Weekly Opinion Editorial
by Steve Fair
Socialism is defined as a political and economic theory of social organization which
advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be
owned or regulated by the community (the state) as a whole. Capitalism is an economic and political
system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners
(individuals) for profit, rather than by the state. Because modern education has failed to
honestly teach the youth of the United States the difference it now appears
that socialism is the economic system most preferred by women ages 18-54. In a recent Axios poll, 55% of the women
polled said they would rather live in a socialist country than a capitalist
one. The same poll had 40% of the
respondents- of all ages and demographics- supporting socialism over capitalism.
First, polls are not always
accurate. As the saying goes, “figures
lie and liars figure.” Four in ten
Americans don’t support socialism. That number
is seriously inflated, but the number is higher than 20 years ago and growing. When a self-proclaimed socialist like Bernie
Sanders can pack out an 80,000 seat football stadium promising free stuff to
young people, America is in trouble.
Sanders’ idea of who is going to pay for the free stuff is not plausible. There aren’t enough rich people to pay for
all that ‘free’ stuff.
Second, socialism, as an
economic system, is not sustainable. Dr.
Anne Bradley with the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, says the
elimination of supply and demand pricing is how Venezuela got to their impoverished
condition. “Eliminating prices and making things free or nearly free is the
fastest road to poverty and ruin. Making
something free doesn’t make it less scarce.
It just means we have to find other ways to finance those free
things. Fluctuation in pricing are
powerful market signals needed to control supply and demand,” Bradley says. Socialism removes much of the incentive to do
more than the next guy. Productivity goes down under a socialist system.
Third, socialism is not
American. Our country was founded on
individual rights and individual property ownership. In the past 100 years,
those rights have been whittled down by an overreaching government, but America
is still one of the only places in the world where a hard working person can
enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Fourth, socialism is not
Biblical. Throughout scripture, God commands
people to work, take personal responsibility, and to be good stewards of their
material possessions. Laziness is
condemned. Hard work and productivity are
praised. Early church members sold their
possessions and placed them into a common treasury, but it bore no resemblance to
modern day socialism. Their motive was
the spread of the Gospel.
Socialism has gained a
foothold in America due to three factors: (1) Immigrants coming to America from
socialist countries, (2) Millennials who believe the American dream is dead,
(3) An overreaching government that discourages individual initiative.
Bernie Sanders is not likely
to be elected president, but his fiery evangelism for socialism started a
grassroots movement that is not likely to be stopped. Conservative capitalists better hope for a
preacher with the same passion, otherwise America, as we know it, will be
doomed.
2 comments:
I want to thank you for the insightful article "There is No Free" published this week on the Washita Valley Weekly. I couldn't agree more that Socialist ideals are a poison to this country and we must all do everything we can to educate the next generation about the realities and downfalls of following idealistic models that offer false promises of fairness. You see, I was born and grew up in Cuba; a self-proclaimed socialist country. As such, I know firsthand what is it like to live in a society where the absurd reigns and everyone nods when told to; a socialist paradise. When my family immigrated to this country, my father was so grateful he refused to accept foods stamps because for the first time in his life he had a job that actually allowed him to feed our family with his own salary. I joined the United States Air Force two weeks after turning 17 and it's the proudest thing I have ever done. I'll admit I barely spoke English at the time; a disadvantage I have worked very hard to overcome. I volunteered for both of my deployments; one of them to Baghdad; much to my husband's disapproval. You see, this country is now my home and I have worked very hard to belong here so it matters very much to me which direction we all go.
I'm sharing these details with you in hopes that you understand precisely what you article accomplished. You made a point that socialism is unsustainable; and while you almost had me convinced that I need to go vote for you on the next election, you intermediately turn around and blame me and mine for spreading it to this country. You have just alienated someone who practically shares the same views as you because you are unable to control the impulse to blame others for something you don't fully understand. I assure you, there are many like me who despise socialism because we actually know it.
Immigrants are not the reason socialism has gained popularity in recent years. Immigrants, by definition, leave their countries in search of a better way of life. Also, Bernie Sanders is not even an immigrant. Misinformation, false advertisement, and a lack of education are to blame, in my humble opinion.
We all need to take a long hard look at what is happening in this nation but more importantly, we need to put some effort into understanding the source and take some damn responsibility to fix it. If people think the American Dream is dead, let's ask why and then write an article about how to change it.
Sincerely,
A very capitalist immigrant.
"Fourth, socialism is not Biblical. Throughout scripture, God commands people to work, take personal responsibility, and to be good stewards of their material possessions. Laziness is condemned. Hard work and productivity are praised. Early church members sold their possessions and placed them into a common treasury, but it bore no resemblance to modern day socialism. Their motive was the spread of the Gospel."
Steve,
First, this country is not founded on the Bible, or Christianity for that matter.
Second, Socialism is not laziness.
Third, Jesus was a Socialist. When Jesus fed 5000 with fish and bread He "took" the bread from a boy, he did not ask the boy if he could have the bread. He then multiplied the food and fed 5000 people, He did not ask if they had a job first, He simply fed the hungry. Jesus cured the sick and even rose a man from the dead without question.
Time and Time again you are commanded to help the poor, sick and hungry. Jesus said "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Furthermore, you being a Christian float through this life on Socialized Salvation. You did not earn God's Grace, you don't even deserve it. Jesus paid your bill so that your preexisting sick/sinful soul could have everlasting life.
Think of your body as the country, your hand and feet are different, but you'd hope that your hand would reach down and help your foot if it needed help, yes?
That is socialism, Steve. It's helping those who need help, the exact way that Jesus helped you.
Thank you,
Well Informed
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