Socialism, Socialism, Socialism – The Republicans’ Big Bad Boogeyman
Why is this evil?
The Republican Party’s distorted and aggressive misinformation campaign against the political concept of socialism to promote fear, loathing, and distrust among the American people.
Editor’s Viewpoint:
Why is socialism such a horrible way to govern and so dreaded by the Republican Party…or so they want you to think.
First, what exactly is socialism?
“Socialism is a political movement that centers on changing the economic means of ownership and production. Its main objective is to foster a cooperative economy through the creation of cooperative enterprises, common ownership, state ownership or shared equity.” The Classroom
Now, upon first glance, this “common and state ownership” political perspective gives capitalism and democracy a definite run for its money!
But wait a minute…who’s responsible for our public transportation, water and waste systems? How about our electrical grid, airport, railways, and highway systems? Don’t we, as citizens, pay taxes to cooperatively share and support those kinds of services?
My goodness, is this socialism run amuk!
The Republicans would have you believe so!
As with any political philosophy, there will always be many derivations, perspectives as well as distortions.
We, in fact, are a democracy with a mixed economic/social framework i.e. capitalism and socialism.
France, Germany, the U.K., Japan, Canada, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and India all have mixed economies that fall somewhere along the broad spectrum between the extremes of capitalism and socialism. |
Social economic issues such as income inequality, health care disparities, and homelessness in a democratic society rank high on the policy agenda pursued by U.S. democratic socialists.
Not so much on the current administration’s agenda whose self-serving focus seems to be on everything else financially beneficial to them and not to the American people.
Merging a traditional socialist philosophy within a democratic government culture can present challenges if political parties do not honestly pursue efforts to collaborate and problem solve.
According to Wikipedia, a social democracy is a political, social and economic philosophy that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a liberal democratic polity and a capitalist mixed economy.
In other words, democratic socialists strive to limit social/economic inequality and the oppression of underprivileged groups.
They also work to create policies that will benefit all of America by supporting such issues as childcare, the elderly, healthcare, workers’ compensation, and education.
Our current Social Security and Medicare systems are just more examples of democratic socialism at work in our country.
The next time you hear the Republicans use the word “socialism” as if it was a dirty curse word, just step back and take a look at your paycheck, monthly rent/mortgage, healthcare bills, and your household budget.
Are this administration’s tariffs, wall building, and emolument spending putting dollars in your pocket?
The name of the game is accountability. The whole point of incorporating socialist practices into our democratic capitalist framework is to make your life better.
So, in the future, whenever you hear negativity about socialism or democratic socialists, ask yourself – “is my Congressperson working in my best interest or for his or hers corporate interests?
You might be surprised by the answer if you do a little fact finding for yourself!
Views from every side
(The Washington Post) Regarding David Ignatius’s Aug. 21 op-ed, “Even the billionaires know it’s time to reform capitalism”:The ideas that we in these United States would take care of each other when needed (socialism) and that individuals would be free to own a fair share of the bounty we’re lucky to have been born to (capitalism) are embedded into every important element of our great democracy.
(Bloomberg) Americans are once again interested in debating economic systems. The 2016 presidential candidacy of Bernie Sanders, a self-described socialist, reignited a debate about capitalism and socialism that some believed had died with the Soviet Un ion.
(Townhall.com) In his State of the Union Address, President Donald Trump previewed a theme we are likely to hear a lot about between now and Election 2020. “Here, in the United States,” he declared, “we are alarmed by new calls to adopt socialism in our country.
Stories you should know
Don’t
Do not… meaning your should not engage, deal with, or work for.
Compromise
Compromise is the act of surrendering core values or beliefs in order to achieve a perceived solution.
Evil
We define evil as a deliberate harmful action.
Evil is not an opposing viewpoint or ideology.
Evil is not an individual person, organization, business, or government entity.
However, evil is the premeditated, harmful action done by an individual person, organization, business, or government entity.