Socialism Looks Good on Paper
My wife and I just returned from a fantastic Caribbean Cruise! If you have ever been on a cruise, you probably noticed that the cruise lines employ people from every corner of the world. On our cruise, we met employees from the Philippines, Australia, South Africa, Romania, Indonesia, Moldova, Portugal, and the U.K. to name just a few. There was one employee in particular that I would like to talk about, because it applies to this blog and the direction our country is heading.
This particular employee’s name is Vasily and he is from Russia. He worked in the cigar lounge and was very friendly. One evening, while I was enjoying a cigar, he shared some of his political views. He grew up in the USSR and has seen Communism and Socialism first hand. I was excited to hear what he had to say. I could sum up what he said in two phrases. The first is, “Socialism looks good on paper but it doesn’t work”, and the second is, “Freedom is great but is also frightening.”
He said that the idea behind Socialism and Communism is great. From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs, seems reasonable and compassionate. Everyone gives and contributes to the best of their ability, and they only use what they need. Everyone should be happy and provided for. The population pools their resources and the government ensures that everyone has what they need. Of course, we all know this did not happen in the USSR.
He said the reason Socialism doesn’t work is because people stop trying to excel. The people are not allowed to keep what they earn, so they eventually stop working hard. He gave me an example, “If you work hard and build 3 houses for your family, when the government finds out, they will take 2 of your houses and give them to someone else they think needs those houses more.” With this example, he hit the nail on the head. If you ever try to succeed or better your situation, the government takes whatever you have that could be considered excessive and not needed to live. Everything is owned by the state or “the people” so anything can be taken from a citizen if the government thinks someone else needs it more. Citizens do not have rights to their own property, because private property doesn’t exist.
Historically, Socialism brings the entire society down. It rewards those who do nothing or very little and takes from those who produce more. Capitalism is the exact opposite. It rewards those who work hard and does not reward those who choose not to work. If hard work is profitable and rewarded, then people will work hard and the economy will grow. If hard work is not rewarded and is treated the same as idleness, what incentive is there to work hard? His view of Socialism reminded me of a quote from Thomas Jefferson, “The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.” Why should we continue to move towards a more Socialistic form of government when the end result can be clearly seen?
After sharing his thoughts on Socialism and Communism, he told me about his views on the freedoms we have in the USA. He explained how freedom was wonderful, but he believed it was also frightening. He said, “In the Soviet Union, if you disagreed with the government and spoke out about it, you would be thrown in jail or killed. In America, you can say almost anything you want, because you have the freedom of speech.” He went on to describe how the freedom of speech frightened him, because someone could say things that might stir the people up and cause violence. He is correct — the freedom of speech (and of the press) could be used to stir up violent action, but the alternative is much worse. Is it better to have the liberty to speak your mind even if it could have negative consequences, or to be thrown in prison if you speak out against the government? His statement about freedom being frightening reminded me of another quote from Thomas Jefferson, “Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.” I don’t mean to imply that Vasily is a timid man, but if you have not grown up knowing liberty and freedom, it can be frightening. Lucky for us our Founding Fathers were not timid men.
Do you believe a majority of Americans have grown timid and would prefer less liberty if it meant more security?
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Posted by: Liberty
Category: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
Tags: Capitalism, Freedom, Socialism
Comments (8)
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October 21st, 2009 at 5:49 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Forgotten Liberty, Robot J. McCarthy. Robot J. McCarthy said: Better dead than Red! RT @ForgotLiberty Socialism looks good on paper doesn't it? http://alturl.com/x2qk [...]
Matt
October 21st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Well said Forgotten Liberty. I too have met people from the former Soviet Bloc. They seem rather critical of Obama and his policies. Seems that they’ve seen them before, and fled from them, only to see them considered here.
