14 Reasons Socialism Won’t Work in America
Written on January 25, 2012 by David L. Goetsch
In Part Three of this series I explained the broad philosophical problem with socialism: its fundamental premise that state control is superior to individual liberty and economic freedom. In this installment I explain what adopting a socialist system would mean to Americans in practical terms. After completing this installment, the reader should be able to explain to young Americans why socialism is a flawed concept whether viewed as an economic system, a worldview, or in practical terms. Not only does socialism not work, it cannot work because of the following shortcomings:
- Replaces the family with the state as the central unit in society
- Undermines the family by redistributing its wealth and indoctrinating its children in government schools
- Allows legalized theft in the name of redistributing wealth
- Encourages sloth instead of productivity
- Rewards irresponsibility, laziness, and poor accountability
- Encourages self-indulgence instead of self-reliance
- Encourages finger pointing and shifting of responsibility to others
- Replaces the self-discipline of delayed gratification with the need for instant gratification
- Undermines the values that are the foundation of the traditional work ethic (i.e. thrift, diligence, self-reliance, self-discipline, responsibility, accountability, deferred gratification, and hard work) and replaces them with an entitlement mentality
- Treats those who contribute to the betterment of society the same as those who do not, even when they are capable of doing so
- Promotes a get-something-for-nothing mentality that undermines the moral character of the individual and society
- Robs people of initiative, drive, and ambition
- Undermines the spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and competitiveness
- Promotes totalitarianism, thereby undermining freedom and liberty
In a radio broadcast prior to the British general election of 1945, Winston Churchill said this about socialism: “…A socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom. Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and…worship of the state. It will prescribe for everyone where they are to work, what they are to work at, where they may go and what they may say. Socialism is an attack on the right to breathe freely.” (From Friedrich Hayek: A Biography by Alan O. Ebenstein, University of Chicago Press: 2003). Well said Mr. Churchill.
What’s So Bad About Socialism? (Intro)
How Do You Define Socialism? (Part 1)
Beginnings of American Socialism in Public Education? (Part 2)
Socialism’s First Casualties (Part 3)
|
|
|
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged featured, perspective. Bookmark the permalink.
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Did you attend high school?
daves is a “Stool Pusher”
And apparently is illiterate because history has proven that Socialism has never worked anywhere at anytime ever…at least on this planet.
Socialism does work in western Europe where Socilist govts became more popular in the post WWII era. Especially with rebuilding of the Marshall Plan & Uncle Sam’s military umbrella over the last 2 generations that subsidizes their societies.
As Margret Thatcher said,
“Socialism works fine, until you run out of other people’s money”
He’s a libard democrap plant. Just ignore him. He isn’t worth your time.
Some people still have their heads in the sand. They believe everything they see/hear on CNN and other gov media.
The whole country has their head in the sand! That’s why the country is lost!
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
@ daves the “Stool Pusher”:
You need to wake up from your Marxist controlled dream and study “ALL” the facts of living in a Socialist State (by any name) and living in the Land of Opportunity.
So why don’t you move there?
I did. What is your point?
Bailouts a little bit socialist–A Little Bit! Come on! They were a whole bunch, and should have never been done.
Check out Senator Obama’s voting record in the Senate. I believe he voted for the same bailouts that he complained that Bush was for.
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
The only SOBs worse than Clinton are Carter and the Kenyan.
I guess Obama was against the bailouts before he was for the bailouts.
LOL
You can’t tell these morons the truth!
i only need one reason, and its not listed above, socialism has never worked before anywhere, anyplace, or anytime!!!
Soviet-style socialism had over 70 years to get it right, and socialist not only failed, it fell flat on it’s butt. COMPLETE flop, no ifs, ands or buts about it. If the definition of insanity is trying the same failed actions over and over and expecting a different result, socialists are the most insane SOBs ever put on earth.
* encourages sloth & loss of productivity
* promotes self indulgence
* treats those who contribute the most to the betterment of society the same as those who do not. (the mediocre)
My former work place was a microcosism of what is wrong with socialism. I would see staff members who would get & stay on light duty & get a 100% paycheck for doing less than 50% work. They held full duty positions while the muscular aspects of the job was done by the remaining full duty staff including the mandatory overtime(s).
viz: hospital patients are not like a 9 to 5 factory job where you can turn off a drill press at the end of the day & go home.
The hardest, most conscientious workers got the same job reviews as the sloths, which drives home the last point cited above.
Needless to say, morale was in the pits & the only thing that kept some of us going was our own intrinsic values.
I blame management more tha the sloths for allowing this situation.
Moderated again.
Did I hurt someone’s feelings?
LOL
daves
If that________ ill leava that blank stay in office it will become that way.You dumb a–.
Daves, did you even read the article?
Yes – the author uses examples of how the Soviet Government worked – not how Socialism is outlined.
I prefer my tax dollars are not redistributed to wealthy in the form of subsidies.
