When Republicans want to instill fear in voters' hearts, they say Democrats' healthcare plans will result in "socialized medicine." They usually mean to summon images of government control of physician practices, rationing of care by bureaucrats and high taxes to pay for it all. 

A recent survey about Americans' views of socialized medicine by the Harvard School of Public Health and Harris Interactive implies the Democrats may have little to fear from the tactic.

Among those who say they have at least some understanding of the phrase "socialized medicine" (82 percent of those surveyed), a plurality (45 percent) says such a system would be better than the current one. Thirty-nine percent say it would be worse.

There was the expected split along party lines: 70 percent of Dems said socialized medicine would make U.S. healthcare better. And 70% of GOP supporters said it would make things worse. 

As for independents, the most important constituency in the November election?  Forty-three percent thought socialized medicine would make things better, while 38 said it would make things worse. 

The survey allowed respondents to define socialized medicine for themselves, whether it meant federal provision of all care or just a guarantee of healthcare coverage.  

Those looking for an enthusiastic interpretation of the survey results may want to check out this report on the Harvard/Harris survey results from a position rather far to the left.

It appeared on the website of the Russian news organization Pravda.