Charles
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:14 am
I think it’s hilarious that you good folks really think that our country is going to become a socialist or communist state like the Soviet Union. This reminds me of the John Birch Society idiots of the 1950s and 1960s who thought that they had a communist monster living under their beds, which turned out to not be the case at all as any sane person plainly knew back in those days. Our country has a free enterprise system and always will have a healthy and vigorous one. You youngsters like Liberty who became consciously aware of your surroundings only after 1980 have been deceived up one side and down the other by two-bit political hacks like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. If you had had any of that conscious awareness in the earlier part of the 20th century and had actually lived through and witnessed those times first hand, you would be laughing your butts off (aa I am) at all of the utter nonsense and useless fear that gets posted here.
theLibertyPen
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:54 am
It’s amazing to me, intellectual blindness never ceases to display its disagreeable nature. Its derivation can be debated, but I submit the singular determinant is kaleidoscopic reality. Can anyone truly discount the fervency behind the redistributive measures being implanted within government legislation?
“Our country has a free enterprise system and always will have a healthy and vigorous one.”
Untrue. Shall we have a discussion on economics? Specifically Keynesian models and their applicative attempts to produce market stability. Should we go line-by-line on the failures of excessive government regulation which constricts market viability? Or will I get the usual, “Wall Street” is the devil response?
To discount the progressive left’s intent on restructuring our socio-political dynamic via their own impractical social theory is also inconsiderate. Just look at the people involved and their past histories. To discount that is remarkably stunted. And with regard to the relevancy of earlier 20th century first-hand experience, I find its applicability within the aforementioned context strained at best. But pray tell, utilize your Methuselahic perspective and lead us to verity.
@FL: BTW, I did not know you enjoyed cigars, it’s nice to meet another aficionado.
Charles
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I have lived a long time and have seen many things. I will stand by what I said. On the day our vigorous free enterpise system draws its last breath, I will call you up and congratulate you on your gift of prophecy. However, it would not be wise to hold your breath while waiting because I don’t expect it to ever happen.
Liberty
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Charles,
Our free enterprise system has been under attack since the New Deal. How can you deny this? Is it just your gut feeling our do you have facts to back up your argument?
Charles
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:15 am
I have to hand it to you. You good folks here at Forgotten Liberty are a real inspiration. We’ve been watching the pennies a little closer than usual here at home because of the recession and our lost jobs. Now, I had not planned to make any political contributions to cut some costs here at home, really didn’t think we could afford it. However, Liberty got a little testy with me on the notion that I somehow need logic to hold a “heartfelt” political opinion. Nay!!! I do not. Therefore, in honor of Liberty, I just made a GENEROUS electronic contribution of funds to the OBAMA war chest in specific support of health care reform. I just want to make it perfectly clear that this donation would have never been made without the encouraging impetus encountered here. Y’all have a good day now, and I will be out job hunting tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!
Liberty
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:21 am
Well darn, I guess I should shut down this blog because Charles has made a generous contribution to Obama and he says it is my fault. However, since he said he doesn’t come to his political beliefs through logical deduction and facts how can I be certain that his political contribution is because of my political views? Maybe tomorrow his gut will tell him to donate money to St. Judes or the Red Cross?
Charles, do you realize that you are coming across as a child who, when told his dad isn’t the strongest man in the world can only reply with “nah ah, my daddy is the strongest because he is”? Or to put it in more current terms it would be like me saying that Obama has committed a felony and should be impeached. Then, if you ask to provide evidence for my belief I reply with, “It’s my gut feeling and I don’t have to answer to you!” A reply like that would only make me look foolish and my argument ridiculous. You would then probably call me a stupid ring-wing extremist nut job (oh wait, you already called me that). It’s your right to keep your head in the sand and refuse to make informed political decisions but I cannot, in good conscience, do the same. I love my country dearly and take my right to vote seriously. That is why I educate myself on the issues and know what I believe and why I believe it. That way I know which political candidate best represents my beliefs. If I voted based on my gut feeling I would feel I was violating the principles our country was founded on. Ben Franklin said, “This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins.”
James Madison said something along the same line, ” …a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
Feel free to give as much money as you want to whomever you want. Unlike most liberals, I believe that your money belongs to you and you can do whatever you want with it. I would rather you give your money freely to Obama then to have it taxed away. If you would like to give some more money away I know a great charity that helps treat children with cancer. They do wonderful work and would appreciate a donation.
Good luck on the job search.
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