I’m a fan of universal healthcare, universal college, and government-backed housing loans… Why? Because I had them in the military and they helped me be successful.

I served almost a decade as a Soldier and had deployed for a little over a year to Iraq.

I have three children on the autism spectrum. When they were all born in the 2000s, it was a pre-existing condition and there were no autism waivers (and still aren't in 12 states!.)

I didn't have a single credit of college when I entered.

I was a renter for my short time as an adult with my wife.

While in?

1. 100% medical care, no deductible. Tricare is some of the best insurance you could ever have. Didn't even have to pay for cough drops as I could request them. I often hear complaints of the quality of healthcare in the military, but usually from people in the civilian world that have no concept. Paid for all my children's therapy. Even paid for 20 hours of childcare a month.
2. Tuition Assistance was 100% while I was in. My final month in Iraq I finished my BS and walked around with a photocopy of my degree my wife sent me in my pocket. I was so proud as I was never a great student. In May 2011, I finished my MA. Only ever paid college fees and for some of my books. Left without an ounce of student debt. Furthermore, my CompTIA and CEH certifications were all paid for by the Army.
3. In 2010, I became a homeowner when I used my VA loan. No need for a down payment and my loan was at less than 3%. That's practically free money at such low interest. Instead of giving my wages to a renter, I'm earning equity.
4. I left disabled. Back and neck are messed up. I earn a pension the rest of my life for it and am entitled to VA medical care for life.

I get so annoyed when I hear fellow veterans or current military decry “socialism” while having universal healthcare, education (while in and often when our through VA Voc Rehab), subsidized housing loans.

I never for the notion of how patriotism doesn't involve investing in our own citizens. I don't see how people can love America without loving Americans. Do you really love your country if you're okay with our child poverty rate? Do you live your country if you're not willing to ensure citizens always have healthcare? Do you love your country if you're okay that predatory student loans plagued an entire generation?

Great societies are not free. You have to invest in them. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just willfully ignorant. During the FDR and Truman administrations these were tenants. Eisenhower was the diet version of that. Even with how corrupt Nixon was, he was a believer in Universal Basic Income (UBI) which is treated as a radical idea these days.