Where Are We Going?

Where are we going?

What is socialism?
Socialism is:

Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved.

The word Socialism was first used early 1830s by the followers of Owen in Britain and those of Saint-Simon in France. By the mid 19th century socialist reformist ideas where being explored in Britain, France and The United States. The desire was to transform society from a capitalist system to a more egalitarian system where as the pursuit of personal accomplishment, personal achievement and personal success would become subordinate to values as association, community, and cooperation. These were the first community organizers. This is where redistribution of wealth got it's start! It was thought that this system would eliminate conflict, instability, and upheaval. Good intentions.

There are some serious problems with this kind of thinking. First and foremost history has shown that socialism has never been successful. You could argue this point and many do. There are different kinds of methods and types of socialism. Maybe there is one that works better than the others? Modern socialists argue these things all the time. Of course they have their own versions of success and most dictators count themselves successful if they have subdued the people. I don't think the people feel that way and most people that I know who have grown up and lived in a socialist country fought hard to leave and never want to go back. For the citizens involved I wouldn't count that as successful.

So lets take a look at what life would be like if we were living in a socialist nation. The banner will be Solidarity and Common Good. Does that sound familiar to you? Ok, lets look at Solidarity first.

Solidarity: diverse people trained to find "common ground." (The "diversity" is needed to erode the old values) The "common vision" and new values required for this planned solidarity are most effectively planted in minds through strategic propaganda and facilitated group dialogue blending opposing views into an evolving consensus.

Sounds kind of "Hitler ish" to me. Lets meet on a common ground so we can do away with old values and attain a common vision and lets spread that information through strategic propaganda and then get together and come to a consensus. Really think about what that means. Give up your old values and think like us. Do what we do. Think like we think. Believe what we believe. Evolve. Do not think for yourself. We will facilitate your thinking for you and guide you in the right direction thinking like everyone else thinks. Reminds me of a bunch of sheep with a herd mentality.

Common Good: The driving vision of solidarity. American individualism must yield to collective thinking and action. Personal "good" must yield to the "good" of the collective -- including redistribution of resources. Though it sounds compassionate, this process destroyed both Russia's middle class and personal incentive. It left everyone equally poor -- except the elite rulers who controlled everything.

Lets dissect Common Good a bit more. If you are working toward the common good it does not matter how hard you work, you will never become anymore successful than you all ready are. You will probably be poor just like everyone else. There is no need to try, improve yourself or strive for anything better. Your poverty will probably cause you to become depressed. Your creativity will dry up. Since you probably have no other moral compass except state solidarity and you have given up all those old values, your relationships will suffer as you become frustrated at all your suffering for the sake of the state. The likely result would be conflict, crime and immoral acts. Basically the former USSR, only here.

We are currently a free capitalistic society. If you work hard and pay your dues you can accomplish things that people in other countries can only dream of. Conversely, if you don't work hard, if you squander your wealth and are irresponsible you shouldn't be as successful or be compensated equally as someone who has made good choices. The kind of country that President Obama envisions is more of an egalitarian society where wealth is distributed rather than earned or worked hard for. This is very concerning. Fear is the catalyst that is being used to bring about this change and it is unfortunately becoming successful. In addition he would very much like to silence anyone who doesn't agree with his way of doing things, hence The Fairness Doctrine.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Regulation/EM368.cfm

People from across many seas have risked their lives to come here and live the American dream. Many of our forefathers have died to protect what we enjoy today. With the passing of the stimulation package today, the second one, I have to wonder how much longer we will be able to live in a free society. Large government that is controlling and managing our nation's wealth is a risky venture and one I believe will be very destructive to our nation and our way of life. We are risking our freedom and it is a gamble we might very well regret.

Ronald Reagan said:
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

and

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help."


God bless.