Examine communism and socialism. • We hear so often today that socialism and communism are the same thing. Examine the similarities and differences between the two. • Why do so many Americans seem to hate even the word “socialism”? • We already employ some socialism in this country today (and for the past several decades). Examples include libraries, police departments, public education, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, public parks, roads/highways, and so on. How do these services factor into arguments for or against socialism?