The technical and strict definition of socialism does not matter. We, in America, tend to call anything that is collectivist in nature as "socialist." The democrats' brand of socialism just happens to be the way collectivism can be jammed into our political and legal system.
Socialism, communism, communitarianism, whatever---they are all collectivists, and their philosophies are antithetical to freedom. If the state is empowered to confiscate the fruits of a man's labor, then he is in bondage just as if it were King George of England himself taking his money from him. And this is what collectivism does. Collectivism is tyranny.
If the democrats are not socialists by the strictest definition, it matters little. They are collectivists. And the liberals within the republican party are of the same stripe.
I defy anyone to look me in the eye and tell me that the democrats don't want to confiscate my checkbook, my guns, and my liberty. If one cannot admit to himself that the dems are anti-gun and will at some point move to confiscate, he's in denial.
If the democrats gain complete control of the government this election cycle, America will be finished.