Why do Americans confuse social democracies with socialism?

[Knowledge Is Power]

Social democracies are capitalist countries with higher tax rates for the purposes of social programs such as universal health care.

Social democracies still allows ownership of land, still can create private business, still have the poor, rich, middle class, can choose jobs, we live by supply and demand and markets. There are McDonalds here.

Social democracies are first world countries just like the US and knowing some people think otherwise is mind boggling..
I see democrats defend socialism when they are really defending social democracies and I see republicans call everything socialist when its social democracies they re referring too. both are foolish.

[New2Forums]

"A rose by any other name" will still soon run out of other people's money.

[RockyMtn High]

Six to one, half dozen to the other.

Governments aren't an efficient means of providing a damn thing. Human nature makes it impossible, we are all much more concerned about our own survival first and foremost. No matter how the economic system is structured, those in power will always work to stay in power.

If it works, why is Spain cutting spending by over 7% with a 20% unemployment rate?

[RayHere]

Americans and America is a unique country and people try not to get your feeling hurt if we don't want the same system as you have You can still however post ''we don't have the death penalty why do you have it We don't have arms why do you We have a monarchy why don't you We drive on this side of the road why don't you?''
If your a canuck you might say ''we don't need a large military why do you?'' Well the question was asked and answered at the same time

[u_bin_called]

probably for the same reason that people who supposedly support "socialism" spend more time gloating how much more they know about it than actually making it work in the real world...

[Amateurjudge515]

Are the social programs working well? I think of Greece where people are promised something that cannot be delivered indefinitely and then riot and burn when the awful truth is thrown in their faces. We don't want that here.

[Mogollon Dude]

If it quacks like a duck then it is a Duck .

[piscopera]

You are wasting your time trying to educate those who know all even though they've never travelled or seen another country at work. Simple people like simple answers, not facts.

[bad girl]

Uneducated ignorance and "jingoism". They choose to believe that the USA is the greatest country in the world. Had a discussion about this last night with my granddaughter (21) a college student. She says her peers are addicted to instant gratification and think President Obama can snap his fingers and correct all the disasters of the previous administration over night.

I lived in a Scandinavian social democracy for 17 years and like you am amazed at the ignorance of Americans regarding life in other countries.

Thank you for your post you have presented a clear and accurate description of Social Democracy.

[Emma]

People in general don't understand or care to learn about sociopolitical and government entities.