The word “socialist” is “an inaccurate red scare tactic”

Florida Gov. Rick Scott continues to use the word socialism/socialist this election season.

Scott is trying to unseat U.S. Senator Bill Nelson in November, and on the campaign trail, Scott has called Nelson a socialist.

Politifact Florida, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Times, has analyzed the situation and determined that Nelson is not a socialist.

The Politifact analysis states:

“Socialism is when the government owns (or at least controls) the means of production. Nelson hasn’t called for a government takeover of businesses.”

And, “Claiming that Nelson is a socialist is ludicrous,” said Philip J. Williams, professor at the Center for Latin American studies at the University of Florida. “His stance in opposition to the tax cut bill and in support of Medicaid expansion are mainstream Democratic positions. (Even some Republican governors have supported Medicaid expansion, including John Kasich.)”

In all, the analysis states: “Scott’s description of Nelson as a ‘socialist’ is an inaccurate red scare tactic.”