Webster’s Dictionary defines socialism as follows. ‘The theory of the ownership and operation of the means of production and distribution by society rather than by private individuals, with all members sharing in the work and the production.’
Socialism has been a dismal failure in every nation that has embraced it. Not only has it failed to bring economic equality, but has ultimately managed to enslave the people to the governments of those nations which have adopted it.
Yet in spite of its sordid history, many within the U.S. seem determined to embrace this philosophy.
When president Franklin Roosevelt initiated emergency aid during the great depression, he not only saved many lives, but also helped get people back on their feet again. This was a unique time in our history that called for such action. However, it was never Roosevelt’s intention that these social aid programs remain as a permanent fixture within our government. Unfortunately, once this Pandora’s box was opened we have never been able to get it closed again.
Today we hear the constant cry that the government should create a job for all. The government should provide healthcare for all, daycare for all, a college education for all, and on and on.
People have begun to vainly imagine that the government is the all-powerful Oz that is expected to solve every problem of society.
Now we not only expect the government to provide a chicken in every pot. We think we are entitled to a stove for the pot, along with the kitchen, and house.
This generation of me first entitlement junkies reminds me of the Seagulls on the Disney movie “Nemo.” Whenever they saw something to consume they would all in chorus cry “mine, mine, mine.”
This socialistic feeding frenzy is creating a distorted kind of Robin Hood mentality among all too many. The only difference is that now it has become politically correct to use taxation to steal from one and give to another.
As if our government has some type of social or moral obligation to take the hard earned profits of individuals and dole it out for every social program imaginable. This practice at its core is socialism.
Though highly unlikely, I believe that we need to begin to dramatically scale back the role of our government by putting more control and responsibility back in the hands of local citizens. This can only be accomplished through reduced government spending, and reduced taxation.
The only way our government will ever reduce its spending, is if we the people stop demanding that our leaders use their influence in office to get all the money they can in order to feed our appetite for government hand outs.
Unfortunately I fear we have become too addicted to easy government money to ever see this happen. Socialism seems so appealing right now, but like every society that has embraced it, there will come a day of regret forever having done so.
