as well versed in all of this stuff as many, but this is what i know. A nation has been brainwashed into an alternative universe.