I’ve always wondered why the word “socialism” seems to trigger so many American fundamentalists. 

The minute they hear about “socialized healthcare,” they’re up in arms about their taxpayer dollars being used to benefit others — as if that’s not the basis of the welfare state in which we all live. 

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But if this label of being “socialized” is removed from the title, there no longer exists a problem. We don’t ever think of our military as “socialized,” even though it is an institution funded through taxes with the same goal as healthcare: to protect the American people. 

“Socialism” carries with it a taboo that can be traced back to the inception of American politics. The capitalist philosophy that this country was founded on teaches society to prioritize only one thing: themselves.

The notion of the American Dream championed one’s individuality and independence, their ability to succeed off of hard work alone. But for everyone who’s able to reach the zenith of capitalism, there’s someone who sinks from it.

While the American Dream is the reality for a privileged few, the vast majority of Americans can’t achieve individuality while being simultaneously independent. They require the help of their government and of their fellow citizens, most of whom suffer from tunnel vision that inhibits their ability to have empathy for the less fortunate. 

From issues such as homelessness to immigration, adversaries are commonly heard saying, “Not in my backyard” or “They’re stealing our jobs.” It’s almost as if these matters are out of sight, out of mind for many voters — if something doesn’t directly affect them, why should they care?

Unfortunately, this wholeheartedly American philosophy has consequences beyond the United States borders.

The U.S.’s elections matter more than almost any other country on an international level, as the international policies enacted by U.S. officials can have drastic implications for foreign nations. As the world’s number one economy and a strong military ally to over 50 countries, a vote for president is not only for a domestic leader but a global one.

However, the results of this election made clear that the American people voted with no one else in mind but themselves. They didn’t cast their ballots for the children suffering in Gaza, the innocent citizens in war-torn Ukraine or the families of undocumented immigrants. 

None of the issues faced by these people seemed to matter more to Americans than how the economy affected milk prices at their local grocery store. 

Even in many domestic issues, the selfish motives of each demographic were evident. The right to abortion was favored less by men than women. Those under the age of 30 supported cuts to Social Security more often than those over 50 did. 

These trends aren’t surprising, though, as it’s common for people to cast ballots in their own interest. What makes this election so distinctive is the number of voters who were captured by the allure of modern conservatism, convincing more individuals than usual to go against the historic allegiances of their respective voting blocs.

Trump improved drastically among racial minorities compared to 2020, as his share of Black voters increased by 8%, Latine voters by another 8% and Asian American voters by 7%. While these demographics still remain solidly Democratic, large gains for the right represent feelings of betrayal from the party that has historically advocated much more on behalf of racial minorities than Republicans have. 

These changes in public attitude have garnered bipartisan acknowledgment, as Democrats and Republicans equally recognized the lack of sympathy present in the American people during this election cycle. The Harris campaign adopted more right-leaning views on immigration and Israel’s war in Gaza in order to appeal to more voters, while the Trump campaign doubled down on more extremist views.

This rightward shift away from progressivism in 2024 simultaneously meant a shift away from compassion, but this doesn’t have to be the case. People on both sides of the political spectrum can still strive to put morality at the forefront of their ideology, to put others on the same pedestal that they put themselves. A socialized society can operate within a capitalist economy, but it requires each of us to shed the self-centered mindset that our American upbringing has raised us to inherit.