But I get your point. Where exactly does a little welfare become so much that it now becomes socialism? How long is a piece of string?

In my view, it’s when the government assumes control over a “going concern” from a business standpoint.

In the US, there is no socialism, by that definition. No sane businessman would try to enter those market niches. Social Security did not replace any privately held retirement investment models, Medicare did not replace any insurance companies who specialized in medical insurance for senior citizens.

Now, if the government decided to take over the banks…….or Wal-Mart……that’s socialism.