With all the hype how can we tell what is the reality behind a label?

It is quite true that folk use nice words like Christian, and then propose agendas that do not fit that label, or try to make good ideas like socialized or empathy out to be evil.

All that can be sorted out quite well by asking what they think of the four Socialized values.:...

Empathy: can they imagine what others lives are like, are they willing to treat those others as they would wish to be treated if in their shoes.

Empowerment: Are they willing to help others to be all they can be and make the best for themselves, knowing that it is not a zero sum situation, and the advancement of others advances yourself as well.

Responsibility/accountability: that any position that allows one to make decisions that affect others (particularly politicians, but corp as well) are agents for those affected and a violation of that trust for personal gain is embezzlement, and should be treated as such, and if the Cop on the job does not do so, that is dereliction of duty and should be treated as such. Though like any group activity, perfection is impossible so you deal with it as you can, and with that empathy stuff as above.

Reality: This should be universal, but unfortunately is not. There are ways to decide what is real for the most part, and what is phony or illogical and that needs to drive the decisions about what enhances or detracts from the other values and as a package.

From such understanding the way through all the flack can be much easier.