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This is an opinion column.

Americans love iPhones and rock Nikes. Gmail accounts streamline inboxes like never before. Facebook and Twitter have heavily supplanted conversations in the real world. Even with an occasionally burnt taste, we cant get enough Starbucks. Unfortunately, many conservatives have discovered their social and political values dont line up with those companies. Then a Republican politician shows up. Im from the government, he says, and Im here to help.

Dont fall for it. Its socialism wearing a conservative mask.

For quite some time, Republican politicians have hidden their command and control tendencies behind the idea of populism. The term essentially identifies a philosophy where people have a material say in the political and economic systems that impact them. That concept is as American as apple pie. When the people decide that theyre going to socialize control over American businesses, the populists are, in fact, socialists.

Conservatives conveniently tag Democrats as socialists because the most progressive among them would be perfectly willing to control most aspects of Americas corporations. The primary focus is almost always on wages for executives versus labor. The social values of Americas largest corporations already align fairly well with Democrats, so they mostly leave those alone.

Regrettably, Republicans have adopted what amounts to a values-based socialism where the government seeks to control the corporate ethics and decision-making capabilities of business while largely leaving the economics alone.

Sometimes they arent so bashful. In 2017, for example, Tucker Carlson called for Google to be regulated like a public utility. The argument stuck. Earlier this year, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit against Google attempting to make Carlsons argument a reality. Some Republicans in Montgomery are tossing around the idea of banning private companies from requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For too many Republicans across the country, protecting a free marketplace has become secondary to satisfying instant political desires.

Democrats want economic control. Republicans are increasingly interested in controlling the rest. Both are strains of the same socialist virus: government manipulation of Americas economic engine for political gains.

Its easy to miss when its coming from preferred politicians. Every senator, congressman, governor and presidential hopeful believes he or she is the government champion of the average American. That description could also apply to every socialist and communist leader throughout history. Politicians fancy themselves to be Robin Hood while behaving like the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John.

Americas founders wisely realized that the American government must balance the political desires of citizens against longer-term priorities and interests of political minorities. The United States doesnt and shouldnt have a Constitution where the passions of the moment solely dictate our governance.

Imagine that Facebook creates a filter that essentially mutes all conservative posts. Keywords like free market, Reagan, and individual responsibility are flagged and blocked. Most conservatives would understandably be outraged, but we shouldnt run to the government to fix a private decision we hate. I should have as much say over Facebooks content policies as I do the kinds of coffee offered at Starbucks. My choice is to enjoy the products or not.

Dont give me the argument that the government benefits business in certain ways, so the government can then demand whatever it wants. If thats the case, the mere act of incorporating a business entity could be a blank check for government control. Should we end the corporate handouts that skew the marketplace? Absolutely. Do those government goodies and tax breaks justify socialist-style controls? No.

When the folks complaining about social media bias communicate their outrage via the platforms they criticize, the complaints ring a bit hollow. Most of us arent looking up what charities our preferred products support in deciding whether were going to buy the product. When it comes to the politically disaffected abandoning companies in droves, its seldom enough to move the needle. Twitter is perfectly fine losing a relatively small population of fiery right-wing politicos to Parler.

Republicans absolutely want technologies, services, and goods made by companies with far more progressive values. Regrettably, weve become increasingly willing to use the government to secure the former without the latter. Its as wrong as the socialist who wants economic control of businesses while preserving a free expression of their social values and norms. Economic and civil liberties are the bedrock of American democracy, both deserve our protection even if doing so isnt politically popular.

Smith is a recovering political attorney with three boys, two dogs, and an extremely patient wife. He engages media, business, and policy through the Triptych Foundation and Triptych Media. Please direct outrage or agreement to csmith@al.com or @DCameronSmith on Twitter.

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Cameron Smith: Conservatives must address the rise of Republican socialism - AL.com