The Socialist States of America

Sir Winston Churchill  said, “(Socialism’s) inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.”  To this Margaret Thatcher added, “The problem with socialism is that at some point you run out of other people’s money.”  Shared misery and not enough “other people’s money.”  Doesn’t that sound like the agenda the United States Congress has for us?

Congress unashamedly follows the advice of socialist Norman Mattoon Thomas who said, “The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism.  But, under the name of ‘liberalism,’ they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.”  

Years ago, famed economist Milton Friedman was asked if the greed he saw in our economic driven society gave him any doubts about his faith in capitalism. He answered that all societies operate on greed and it is misleading to claim that other types of societies do not.  Greed,  political or economic, drives all societies.  Communist leaders were just as greedy as our political leaders.  And our political leaders are just as greedy as the most avowed capitalist.

Our socialist leaning liberals condemn economic greed as inherently corrupt; persuaded political greed either does not exist or is somehow better.  Guess what?  They are wrong or lying. 

Greed is neither good nor bad.  It just is.  It can lead to dishonesty, either economically or politically; neither is immune.  Greed is nothing more than doing what is in an individual’s own best self-interest.  And it motivates all societies.  Capitalist, socialist, Marxist, communist, dictatorship–all led by greed. 

Our leaders claim they are unique in history, above the pettiness of greed; their motives pure and their actions only in the best interest of others.  They are here to take care of us, if only we will give them enough of our money to do so.  They pour out their heart-felt understanding of our problems, while spending “other people’s money,” convinced there is no end to the supply.       

Wait a minute.  If socialism creates such a wonderful society, where are the success stories?  As Stanford University’s Thomas Sowell said, “Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it.” 

Further, it is the capitalists, not the socialists, who usher in the great advances; capitalists like Henry Ford revolutionizing the automobile industry.  Was he motivated by a government bureau outlining what he should do for society; or was he motivated by economic greed? 

Greed motivates people to work harder and do more.  Greed stimulates people to risk and to build.  Greed breeds innovation and invention.  Greed is the mother of achievement.

Further, just where are these beneficent people, those with a true calling, those selfless people who have no greed and will take care of us?  Who in our Congress has ever managed our money well?  What programs have they created that work well, work efficiently and remain economically sound?  Would you trust them with your business?

Lawyer and statesman Dean Alfange summarizes:  “I do not choose to be a common man.  It is my right to be uncommon if I can.  I seek opportunity, not security.  I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.  I want to take the calculated risk, to dream, to build, to fail or succeed.  I refuse to barter incentive for a dole.  I prefer the challenges of life to a guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia.  I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout.  I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.  It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself; enjoy the benefits of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, ‘This I have done.'”

The opportunity and risk of an economic driven society or the shared misery of a socialist society.  Our choice.

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