E Archer gives the words that point to the problem: we do not viscerally understand that "democratic socialism" is not that far from "fascism/totalitarianism" to begin with. It makes little difference to me that the citizenry voted to take my wealth or make me behave per their vote, or if a fascism govt did it. The outcome is the same, and in neither case did they have the moral right to loot what is mine. Only when we finally burn the fact that democracy is mobocracy into our thick skulls will any real change happen. Until then, we are just little piggies voting ourselves goodies from our neighbor's wealth and sweat. We allow dictators to get seated only because we think the pathway to the trough will be even faster to travel.

In a nutshell, everyone, religious and irreligious, tries to force their morality on everyone else. Our govt's Bill of Rights legislates morality by saying it is WRONG and IMMORAL to conduct unreasonable search and seizures, (etc). Our govt has decreed drugs, polygamy, and other subjects as IMMORAL AND WRONG. We do it all the time, virtually EVERY time we pass a law. The US govt, who claims to keep religion out of legislation, has decided it is MORAL, GOOD and RIGHT to threaten violence against me, making me pay for Social Security, and they will one day steal more for universal healthcare. I ask them what about my right to privacy and choice, self-determination, as the "Pro-Choice" folk do. Many seek to form a govt that will do an about-face and declare these programs IMMORAL. But it is govt deciding morality in either case, and we can't escape it, for both the religious and irreligious are in Congress pushing their beliefs. "In the final analysis, those who say they want no morals imposed on others really want their own morals imposed on everyone. The truth is, all laws impose morals on others, good or bad. ...It is impossible NOT to legislate morality." (Geisler & Turik, 'Legislating Morality,' Bethany House Publ., Minn., MN, 55438, pg 45)