Hi Marcia!
What's the difference between socialism and communism as seen in the US?
I've got the impression it's exactly the same.

Here, we consider socialism as a democratic ideology, that is more generous than the conservative, and that spreads wealth to a larger fraction of the population.
The conservatives, we call them "libéraux or liberals-in liberal there is liberty, meaning more in favor of freedom of enterprise than socialists are.
Last year, for instance, France which is governed by a socialist prime minister (Jospin) has said that 50% of all the wealth produced was redistributed in one form or another.
Communism, well, it's even less in favor of freedom of enterprise but it's also democratic in western Europe.
But then, communism is more known as what ruled the Soviet Union for 70 years. Not democratic at all.
I find it quite amusing how Tom Brosz hates the left so much, while we know perfectly well it's as democratic as the conservatives (even more in my view).
The left is not against freedom, it's just more in favor of spreading the wealth than the conservatives.

Raoul