Posted on 12/13/2001 7:37:16 AM PST by John SBM
Socialism is still a dirty word in American politics. But, like an obese person who looks in the mirror and see a thin reflection denying they are fat, America is in a state of denial. If we look the evidence is there, but rather than admit it we refuse to acknowledge the word. Does evasion of the fact change the reality?
Every major historic period can be categorized by the dominant philosophy of the time. We know them. The Dark Ages, The Renaissance, The Enlightenment. And we know what each label represented as the dominant, generally accepted ideas of the time. These labels are attached however, not during the period, but after, when we can see them in the context of history. Whether we label our current period as Post-Modern or whatever, in historic context it could be labeled as The Altruist Evasion.
Altruism is the dominant, generally accepted idea underlying all of our political and cultural discourse, and it permeates both political parties. The ideas that economic rights are the basic rights of all Americans, that the government exists to promote the welfare of some at the expense of others, that we owe “service” and must “give back” to society – these are the basic premises of every issue. And Pragmatism rules every action – action for the sake of the emotional benefit of action rather than the result. Altruism demands pragmatic approaches, because it is based on emotional arguments and collapses when faced with principled challenges. Altruism is the underlying support for socialism, where group rights are primary, individual rights are disposable.
Take a look. The tax code exists to transfer wealth; the total tax burden exceeds 50% and is the single biggest expense for most working Americans. Politicians gain power through the give and take of economic rights and benefits – look at the economic stimulus debate. We talk of the right to housing, to health care, to prescription drugs, to guaranteed retirement, without ever asking “at whose expense?”
Ayn Rand summarized this very simply – when you abandon one set of principles you adopt another. We have abandoned the principles of individual rights and accepted those of economic rights – the degree of socialization doesn’t change that fact. We can evade the word “Socialism”, but that doesn’t change the reality.
The land grabs in the West, the collapse of public schools, the encroachment of international law, and with it, the destructive tyranny of the environmentalists, do.
Wow, talk about a short answer. Which country spends the most money on social programs?
-USA
FYI, real estate is not another term for actual land. I understand it comes from Spanish for Royal Land. IOW, the king's property...FWIW
Just because we elect our leaders, doesn't mean we are not socialists.
Mail, airports, air traffic control, airport security, highways, education, alcohol (in many states), sea ports, libraries, to name a few of the government owned and operated business.
These are basic industries that do not need to be federally owned. So, think again about socialism. We may not have Jolly Roger candy owned by the feds, but the feds do control the daily aspects of our lives. Also, the feds may and do have the power to own and control any industry it wants. The stroke of the pen is law, today. A non-socialist government has safeguards against federal takeovers, but we do not.
I know a little about the objectivism of Ayn Rand, and I know a little about her personal life. I think it is also a mistake to embrace an idea espoused by a flawed individual as your lifelong philosophy. If her philosophy was so good, why was her personal life so messed up? Are you saying it wasn't messed up? Shouldn't objectivism (the be all to end all for Rand sycophants) have manifested itself in Rand's life in such a manner as to make objectivism desirable for its effects?
You posted an article that uses Ayn Rand as an authority. What makes her an authority? What exactly are the manifestations of objectivism that make it so desirable as a philosophy? What will it do for your life? I really would like to know (honestly).
I couldn't agree more!
I agree in principle, but in the interest of accuracy, most of that list is comprised of local government agencies and special districts. Even regulatory government can be privatized.
YEP, 'fraid so. FREEDOM is an endangered species.
It is now against the law in Galveston TX to leave your keys in your parked car. A $200 fine for doing so. A socialist's state's way of compelling "proper" behavior?
How long before the state makes not eating your vegetables a misdemeanor?
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