Posted on 05/18/2002 1:07:28 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
If put to a vote, Americans would likely reject socialism by a substantial majority.
Those same Americans, however, are voting by a substantial majority to allow governments to acquire more and more land and to tighten the controls on the private lands that remain.
Socialism, classically defined, is "government ownership and/or control of the sources of production." Land is the source of all production. A vote for acquiring more private land by government, or tightening government's control of the remaining private land, is a vote for socialism in America.
Of course, it's not called socialism; it's called "protecting the environment." But it doesn't matter what it is called; the result is the elimination of private property and the transfer of the sources of production to government control. The result is socialism.
Governments already own 900 million acres – 40 percent or more – of the total land area of the United States. Nearly 200 million acres are designated as "wilderness," off-limits to humans. More than 50 bills have been introduced in Congress to expand the wilderness area, and another 50 bills are now being considered to authorize more land acquisition by governments.
States, too, are authorizing land acquisition to "protect" open space, watersheds, shorelines and the environment in general. Not one of the bills is labeled "The Transition to Socialism Act." Nevertheless, each of these bills has the effect of destroying the foundation of freedom in America and effecting the transition to socialism.
Every time private property is acquired by government, tax revenue from that land stops. This forces an increase in the taxes paid by the remaining private property owners. Even worse, the free market is further diminished.
The United Nations believes that government control of all land use is "indispensable." Environmental organizations have convinced the public, Congress and the administration, that the planet is on the brink of biological collapse, and that the only way to ensure a planet for posterity is to stop logging, mining, ranching, driving, boating, snowmobiling, barbequing, eating meat and sweets, and to restore the land to pre-Columbian wilderness and force humans to live in low-rise, high-density, managed "sustainable communities."
This is a socialist agenda. No, thank you – very much!
Instead of plotting to acquire more private property, Congress and state legislatures should be working to divest their massive land inventories. Get government land into private hands – as much as possible, as quickly as possible. Article 1, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution specifies the kinds of assets the government may own; all governments should adhere to this principle.
Government cannot adequately manage the land it owns now. Divestiture could provide a windfall of revenue to build schools, reduce debt or simply refresh the Social Security Trust Fund. Private landowners would happily pay reasonable property taxes. And private owners would undoubtedly "protect" their property far better than the government has protected "public" assets.
The Nature Conservancy and other "conservancy" organizations should be required to pay full taxes on their land holdings. Governments should be prohibited from providing them with grants to acquire private property. Without their government subsidies, their appetite for land acquisitions would likely diminish.
Land – in private ownership – is the foundation of freedom in America. Ownership means the freedom to use the land that is owned. Government control of private land – to "protect" so-called "endangered" species of weeds and bugs – is a feel-good mask that hides the sinister effect of transforming America into a socialist nation.
Socialists have tried throughout the century to establish federal control of land use. This idea has been rejected in the past. Americans have been blinded by the "protect the environment" ruse, and for a generation, have allowed socialism – government land acquisition and control – to guide public policy.
Many, if not most, Americans believe it is perfectly correct for government to own land and to prohibit use of the land to keep it in its pristine condition. Few who hold this belief will declare just how much land is the correct percentage for government to own. Every candidate for public office should be asked to publicly declare just how much land they think the government should own. Voters should make their decisions accordingly.
The rate at which private property is being either acquired by government, or placed under government control, is nothing less than a landslide – a landslide to socialism.
We need to get more organized and not be misinterupted as mouths for big business, but the voice of what is good for the country. If the oil companies gave us what they gave the greens, we'd be a hundred miles into the future from where we are now!
"The
Nature Conservancy and other "conservancy" organizations should be required to pay full taxes on their land holdings. Governments should be prohibited from providing them with grants to acquire private property.
Without their government subsidies, their appetite for land acquisitions would likely diminish."
Land – in private ownership – is the foundation of freedom in America. Ownership means the freedom to use the land that is owned. Government control of private land –
to "protect" so-called "endangered" species of weeds and bugs – is a feel-good mask that hides the sinister effect of transforming America into a socialist nation.
===========================
It's hard to know what to do to reach the sheople. I am only comforted, when I think of the Homeschooling Movement, where parents can teach kids about the Constitution and the truth. I have so much praise for these parents.
Even at just $10,000 an acre (a low-ball figure), that is WAY more than enough land to pay off the national debt and have plenty of money left over for tax cuts AND pork projects.
Why can't the sheeple understand that???
How they gonna understand something more complicated?
Ultimately, the sheeple's literal survival will be dependent on them understanding the nature of government as the evil/guilty value destroyer and the individual as the good/innocent value producer...
