> A mode of thought I would expect in socialist countries, not the US...

what does socialism have to do with this? maybe you meant to say "a mode of thought I would expect in totalitarian police states..."

it's true that some totalitarian police states have, nominally if not really in practice, also been socialist. however, there have been just as many fascist, capitalist, monarchist, and theocratic totalitarian police states as well.

so I ask again...what does socialism have to do with this?