American Socialism.

Many now are using to describe the moves of our current administration the scariest word around for Republicans and conservatives and the uninformed (of a certain age): Socialism.

Use of the S word has always (well, since the turn of last century anyway) been a fear tactic of the right and now, as the Republicans scramble to have a mission or even a credible point, you hear the term Socialism a lot: all over the web and in the media. Remember the accusations during the campaign? Ooh, The Red Menace, Communism, sharing a house with 15 people, standing in line for the same piece of bread everyone else gets. The horror of government control!

Yet, I haven't heard anyone with heft and audience come out and debunk the current use of the term for the populace. No, The New Yorker and Esquire don't count, sorry. I'd love to hear one of the greater, sounder liberal bloggers debunk the current use. And better yet, I'd love to hear Tweety get into it, or Brian Williams or -- I got it -- Matt Lauer!

So, until someone with voice and heft does a loud and factual debunking of the dog whistle, here are some resources and essays for those of you who really wish to know what you're talking about when you talk about Socialism.

Socialism
Socialism
Socialism
Socialism
Socialism
Socialism
Socialism

If, however, you fear Communism, well then, I suggest you read one book by Orlando Figes, The People's Tragedy. That will cure your fear of Obama, and your conflation of socialism with communism right up!

So come on all you unemployed, broke, foreclosed, debt-ridden Americans: If you ain't got nothin', you ain't got nothin' to lose!