Thank you for your reply.

I think that you are right, Civics education in general seems...severely lacking. I've asked several family members who kept saying weird things about 'Socialism' what they meant by it, and why they were afraid of it, and not only could they not define it for me, when I looked up/read the definition, and asked how they felt that was being implemented in Washington, they looked at me as if I was speaking nonsense.

They think it has something to do with gun control or a gun registry and higher taxes coming out of paychecks and them not having guns to prevent it. I studied political science for several years before switching majors and actually had to pass courses, etc, so they're quite annoyed when I 'woman-splain' things and I'm pretty sure am immediately tuned out - but - will you believe me when I tell you they have no idea what implementing a socialist or communist government in the US would take?

The problem is that these folks are so afraid of the Goverment that they'd never apply for benefits, even for their kids. The solution really is that everyone gets food and healthcare and child benefits, without ridiculous eligility forms and endless government tracking, but since some people thing that enables laziness, and also, that dastardly socialism, here we are.