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One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. -- Plato (429-347 BC)

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Socialism vs. Capitalism... And the Winner is...

Just too good to excerpt! Bobby Eberle, GOPUSA: America is a great nation, not by luck or chance or geography, but because of the American spirit... the belief that we can accomplish anything if we work hard. Those who fought to create this new country believed in limited government with unlimited potential for its citizens. Capitalism was the key. By letting free markets work and keeping government out of the way, Americans have the opportunity to grow as much as their drive, determination, and intellect will take them. That is the American way.

As we all know, the American way is under attack. It is under attack not from organizations like Al Qaeda or the Taliban and not from countries like Russia or China. It is under attack from within... from those elements that seek to bring America down through socialist policies. With the combination of liberal bombardment at most of America's universities, a left-wing media, and a federal government led by Obama, Pelosi, and Reid, we face a challenge like never before. It is socialism vs. capitalism, and socialism is gaining ground...

In a stunning new poll released by Scott Rasmussen, the pollster asked a simple question, "Which is a better system -- capitalism or socialism?" In response, only 53% of American adults said capitalism. Yes, that's a majority, but this is America, right? The number should be much higher. Twenty percent of the respondents said socialism is better, while 27% were not sure. Not sure? Do these people have no grasp of the countries that have turned to socialism? Check out this classic video by economist Milton Freidman:

What is really scary is to look at poll results below the surface. As Rasmussen tells us in his report, adults under 30 are "essentially divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided." This is truly frightening. For those under 30, it's basically a toss up? Capitalism, socialism... socialism, capitalism... who cares? That is the attitude, and it's one that will drive this country to ruin.

When looking at the poll results from a partisan perspective the differences are clear. As Rasmussen notes, "Republicans -- by an 11-to-1 margin -- favor capitalism. Democrats are much more closely divided: Just 39% say capitalism is better while 30% prefer socialism. As for those not affiliated with either major political party, 48% say capitalism is best, and 21% opt for socialism."

In a well-written piece published in 1999 by the Heritage Foundation, author Balint Vazsonyi does a terrific job explaining the American way and the path to socialism. Vazsonyi describes the "Constitutional compass" which has the following four points: Rule of Law, Individual Rights, Guarantee of Property, and Common Identity.
Here is how it works. Every time somebody proposes a new law, a new statute, or an executive order, you ask whether it passes muster when held against the standard of the Four Points. The answers are easy, because either they do or they don't. If they don't, then they have no place in the United States of America. Without that compass, what would make us American?
Vazsonyi goes on to describe "the other compass," one that is being seen more and more in American society. It is one in which the four points of the Constitutional compass give way to four others: "the pursuit of social justice; instead of individual rights, it promotes group rights; instead of the guarantee of property, it advocates redistribution through entitlements; and in place of our common American identity, it favors what it calls multiculturalism." The new compass, comprised of social justice, group rights, redistribution, and multiculturalism has a name, and that name is socialism.
Socialism, I believe, is the appropriate, scholarly, utterly unemotional designation of a grand philosophical idea in Western civilization. Ever since Descartes started thinking about thinking, and other French philosophers followed in the 18th century, and then Germans picked it up where the French had left off, socialism has been in the making. For a long time, then, socialism has been with us as "the other grand idea" of Western civilization, and it will remain with us as long as there is an "us." It deserves to be taken seriously, and it needs to be engaged on philosophical grounds. In every sense of the word, it holds the opposite view of everything this country was built on.
Investors Business Daily also recently put out a poll showing the numbers of Americans who embrace a socialistic agenda. With the government and the media bombarding Americans on the virtue of income redistribution, government-run health care, and on and on, it's now wonder this mindset is starting to sink in. We have to do a better job of letting America know what the "American way" really is and reveal the true agenda of Obama and his cohorts. As Vazsonyi notes in his report, "Millions of ordinary Americans appear to have accepted, and to be promoting, the socialist agenda. There is every reason to believe that many minds would be changed if they were brought face-to-face with socialism as the doctrine they are following and advocating."

I can't help but be sad and frustrated that the Republicans helped contribute to the state we are in now. People are turning to socialism simply because they wanted "change." Yet, they have no idea what that change really means. The Republicans were in control and had the opportunity to really set forward a conservative agenda that is based on the principle of capitalism. Yet the lure of big government and power stalled the movement. Policies that gave us even more spending and more government were the result.

