Forms of Government. Came up with 5 forms of Government: Monarchy, Democracy, Oligarchy, Authoritarianism, and Totalitarianism.  What happened to Socialism?  Why is it not on the list?  Because each and every one of these is a version of socialism, 

Look up the term Socialism – “a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.” Along with the definition are more variations and use of the term than there are for forms of government. 

Found this quote quite appropriate.  “socialism entails the existence of a legislative body administered by people who would be elected in a representative democracy”. Sounds a lot like our current form of government. The term variation of socialism that fits us best is Social Democracy.

Social democracy is a political, social and economic ideology that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a liberal democratic polity and a capitalist economy.

Our current president is harping that we will not become a Socialist country, but we already are. Every level of our government is an example of socialism.  From your local township, to your county, to your state and the federal government.  Our communities vote for representatives to control (own and regulate) assets for use by our society.  Be it snow plows to keep streets clear, schools to teach our children, social security to care for our elderly, etc.

Our Democracy is Social Democracy. We use it to provide justice as it runs in tandem with Capitalism.  They act hand in hand.  Right now our democracy is spending out of control.  Basically to provide for the social justice our society needs.  Welfare, food stamps, tax credits, etc. To pay for these we keep increasing the debt we are accruing for future generations with ever increasing limits, yet not seeing that there needs be limits applied to Capitalism.

Without limits on Capitalism a very few are amassing huge fortunes that eventually will crash our economy.  There are too many in need of basic minimums to survive.  The pressure on the lower and middle classes is manifesting itself in way too familiar issues: suicide, mental and general health issues, gun violence, drug addiction.  This list goes on and on.  Without an upper limit to what people can own and earn, all of these will continue to increase in frequency.

We all want to believe in the American Dream, we want our society to work for all, without leaving people behind.  It’s about time we recognize we are a Social democracy that cares for those in need, coupled with a free enterprise system that can provide real opportunities for entrepreneurialism, the American Dream. To make it all work we need to set limits and goals.