Indoctrination in schools?

While in one of my classes the other day at college, the professor was discussing socialism as a government system. As soon as I heard the word "socialism" I immeadietly started thinking about red banners and jackboots marching along the pavement without any concious thought about the subject. I realized what I was thinking and started to wonder why this was the first reaction I had. Could it be true that throughout my schooling I was somehow subconcisouly taught to view all forms of government besides democracy as bad and evil? Anyone else have a similar epiphinay? Or am I just crazy...

Well, firstly, let me just state that I personally think socialism is a bad idea.

Now with that being said, I'll also state that in a way, if you live in a western society, you sort of have been "programmed" to view certain things in certain ways. When you think Mason, for instance, most think "power, influence, shaowdy figures." When one thinks dictator, one generally sees images of "Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin," et cetera.

Why? Well, we have been flooded with such images throughout our lives.