DEBATE: First, let’s define the terms

I think a lot of our political debates happen because we’re using the same words to mean very different things.

Communism, socialism, democratic socialism, and social democracy are not the same thing.

Communism is an authoritarian system where the government controls nearly everything and political opposition is suppressed.

The Democratic Party is not a socialist party, and the vast majority of Democratic policies are not proposals to eliminate capitalism or give the government control of the economy.

Many of the policies people label “socialist” — like Social Security, Medicare, public schools, libraries, paid family leave, or universal healthcare — fit more closely with social democracy: a capitalist economy with a stronger social safety net.

You don’t have to agree with those policies. Debate whether they work, what they cost, and whether they’re worth it.

But let’s debate the actual policies, not labels that have become political scare words.

Words matter. Definitions matter. And informed discussions matter even more.

TONYA COPPEDGE

Coeur d’Alene