We are at a crossroads, and we must fight to get America back on track. The American way is not an easy way. No one ever said it was. It's not about what the government can give you. The government can't give a person ANYTHING that it does not first take away from someone else. The American way is about respecting the rights of the individual and promoting an economic and political system that has opportunity for all. Obama may be ashamed of that America, but it's the America I believe in. Don't you?

Tags: Bobby Eberle, capitalism, GOPUSA, Milton Friedman, socialism To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Posted by Bill Smith at 1:00 PM - Post Link

7 Comments:

Blogger Stogie said...

"We are at a crossroads, and we must fight to get America back on track. The American way is not an easy way. No one ever said it was. It's not about what the government can give you. The government can't give a person ANYTHING that it does not first take away from someone else. The American way is about respecting the rights of the individual and promoting an economic and political system that has opportunity for all. Obama may be ashamed of that America, but it's the America I believe in. Don't you?"

My response: you bet! Socialism is a perennial disaster and will lead to shortages, poorer quality of goods and services (when you can get them), less freedom and less prosperity for everyone except the permanent welfare class.

Don't give up the fight, and congratualations on a very well done blog.

4/11/2009  
Anonymous Foxwood said...

It's a crying shame our education system can indoctrinate our children so easily.

4/12/2009  
Blogger Danny Vice said...

Are American's becoming socialists? I don't believe so.

I do believe that a growing number of Americans have no idea what real socialism is. Browsing around - I've seen hundreds of definitions for it, few of them accurate.

"spreading the wealth around" is not socialism. That's simply screwed up taxation.

Socialism is when government takes ownership completely away from a business owner and then decides what everyone in the company should make.

And we are indeed headed that way.

When government officials - like Obama or his underlings - presume to fire a CEO and hire someone in it's place...... an act that has no basis in law..... you are well on your way to socialism.

When banks beg to give bailout money back - but the government tells them they cant.... That is socialism.

When the government begins deciding what executives in a company can make... that's socialism.

All of which have transpired in the past few months.

So the American people are going to have to decide if they are truly ready to become a slave to the state.... To be controlled, owned and rationed by the state.

How is that freedom?

Would you rather fail as a free person..... or just get by as an owned person.

That choice is here.

Danny Vice
http://www.theweeklyvice.com

4/13/2009  
Blogger Becky said...

After intense research and reading "The 21st Century Economy—A Beginner’s Guide" by Randy Charles Epping, I have to agree with you that socialism is a disaster.

4/29/2009  
Blogger Unknown said...

no one here knows what they are talking about... absolute capitalism is a failed system as seen in history. absolute socialism is impossible to attain. everyone here failed to mention mixed economy

5/05/2009  
Blogger Bill Smith said...

You now have the "opinion" of 'francisco": who surely must know more than Milton Freidman and all the economic experts at The Heritage Foundation. Obviously they - "no one here" - "knows what they are talking about." Sure :) If "francisco" had not led with this comment, his second would almost make a point when he addressed "pure socialism" and "pure capitalism." But I would now like to see his detailed historical analysis to support prove his point and relevancy to Bobby Eberle, GOPUSA article.

5/06/2009  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The problem with the ideals espoused by Republicans in favor of a continuing society based on capitalism is twofold.

First and foremost capitalism is centered around production and the free marketing of that which is produced, and we are up to our eyeballs in stuff! Our focus is on making more and more money by producing more and more things. How many houses can you remodel? How much bigger can TV sets get?

I believe that young people are embracing socialistic values because capitalism has run its course in the US just as it has in Europe. So,European societies have moved more to the left because they have learned through experience that there are larger principles that they can promote and strive for. So what, they give a greater percentage of their income to help those in need. Their lives are just as good. True, I probably would not be thrilled to have my income taxed at a higher rate, but the truth is, I have a great life. More abundant than most people in the world. What do I have to complain about?

Secondly, capitalism would not be getting pounded like it is if greed, corruption and dishonesty had not become the mode of operation.

In conclusion, I like capitalism, freedom, transparency in government. But what is wrong with the old principles that our forefathers also lived by- honesty, integrity, honor, compassion, duty, and self-sacrifice.

Yes, our forefathers founded America on capitalism, but they also lived by an inner code of adherence to certain basic principles and ideals, and that sadly, is what is missing from our society today. Let's get back to basics.

5/12/2009  

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