> McCarthy hunted down communists (supposed and actual).
yes, and communism is a political belief. Political persecution is a political action, not an economic one.
> It appears to me that you are conflating 'socialism' with 'planned economy' and 'capitalism' with 'free market'.
I don't believe I am. The premise of capitalism is mutually beneficial trade of privately owned and produced goods. I think you are confusing capitalism and social democracy, in that social democracy adds burdens onto the capitalist economy (for example, taxes and regulations) for the benefit of society at large and to counteract the problems that free-market capitalism can create (exploitation, the tragedy of the commons, etc).
McCarthy hunted down communists (supposed and actual).
> The whole idea of capitalism is that people join together in free association to trade for mutual benefit. The responsibility ends there.
It appears to me that you are conflating 'socialism' with 'planned economy' and 'capitalism' with 'free market'.