I agree. But this isn’t a binary choice between free market capitalism and communism lite. When talking about the US and socialism, I mean moving into line with other liberal democracies. Universal health care, basic minimum wage, maternity cover, some social housing. A general measure of happiness of a country is the perceived equality. The US does not do well by this measure…. And then gives its citizens access to high powered weaponry.

A Liberal Democrat position combined with a free market often enacts elements of socialism without descending into chaos – but I’m not sure why the US has struggled so much with this. It seems deadlocked and paralysed with a demos that won’t budge.