Of course they would because they�as I noted�don't understand any of these terms. Most Americans have simplistic and distorted views of "Capitalism" and "Socialism"�along with dozens of other terms.
I would add "moral" to that list. It is easy to reject the complaint you raise, however, by noting that such redistribution of wealth IS an attempt to be moral within a system that has NO regard for whether or not people deserve the accident of their births either into wealth or poverty.
Anyone who believes that any system of government PRACTICED historically or today is a fair representation of any theory is mistaken.
Your hypothetical "disagreement" is a game that simpletons play (such as Rush Limbaugh or Anne Coulter). Here is the game:
(1) Define an idea or group of people.
(2) Attack the DEFINITION you have established.
(3) Don't allow anyone time to check the definition.
Thus, IF socialism IS "a political/economic system that confiscates wealth from those who earned it, and transfers it against their will to those who haven't," THEN this would be a fair disagreement. However, the definition is flawed, thus the entire disagreement falls apart.
In a democracy that has socialistic components (such as the US�highways, military, judicial system, public education. . .), the socialism is the result of the will of the people participating in that democracy; thus, nothing is "confiscated."
If, however, one wishes to attack totalitarian forms of government (often called "socialistic," "communistic," or some other label associated with Marxist ideas) that DO confiscate capital and freedom for the elite to enjoy only, then you got a good disagreement on your hands!
If we in this country are unhappy with the tax system (and I am, and we should be), then since it is a system WE created, WE can change it.
And if we wish to obliterate ALL socialism, then we might need to hurry because it will be hard for many of us to get to the polling booths without any roads or highways, without any military to insure we have a democracy, without any police force to help keep our lives somewhat safe. . .
