I used to assume that most Americans understand socialism is an evil, immoral system of economics and government.
But then I'll have a conversation with a younger person who has been taught throughout their life that only the government can spread wealth fairly or that market economics is inherently corrupt.
So, let’s ask the real question: "What does socialism bring us?"
Here are a few things you might like to think about:
-Do you believe in private property?
-How would you feel if someone took yours?
-Where has socialism ever succeeded?
-What does the government do well?
-What does the Bible have to say about economics?
-What did America's founders have to say about economics?
-Is socialism constitutional?
If you answer these questions honestly, you’ll see that socialism is an unmitigated disaster.
Most people believe in private property – especially their own.
Most people don't like having their things stolen. In fact, it's government's job to protect you from theft, not to be the thief.
Most people will be unable to point to a single successful socialist experiment – unless they choose some relatively new Western nation with a "mixed economy." Those include Canada, formerly Great Britain, France and other European countries. Those countries are more aptly described as “Social Democracies” You might even say that America fits this category. It's important to recognize that mere survival as a nation over a period of time does not make for a successful experiment. Socialism, for instance, aims to eliminate or reduce poverty. In none of these nations has poverty been eliminated or reduced as a result of socialist experiments.
Most people recognize that government is necessary, but inefficient. What they might not recognize is that it is also poses the greatest threat to freedom. The more power it has, the less freedom individual citizens have. Government is a necessary evil – something that should be tolerated as a limited nuisance, not counted on for your basic needs.
Most people don't realize the Bible countenances private property. It holds it up as honorable – as long as it does not become a diversion from God, as long as it does not become man's god.
Most people apparently forget what our founders had to say about property. They forget that our Constitution expressly limits the power of the federal government. You could say constitutionally limited government is the opposite of socialism.
It's going to be a painful awakening when Americans see how the country will be under the new Obama administration.
-Wait until you see how expensive "free" health care really is.
-Wait until you see how little wealth you have after they spread it around.
-Wait until you see what it's like to have to ask a government bureaucrat for permission to do things you once took for granted.
That's what socialism brings us. People have to see it for themselves.
They have to experience the misery and the control the government will exert over their lives.
They have to see it with their own eyes to believe it.
Maybe then, we will have a chance to get America back on track.
Maybe then, we will have enough courage and desire to fight to regain what we have lost.
Maybe then, our experiences will protect us, for awhile, from the freedom-stealers.
Maybe then, we will have enough sense to educate our young people as to the inherent evils of socialism – so they won't be fooled, again.
