One thing that is certain is
Republicans will be using the “S” word a lot this year during the
elections. When the “Socialist” label is
thrown out it strikes fear in the hearts of at least half the country. This fear-mongering is meant to instill in
the minds of every one an image of a dark, gray, meaningless life style where
we are living a life of drudgery and everything we produce is sucked up and
confiscated by a big, hungry, ever-present government. We do not own anything in this life of
drudgery and we are totally dependent upon the meager, subsistence-only
handouts as we wait in long lines.
We own nothing and are totally dependent on a stingy government for
everything we need.
In this definition of a
socialistic economy, government owns all means of production. There is no private ownership and the
laborer is totally dependent on the government for providing all goods and
services. Republicans are right, at
least in one sense. This type of economy
is a depressing and scary thought.
Examples of this type of economy are most closely depicted by Communist
countries where the governments such as the old Soviet Union and China control
everything.
The other kind of economic system
is called Capitalism. In a pure
Capitalistic society, the government is provided a very limited role. It is thought that in an ideal
capitalistic system, all needs of society will be provided through the creation
of wealth from private production. Yes,
there will be the ultra-rich where most of the wealth ends up, but there will
also be a very strong middle-class who have also benefited from the Capitalistic
system. This would create a freer
society where Democracy is the political tool in which all people participate
for their own good which, as result, is good for the whole society.
The problem is that neither
socialism nor capitalism has proven to be successful when run in their purist
forms. In a socialistic society, a
suppressed citizenry will eventually rise up and defeat the power structure
that suppresses them. In a capitalistic
society, the wealth increasingly ends up in the hands of the few with larger portions
of the society losing their ability to purchase goods, like food and housing.
Again, a revolution is the corrective action.
A blend of these two systems is
required to meet the goals that all healthy economies attempt to reach, freedom
to own and produce wealth combined with a structure to meets the needs of society
that are not being met by the mechanisms of capitalism: Democratic Socialism.
Now you may still be leery of a
system that contains the ugly word, socialism. But let’s look at our society today. In the 19th century most wealth
was ending up in the hands of a few.
They were called “Robber Barons.”
Large portions of this society were either unemployed or working in
sweat-shops where their earnings did not meet their needs. Changes were made where the government began
instituting labor laws to create healthier working conditions and increased
wealth.
The 1920’s, an era of vast wealth
ended in a Crash that put millions of people into soup lines. It was only after FDR had the government step
in with work projects did the economy turn around. These work projects no only put people to
work but they helped to win a world war.
Since then, the U.S. economy has been the premier model of Democratic
Socialism, where capitalism still reigns as the economic method but where government
provides those services to society that capitalism does not.
Here are a few examples of the Democratic
Socialism we all have been “enjoying” for over 100 years.
·
A world-wide military presence working to
maintain peace in the world.
·
A postage system providing inexpensive and
reliable communications.
·
Electrical and heating grids to heat and light
homes throughout the country.
·
Mail Services
·
Library services
·
Public Education
·
Police and Fire protection
·
Interstate Highway System
·
Paved roads in all communities, no matter how
small
·
Garbage disposal systems
·
Clean drinking water and safe food
·
Sewage disposal
·
Art museums
·
Radio, Television, Internet and Broadband
networks
·
Medical facilities
·
Weather tracking and reporting
·
Medicaid and Medicare
·
Social Security
·
Air Traffic Control
·
Immigration officials
·
Environmental protection
This is only a partial list… a list
that illustrates living in a Democratic Socialistic society is not that bad of a
deal. These are all examples of
socialistic services that are being provided today.
They have made our society better.
So, what about the candidates for
President this year that are running for office? Do their programs threaten to destroy our
society and move us towards Socialism? Or are they simply looking at issues
that are not being met by our Capitalistic system? Are they threatening to overthrow our
democracy or only providing a course correction to take care of some things
that have become serious societal problems needing to be addressed? Is having a
Healthcare system in place that provides everyone access to affordable medical
services, even when you’ve lost your job or have, god-forbid, a serious (expensive)
illness? Is it wrong that all people
should be able to attend college or a technical-trade school without having to
file bankruptcy to pay for it? Is it
wrong to want better education services for our children ages 0-18? Shouldn’t everyone have access to a job that
provides a living-wage instead of a wage that forces people to live on the
streets or in unhealthy conditions?
Yes, these are socialistic solutions.
Yes, it will mean that the government will need to find ways of paying
for it, mostly through a taxation of some kind.
Yes, your lives will be altered and the capitalistic society we
currently know will change. But it is a
change for the better. Millions of
people’s lives will be improved. The GNP
will grow and fewer people will go to bed at night without a roof over their
heads.
So, when the Republicans begin using the “S” word, rejoice. A promise of a new, bright day is coming. - Gary
I want everyone to know that I
live in a socialistic system, but it is one where we do not own our means of
production. It is awful. Every day the farmer’s wife steals our
eggs. Sure they feed us and keep us
housed, but shouldn’t those eggs belong to us? Oh, and those meal worms she
gives are a wonderful treat. I guess I’m crowing up an empty tree. Anyway, I envy you humans for having a choice
as where to live and the freedom to do anything you want. Why are you
griping? What is wrong about a situation
where you have all your freedoms AND have your basic human needs met, too? Now that
is what I call a perfect living situation – a utopia if I’ve ever heard one. We call that having your meal worm and eating
it too. – Peace, you lucky beings. Ollie
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