By Jim Heffernan
I’ve been thinking a lot about “socialism” these days. It seems to be popular as a form of mud-slinging in some circles.
When I was 6 years old, President Harry Truman had this to say about socialism.
“Socialism is a scare word they have hurled at every advance the people have made in the last 20 years.
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called farm price supports.
Socialism is what they called bank deposit insurance.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
When the Republican candidate inscribes the slogan “Down With Socialism” on the banner of his “great crusade,” that is really not what he means at all.
What he really means is “Down with Progress–down with Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal,” and “down with Harry Truman’s fair Deal.” That’s all he means.”
What Harry Truman said 74 years ago was true then and is true today. There are a lot more things like Obamacare and subsidized childcare that might make today’s list. Socialism still is used as a “scare word” and is greatly effective with some people.
Our aversion to “socialism” has led to at least two problems that are uniquely American.
If you live in Singapore or South Korea, Sweden or Slovakia you will never worry about “medical bankruptcy.” Their governments provide health care programs that prevent such a thing from ever happening. A lot of people call that “socialism.” It’s not “socialism” — it’s just a government decision about using tax money to pursue the “common good.”
If you live in Sweden or Slovakia, Great Britain or Italy, you will never feel pressured to borrow exorbitant sums to finance your education. The government will make education affordable. A lot of people call that “socialism.” It’s not “socialism” — it’s just a government decision about using tax money to pursue the “common good,”
Socialism is not about the government giving back to its citizens. Socialism is when the government takes control of farms and factories. The best example of socialism was our cold war adversary, the U.S.S.R. ( Union if Soviet Socialist Repuublics). The break-up of the Soviet Union in 1989 was more about the failure of socialism than anything else.
I think I smell socialism in our own country now. The government has recently invested $16.545 Billion in 10 companies and probably more that Forbes doesn’t list. $9 Billion is in Intel. That’s a 10% share and makes the government Intel’s largest shareholder.
When we’re cutting back on health care, why are we spending so much on stocks? I don’t think it’s for the benefit of you and me. I suspect it’s for the benefit of the drumph family, Jeff the Bozo, Elon Moneybags and people like them. I know it’s not for the “common good.”
As always, discussion welcome at codger817@gmail.com
