LEE CARTER: Socialism means two wildly different things to Republicans and Democrats

Socialism is back.

And judging by the reaction in some Republican circles, so is the Soviet Union.

There is just one problem. Americans embracing socialism may not be talking about the socialism Republicans think theyre talking about.

MAJORITY OF AMERICANS BROADLY REJECT SOCIALIST IDEOLOGY EVEN AS FAR LEFT SURGES TO POWER

And if we dont understand that, were going to miss one of the most important lessons of this election.

Im a researcher and strategist. I spend my life studying what people believe, why they believe it, and how the same words can mean wildly different things to different people.

And right now, there may be no word in American politics more misunderstood than socialism.

To many Republicans, socialism means communism. Government control. Breadlines. Moscow. A dreary existence in which everyone is equally miserable except the people running the government.

To many Democrats, it means something else entirely.

Affordable healthcare. A decent retirement. A fair shot at getting ahead. An economy where billionaires dont get every break while everyone else gets the bill.

Same word. Different movie.

And the polling is remarkable.

SOCIALISM SURGES AMONG DEMOCRATS AS PARTY LEADERS REJECT DSA AGENDA: PACK OF FOOLS

According to Gallup, 65% of Democrats have a positive view of socialism. So do 45% of independents. Only 14% of Republicans agree.

But heres the really interesting part.

When Gallup asked Americans what they actually liked about socialism, Democrats and independents talked about access to basic services, economic equality, and a stronger safety net.

They werent describing the Soviet Union.

They were describing a country where ordinary people can afford to live.

Now, that doesnt mean socialism is simply another word for fairness. It is a real economic philosophy with real policy implications, and Americans have legitimate disagreements about what government should own, control, regulate, and provide.

But if were going to have that argument, shouldnt we first make sure were having the same conversation?

Because right now, one side is warning about Vladimir Lenin while the other is worried about the price of lettuce.

And the lettuce is winning.

The irony of it all is that Trump messaged this before the Democrats did. He understood something fundamental about American voters in 2016.

People were angry.

LIBERAL-CITY RESIDENT HESITATES WHEN PRESSED ON BELIEFS: 'I HADN'T REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT SOCIALISM THAT WAY'

They believed the system was rigged. They believed the powerful were getting richer while everyone else was falling behind. They believed Washington had become a private club where the members took care of themselves and sent the bill to the rest of the country.

Trump promised to drain the swamp.

He promised to fight for the forgotten man and woman.

He promised to take on