Western countries today, we know, socialism does not mean government owning most industries and indulging in Stalinist dictatorships, but more nearly exercising control through regulatory overkill and “soft despotism.” As described by the 19th century author Alexis de Tocqueville, that would be government that hinders, represses, extinguishes, dazes and stupefies, reducing people to a timid herd of sheep. Freedom can go kaput. :-(
                         
                         

Since you like memes so much, post this one.
http://www.bilgebucket.com/wp-content/uploads/fascistconservativechecklist.jpg
or
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/530becede4b093256168fba5/t/58549173cd0f68c64d5410ca/1481937279885/

Nikita Khrushchev was somewhat of a visionary, seeing as how he called that one right back in 1959. Gullible/ignorant Democrats are indeed today shamelessly and openly clamoring for socialism/communism. I had never heard of the Socialist Party presidential candidate Norman Thomas. He had some warped views, but he was no dummy either, fully cognizant of the fact that Democrats were the weakest link in the American political system. Over time the Democrats bought into the propaganda and morphed into the hot mess of raving/unhinged lunatics that we have to deal with today.

LONGINES CHRONOSCOPE WITH DR. NORMAN THOMAS

February 1953 CBS interview with Dr. Thomas on his criticism of the new Eisenhower administration policies regarding Formosa (Taiwan) and Chiang Kai-shek, communism, bombing of Manchurian bases, recognition of the People's Republic of China, Korean truce, a third World War and world peace.

https://archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.95979

(he reminds me of an earlier version of Bernie Sanders)