Exercitus comments,

“Do not say that communism is bad, in theory, it is one of the greatest forms of government ever devised.  The only problem is that it never works.  It always seems to devolve into a dictatorship.  What you detest is not Communism itself, for we have never seen it, but what it can become.  Socialism does not take from your freedom.  It makes sure that you will always have reasonable shot at happiness and that always means liberty. The left does not have to move toward Communism any more than the right must become Fascist.”  

Socialism: read the definitions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialismgovernments.
“Socialism” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2006. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
This is a list of countries that considered themselves to be governed by Socialism.

Cuba is one of the most Socialist nations as it has a mostly state-run economy, a universal healthcare and government-paid education at all levels plus a few other social programs. It does not have a stock exchange.

The same is true of North Korea, which has an almost entirely state-run economy, as well as the same social programs mentioned for Cuba. Like Cuba, North Korea does not have a stock exchange.

Venezuela’s economy has more private ownership, but the government social programs are quite extensive and the foreign policy is very left wing. Cuban doctors and teachers have been brought to Venezuela to provide some medical and educational services.

China’s economy is still substantial state-run, although there are not as many social programs as there once were and universal healthcare has now been eliminated. It still has a Socialist-type foreign policy, for the most part.

Vietnam has a significant part of its economy state-run with close ties with Cuba, Venezuela and Belarus.

Syria, although not commonly referred to as Socialist in the West, has a mostly state-run economy and universal healthcare, along with a left-wing foreign policy.

The Byelorussia [Belarus] economy is state-run and some govt. social programs are available. Belarus has close ties with Venezuela, China, and other Socialist countries.

Sweden still has mostly private industry, but many well-funded government social programs are offered. Universal healthcare and government-provided education at all levels is made available. It is still considered a Socialist country.

Bolivian President Evo Morales considers his countries politics programs, as Socialistic but the country is not rated as such at this time.  Hugo Chavez of Venezuela also considers his country as a Socialistic Nation.

I did not include Russia at this time becasuse it is clearly in flux but starting to go back from almost capitolistic to socialistic with a lot of communism undertones once again.  

This list may not be all inclusive.

Also take a look at these countries.
Denmark is a constitutional monarch. They had huge increases in taxation over the years and then ended up with extremely high unemployment rates. The welfare state did not work. They have eliminated almost all regulations to get their country back to producing again. It could have just as easily gone the other way.  Norway is also a constitutional monarch. They have a very high percentage of government owned business. They have a high standard of living but this country has an extremely high rate of natural resources that makes it possible to support the number of people. There population is low compared to other countries.  Wikipedia is a quick way to get an overview of some of these countries. Sweden is also a constitutional monarch. They have there own set of crisis and have cut taxes and have started to eliminate their own welfare state. .
An example from a man from Sweden The federal government withheld 40% of his gross income, and then at tax time he paid another 25% on his total net. Look at France, Germany, and UK. They are moving away from the parts of their country that work on socialism. Ireland has the lowest tax rate and is rated one of the best places to live.

Pure Socialism starts out as being this wonderful way to create a way of life that everyone can share and share alike. It always moves away from Socialism. Socialism is not sustainable. Human nature does not allow it.  Sometimes it goes in the directly of Capitalism. This can be a peaceful movement of change. Then there is the other scenario. The elite decide that that they should not have to live that way, they are the leaders you known. They are better than everyone else so they should be able to do whatever they want. Now you end up with Communism. That is the problem with the whole idea of Socialism it never stops where you think it will.

The US does some have some elements of Socialism. Public Education is probably the easiest one to understand. Take a look at the cost to the country for this system. We keep spending more and more and we are not getting good results. In my opinion, when sports became the main goal in schools true education took a back seat. Because it is run on the premise that taxpayers are an endless source of funds there is little effort to attempt to do the best with what you have. Waste is the main output of our school systems. Good teachers are treated the same as bad teachers. There is no incentive to excel. Children are not stupid; they pick up on this and follow the same example. That is another problem of Socialism.

I find that when I am attempting to determine finances for my self [money is the main component of socialism] I use the simplest thing I can find to give me an idea of what my decision will mean in the long term. Try this out.
You can use these population numbers to calculate the cost of a social program of your liking in any of these countries. Use simple math. Example. One single free cup of coffee based on the average price of $1.50 to every person in the US would cost $451,709,920.50 as compared to Sweden, which would be $13,546,632.00
It can help put some perspective on just how much it would cost when someone suggests, “Why just doesn’t the government pay for it.”  Of course you have to remember where the government gets the money to pay for it.  Taxes! Your money.

Sweden 9,031,088 population in 2007
Denmark 5,468,120 population in 2007
Norway population 4,627,926 in 2007
Canada, 33, 390,141 population in 2007
France, 64,473,140 population in 2007
China, 1,321,851,888 estimated population in July 2007
Cuba, 11, 394,043 estimated population in July 2007
Syria, could not find any firm numbers of population
China, 1,321,851,888 estimated population in July 2007
Vietnam, 85,262,356 estimated population in July 2007
Belarus, 9,724,723 estimated population in July 2007
Venezuela 26,023,528 estimated population in July 2007
North Korea 23,301,725 estimated population in July 2007
Cuba 11,394,043 estimated population in July 2007
United States 301,139,947 estimated in July 2007
Russia 141,377,752 estimated in July 2007