When health care reform was proposed, my -- albeit limited-- memory of the opposition was that the proposals were labeled "socialist." And I don't think much happened.

I suspect that not many people around right now, thanks to the breakup of the Soviet Union and the decline of Communism worldwide, have a real concern about socialism. Certainly this group does not include people who understand the difference between -- and benefit from -- unfettered Capitalism and socialism. But most people, no longer worried that socialism will lead inevitably to the first, second and third steps down the slippery slope to Communism, just didn't care.* 

When the dire threat of "socialism" did not move people to oppose health care reform, another term or category had to be put forward in order to scare people and rally opposition. Rummaging around in the murky grab bag of historical precedent, they came up with Hitler and fascism.

Does it fit? No. Does anyone realize this? Apparently not too many.

Is it working? I guess we'll see.

*Full Disclosure: I teach history and I blame weak historical understanding for this sorry state of affairs. What must Europeans think when they hear that universal health care, which many of them provide, is fascist?