THE MARCH TOWARDS SOCIALISM

THE MARCH TOWARDS SOCIALISM

“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money”
Margaret Thatcher

First of all, I want it to be clear that I am a dyed in the wool Capitalist. (What a surprise). I subscribe to this line of thinking because I think that most of the world’s problems and darn near all of its opportunities are best addressed by good old fashioned American Capitalism.

That being said, I think this country is marching inextricably towards socialism. The funny thing is that almost everyone knows it’s the wrong direction to go, yet we find ourselves marching, no racing, to the same inevitable conclusion. (Maybe if we close our eyes and don’t acknowledge it as socialism, it will be somehow better)

I have to admit that I’m at a loss to explain the deep seated need to continue on this path, especially when history and world events warn us ..”Do Not Enter”. Perhaps we secretly feel that we don’t really deserve the prosperity and life style that we now enjoy. It is our solemn duty to self destruct by moving away from capitalism and into the waiting arms of socialism. Or perhaps, maybe we are in a 200 year cycle that swings from left to right. Maybe Al Gore can tell us, it is as inevitable as “Global Warming”. With all joking aside, I feel that by inching towards socialism, we are heading towards a “Financial and Political Ice Age”.

At the very root of the problem, the forces that are “driving the bus” down this slippery slope are Government, Taxes, and Dependence.

Big Government: to the extent that it needs socialism to help perpetuate itself. Quite simply the more people that are dependent on the government, the more power and money that government is afforded.

Taxes: Are the tool that the government uses to feed the fire of socialism. Since government does not create any wealth on its own, it used the tax system to create funds and distribute (actually re-distribute) wealth. We (the government) know better how to use these funds than the people who created the wealth. They can not be trusted to be the executors of their own destinies. Take from the rich and give to the poor….sound familiar?

Dependence: (as in the opposite of independence) In the simplest terms, the American public is becoming more dependent on the government, politicians, and the health care system. Rather than solving our own problems we are looking for assistance. The current huge bailout programs will make us more indebted and beholden, to an ever more powerful and intrusive government.

Is socialism something to be feared? Not necessarily. Is it something to be avoided? Most definitely. Socialistic programs are designed to help people, to take care of people, but at what cost? In my mind it is like grading an exam on a curve. No one really looks bad, or is allowed to fail, but it also rewards mediocrity and puts everyone at the same level.

There are many well meaning politicians that espouse these views, they want to help the masses, and they have good intentions. It’s also been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Many of these same politicians are extremely wealthy individuals. They have made their fortunes under the capitalistic system and a turn towards socialism will have little effect on their fortunes or that of their heirs.

I caution you that this road we are taking, will lead us to a place that is not good for our country. The consequences of our actions today can not be easily reversed. We need to carefully reconsider what we term as basic human rights and entitlements. Let’s not become a population lulled to sleep with government programs, handouts and easy solutions. Let us avoid an ever increasing tax on the finite and dwindling base of productive individuals and companies. If we ignore the warnings and persist on this path, we will break the back of American Capitalism, and in doing so, rob future generations of the prosperous and free America we all grew up in.

Please feel free to contact me at pooritalianboy@gmail.com

P.I.B.