The socialization of the United States has, of late, became a common theme in many of the more conservative talk shows, a sentiment reinforced for many through the recent nationalization of our banks. The move was applauded by prominent financial experts, including former Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan and Pulitzer Prize-winning economic columnist Paul Krugman. But for many, especially those among the GOP ranks, the nationalization of a capitalist industry was little more than a step towards the new great evil: socialism.

Most often mentioned in the same sentences as health care, socialism has increasingly become a regular part of our political discourse, most often in the more conservative circles. Whereas just a few short years ago the rallying cry of the Republican Party was the threat of terror, now the the spectre of socialism is the new menace. And though the fight against terror still remains a prevalent theme in politics, the perils of a socialist society seem to be the new emotional pull for the faltering Republican party.

It’s easy to see why; homes are lost daily in foreclosures, layoffs are widespread, a shocking amount of people are uninsured and lives are shattered. Forget about the lingering war abroad. We have an economic war here, one that affects every single person, rich or poor. So adding in a layer of economic philosophy that’s not firmly rooted in capitalism only scares the people more.

This uproar is reminiscent of the great Red Scare of the late teens of the 20^th century, repeating itself in the 1940s and 1950s and, arguably, throughout the Cold War. Then, as we all know, communism was the great enemy, with Russia as the sum of our fears.

But now, we are our own enemy, with President Obama as the ringleader, and his plan to help provide health care for all the canary in the mine shaft. Still hurting from the shattering political loss just five minutes, the GOP is struggling to restore its old glory, wiping off the dirt from its golden eagle. And by focusing on a buzz word that is volleyed between analysts and politicians only seems to help strengthen their case against the new guard.