General Discussion

... is paying them a "socialist wage"? I'm not sure why paying anybody, in kind or in money, by anyone, government or private employers, in exchange for doing useful work in a market economy can be considered "socialist".

I can see why, in a market economy, means tested redistribution, that is, welfare, might sort of be called socialist. But in my opinion, it is better described as welfare statism, or maybe social democracy. Not socialism. It just ain't.

Early in his career, as a leader of the socialist Liberty Union Party in Vermont Bernie Sanders directly stated: "I favor the public ownership of utilities, banks and major industries." He frequently argued that the oil, energy, telephone, electric, and drug industries should be transferred to public control to serve the public good rather than billionaire profits.

That's socialism.

Now days he disavows this: "I don’t believe government should own the means of production, but I do believe that the middle class and the working families who produce the wealth of America deserve a fair deal."

That AIN'T socialism.