The absurd, irrational fear of "socialized" anything in this country has been an impediment to real progress for far too long. Currently it stands in the way of even tepid, quasi-socialized health insurance reform in the form of a public option. The progressive and, hell, even the not-so-progressive wing of the Democratic Party can put an end to it with some simple though perhaps tedious and long-term effort.
America's history is a tapestry woven with semantics as much as with actions. The control of vocabulary (i.e. "message control") is at least as important as control over the course of action we take. Vocabulary forms the way we discuss the issues. It's time to start identifying "socialized" with positive aspects of America, rather than letting it languish as the bastard child, Goldstein-like focus of hate the right likes to use it as.
The fact is that America has a lot of very efficient, very well liked socialized programs that have not pushed out private organizations from the markets in which they operate. We need to encourage our political representatives to not only start acknowledging this, but to revel in it. Americans love us some private enterprise. Many (most?) would be shocked to learn they loves them some socialism, too. Let's get to work making it plain enough for them to see.
The military is a socialist institution. It is (supposed to be) run by the government on behalf of the people, for all our mutual defense. It's the best at what it does, and while private companies feed at the trough of the military industrial complex, and mercenary soldiers exist thanks to Bush, Cheney, and Iraq, the government still controls the purse strings and gives the orders.
The police are socialist institutions. This hasn't stopped security companies from providing "mall cops" and other security forces to private individuals who pay. The police systems works well in the main, with (important issues regarding treatment of the poor and minorities that can't be ignored). People tend to like having the comfort of a public, government run security force that responds when crime happens.
The fire departments are socialist institutions. Hell, a lot of fire departments are all- or mostly-volunteer organizations: that's not socialism, that's almost out-right communism! This doesn't prevent private companies from providing fire protection systems, such as automatic sprinklers, alarms, and the like.
Medicare is a socialized program run by the government. It allows for the provision of high-quality, low-cost health care to those who need it most and can often afford it least: our senior citizens. Seniors like Medicare, and for good reason. What private health plan provides for a 60-day hospital stay with an out-of-pocket expense of just $1,048? Or a low- or zero copay primary care plan for just $96 per month? Yet private health plans for seniors exist, mainly for "gap" coverage (e.g. to cover that $1,048, or to cover prescriptions).
Americans fear "socialism," but it's everywhere. It surrounds us, as Beck might say. We--all of us--need to help our fellow citizens overcome their irrational fear of socialism. An important part of doing that is to allow everybody to become comfortable calling popular, well-run socialist programs what they are: socialized. And to do that, we need to encourage our political representatives to be honest about these things, too.
So when you're writing your letters to the editor about health care and health insurance reform, or your letters to your congressman, or even when discussing it with coworkers, friends and family, try to infuse the discussion with this honest branding of our most respected and useful institutions.