OK, so I know lots of people of various political stripe, from all the way right to all the way left. No crazies in the current list, but have been there, done that.
I have questions regarding socialism. Now, I'm not a complete dunce on the subject, I have (as previously mentioned) a tendency to hit the library when I want to know stuff. I come home with armloads of books. Really.
I do see the basic appeal of socialism/Marxism/communism/whatever. Everyone is equal and has the same stuff and the same rights, etc.
HOWEVER - while it sounds good on paper, it doesn't implement well. Soviet Russia, anyone?
So somebody, anybody, explain to me this push by some very large groups to rid ourselves of capitalism and go to socialism. Really. Don't get all flame-y, just explain it to me.
Cuz from where I'm sitting I have two thoughts....
1) It sounds like jealousy. Because you rarely (not never, just rarely) have rich people standing up and saying "Yay, socialism is good!" and following it up by "redistributing" their own personal wealth. Mostly it's non-rich types, frequently college age people, who seem like they don't want to work toward their own wealth. They want someone else to hand it to them. Entitled much? Caveat: Yes, I know what I have just written does not describe EVERY socialist. Why the hell should I have to put a disclaimer? Nothing I write describes everyone. Sheesh, get a grip.
2) I forget where I read it or who said it, but there's a phrase that sticks in my head.... "Capitalism is the worst form of (financial structure? something like that), except for all the rest. What is so damn bad about capitalism? Yes, yes, some people take advantage and are horrid greedy bastards. Other than that?
I mean, sure, it would be nice to be handed a million bucks, but that's what playing the lottery is for.
Just as feudalism is great for the land owners, capitalism is great for the capitalists - in other words, billionaires. The idea with socialism is that it's good for the whole of society - i.e., everyone.
ReplyDeleteSoviet Russia is a poor example of socialism. If the people don't have control over the government, i.e. can't vote, they have no control over the economy, and the economy very quickly comes under the control of the state. So, rather than having a wealth-controlled economy, they had a bureaucrat controlled economy.
Check out the European Union nations, esp. Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and France. They have democratic elections that put Canada and the US to shame, enabling actual people to have some influence over government. As a result, you have worker's rights, benefits, and conditions that sound like fantasy to Americans, but at the same time businesses thrive.
Good post, Nat. As you probably already know, I am an Ayn Rand style of Libertarian. My biggest problem with communism and socialism is that the individual gets completely crushed under the government boot. This country was founded on the principles of liberty. If people want to live under the thumb of some socialist or communist government, there are plenty to choose from. They can leave mine the hell alone.
ReplyDeleteThis is where my liberalism falls apart (that and gun ownership)
ReplyDeleteI am a firm supporter of capitalism as LONG as some aspects of it are regulated. Banks being regulated is a good thing- I lost my job a few years back because mortgage industry banks were not and they were doing all sorts of stupid things like, oh I don't know, giving home loans to people who could never pay them back.
Communism and socialism only work well on VERY SMALL scales- say monastaries or hippie communes. :P.
Thanks for the input, guys. I really do appreciate it. That and it's nice to know that someone is reading my babblings.
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