Because if they don't figure it out, the end result taken to it's logical conclusion is no more sheeple...
With the federal government owning 75% of the land in California and the good citizens voting in bond measures for more land acquisiton, what choice is there? Stupidity is out of control here on the west coast.
In October,1997 The Energy Dept. announced that the government would sell its stake in Elk Hills. Bids were taken of course, but guess who won......Occidental Petroleum for $3.65 billion.
So the government does divest some property when the need is warranted.
Thanks madfly and JH2....
Thanx ahead of time, for your future neglect.
Actually, I believe matters are somewhat worse than the article presents. Because the city lots that people believe they own have city easements which belong to the collective (i.e., the city) but on which the purported owner must pay taxes. Still worse, when a developer creates a residential community, most have mandatory home owners' associations. These are, again, examples of collective control...right down to the color of the paint one uses.
I recall that communists were criticized for their block watch committtees that would report one to the Party for minor infractions - yet we have precisely this state of affairs in America today.
Socialism...yecch!
We have our work -- and serious work it is -- cut out for us if we hope to roll back the tide of ever-increasing government control of our lives and our fortunes.
“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” [Thomas Jefferson, letter to Benjamin Rush, 1800.]
We will never be a truly FRee people so long as we have the income tax and the IRS.
Click here to help us scrap the Code, scrap the IRS and abolish the VLWC!
We will never be a truly FRee people so long as we have the income tax and the IRS.
You can also click here to sign a petition in support of Fundamental Tax Reform.
We will never be a truly FRee people so long as we have the income tax and the IRS.
Got debt? Sell your assets.
Every American knows that the government is in major debt. Here in California, the state is in the hole for 30% of the budget this year alone. The state is planning to raise taxes, make cuts and sell bonds (more debt!) to fill it. Instead, the government should begin to shed it's non-performing assets and pay down the debt. This will save money being spent on debt service for more essential services. There is no reason for the state to own so much real estate.
Most Americans are now socialists. They have been conditioned to respond the question "Are you Socialist?" with the reflex answer "No!". However, if asked specific questions about Socialist policies they will respond positively. This is largely due to an amazingly effective indoctrination program that starts in early childhood. They are led to believe that individuals are foolish (and greedy) when left to their own devices and unhindered will cause the eventual downfall of the nation. Luckily we have the government to protect us from individuals. The government can collectively manage our resources and protect us from ourselves.
Samples of American Socialism:
Separation of school and state is needed.
All of the 'national socialisms' of the 20th Century were sold to their respective peoples as 'strengthening the nation' and 'protecting the national patrimony' and 'guaranteeing your children's future'.
Whether the language is Russian, German, Chinese or English the message is the same. You owe your life to Society.
That is the first axiom of socialism.
'If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...it's more than likely a duck'.
BAC, Nah. Just eliminate ALL deductions and/or exemptions from the income tax and make it ONE rate for all. Then, unlike the sales tax, EVERYBODY would have the same incentive to keep the rate as low as possible, and government as SMALL as possible. Peace and love, George.
To My Fellow Freedom Loving Americans:
What is the goal of Socialism? That's right, COMMUNISM. Socialim=Communism.
This article ought to be at the top of all articles posted because we are on the "Fastrack" to losing America. Here is a bump to this article and may God Bless each and every one of you.
. . . even had the honor and pleasure of meeting him and getting him to sign a Cap of mine...
The lowest rate for the first ("Constitutional") income tax levied on the American people in 1913 was 1%. Today the lowest rate is 25.3% (10% income + plus the 15.3% employer and employee SS "contribution").
The answer to the income tax question is to abolish the income tax! And the IRS, too, while we are at it!
Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party Presidential candidate.
One day American's will understand the dangers behind such catch phrases as communism, socialism and yes, terrorism. But what lies will they tell their children for being so ignorant, with the Truth all around them?
Our lack of fortitude, is our childrens lack of a future with promise. Obviously we don't look into their eyes enough.
When we finally do, we deserve the emptiness that will look back at us.
PEACE IS NOT ACHIEVABLE WITHOUT SACRIFICE.But that doesn't mean allowing the elites to sacrifice us for their profit, in their wars. It means standing for something and not accepting less from our representitives.They are not geniuses, they are opportunists no different then a car salesperson.
Are they really worth your childrens future?
When do we give up the fast paced life with convenience and voluntary servitude, for a slower more meaningful life of Freedom and Personal Responsibility?
One our children can grow with......
I argree with you about his writing style !
Even Spotted Algore could read and understand Mr. Lamb's articles !! !! !!
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