It has always amazed me that there are some members of our citizenry who advocate for Socialism. A picture has been painted for them of a Utopian society where the government takes care of everything, and whatever you need and want is free. That would include housing, food, medical care, and education. So, who pays for all of this? This question is never answered because these purveyors of false dreams have no logical answer. The naïve, low-information, individuals who buy this garbage do not realize that with Socialism you give up your freedoms. After all, Socialism is the baby brother and/or sister of Communism.
Socialism is not what it has been advertised to be. It is not a wonderful way of life. In many instances it is truly hell on earth. Here are some of the basic principles which include a classless society where government controls all production and distribution of goods: absence of private property; state-control of industry; capitalism and competition are frowned upon and not permitted.
In short, the state controls what you do, where and how you live, what you eat and how much you eat, what kind of medical care you receive, what is being taught in the schools and universities, and eventually, what you are allowed to say and what you are not allowed to say. Certainly not the life of a free and independent thinking person.
In New York City, 28-year-old Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won a primary against a ten-term New York Democrat named Joe Crowley. This was for a Congressional seat in Congress. Ms. Cortez is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and a former campaign organizer for Bernie Sanders. She ran on the following platform: Medicare for all; full funding for public schools and universities with all student debt cancelled; universal jobs guarantee; housing to be considered a human right; reform of the justice system, and end the war on drugs and demilitarize police departments.
Under immigration reforms she advocates abolishing ICE and maintaining open borders. Some are hailing her as the future of the Democrat party. If that’s the future for the Democrats, then they are slowly, but surely, committing political suicide.
Let’s consider the track record of Socialist countries around the world. The citizens have lost their freedoms and live in horrible conditions. The economies of these countries have usually failed and there is often chaos, strife, hunger, and tyranny. The misery seen in places like Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea, Russia, and China, says it all.
Then there are the failed Socialist healthcare programs seen in Sweden, England, Canada, and our experience with Obamacare. I see nothing good about Socialism, which eventually evolves into Communism. It is not the paradise that has been painted by those who want to transform countries.
Last word: Yes, Socialism sucks, and we must NOT allow our country to slide into that disturbing abyss. We are most fortunate to live in a republic and should not only cherish our freedoms but fight, if we must, to keep them.
Image: photo credit: enrico.pighetti Santa Clara via photopin (license)