It is funny how our most Socialist state (Alaska) is a red state.
daves;
You are not only a “Stool Pusher” but you are true nutjob.
Please wake up from your dream or move to your most favorite “Socialist” state for one year and then tell us what you think.
Me?
Vietnam – 18 months
England – 4 months
Sweden – 6 months
Holland – 8 months
Finland – 4 months
Denmark – 2 months
Italy – 12 months
Germany – 12 months
Russia – 6 months
Latvia – 8 months
China – 4 months
Japan – 6 months
Honduras – 6 months
Sri Lanka – 4 months
Columbia – 6 months
Albania – 8 months
…Plus additional countries.
No! Nothing beats the American Republic and the Capitalistic Free Enterprise System.
the fact that you deem AK a “Socialist state” makes it obvious that you have no idea what socialism is
Daves: David Goetsch is trying to get Gingrich or Romney nominated for the socialist leadrship elitest of the republican party. He is trying to mislead you into believing that since socialism can never happen here, it matters not who becomes president. For the last 80 years (I’v been fighting it for 60 yrs so I know he’s lying) socialism has taken two steps forward, one step back, over and over again until we now have Obama. If Romney or Gingrich is elected we’ll go deeper than we are into socialism. Socialism is an economic form of government, whereby the government must own and/or control completely the economy of the country. What do you thinkl its doing now? Reelect Obama, or elect another republican Obama like Romney or Gingrich, will this give us back our freedoms, our Republic for which it stands (ridding us of democracy), and our Constitution. No it wont. Read the following:
http://www.4rie.com/rei%201.html thru 207.html And: http://www.4rie.com/mainindex.html
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
That speech last night was the same thing he has said over and over for the past three years. It was nothing more than campaigning and it was BORING! He keeps telling the American people all this crap and has done nothing about any of it. JOBS, AND THE JA TURNS DOWN THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE. Wants to raise the taxes on those that already are paying the most and how many people PAY NOTHING. He wants equality for everyone, my ____! Why doesn’t this lying AH donate some of his money to pay down the debt? Why doesn’t this jerk pay for his own vacations the same way as everyone else instead of using our tax dollars for fantastic rates for a hotel, servants, Airforce One, etc? This was just another DUMB SPEECH!
I pretty much knew what to expect, and didn’t waste one second on it.
I knew the liberal media would rehash and rehash it all day long the day after. and that too was boring.
I didn’t even bother watching that libtard love-fest, cause I knew it would all be the same old lies he’s been telling for 3 years.
If I really WANT to be lied to, it would be from an attractive woman, not a African hairless monkey. Curious George, Jr.
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Not sure of what wierd world you are living in.
There are a LOT of people that not only don’t pay taxes, they actually get more money back than they paid in.
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance , and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” Winston Churchill
Socialism is a Sarcophagus surrounding humam spirit.
PS: Which explains why Nitka Kruchev wrote in a speech, ‘The Cult of Individulim’
“The nations of the west are obcessed with individulism”
I guess those very same people didn’t watch his 2010 and 2011 SOTU addresses.
Play them all side by each to the 2012 speach and they are almost 99.9% verbatum……….word for word. He said the same exact stuff last night that he said in the 2010 and 2011 SOTU addresses. He depends on the public being ignorant!!!
@ nvrpc
Ok, I get the sarcasm.
Last night’s speech was just a rehash & recycle of his speeches of the last 3yrs.
All you need to know is that he is a master at “using” the language of the Right, while implementing the policies of the Left.
Socialist-progressives will become whatever they have to become to get what they want. Lie, cheat, steal, kill, misrepresent. Hey! Am I talking about progressives or muzzies?
Yeah, Hitler had charisma too & we see how well that worked out for Germany. After all, Nazism was a form of Socialism. Hitler nationalized industry to support his War Machine, murdered literally millions of people (Jews were NOT the only people affected, even though they were hit hardest), lied/cheated/stole Germany’s Democratic system right out from under their noses, undermined & destroyed their system of law-making & installed tyrannical totalinarianism…
Gee, that’s what’s happening in America today, isn’t it? The bailouts in our country that went to financial institutions, “green energy” companies & manufacterers were loaded down with a lot of provisions & sanctions; Nationalizing them in all but open admittance to the reality. Nazism didn’t die out with the Third Reich; It was merely “immigrated” to the Soveit Union & the USA & you only need to look up “Paperclip Project” to see how that happened.
Gee…Who would have ever thought that it could happen ANYWHERE else, yet again & even so soon after the WORLD reeled in disbelief at what Hitler did & screamed “Never Again!”
Welcome to the Fourth Reich, brother!
Seig Heil!
GOD HELP US ALL
VERY insightful nvrpc. The people who write on these blogs actually believe other people in America pay attention too. This is the republican fallacy and why the democrats walk all over us every time. Even when we elect republicans, they end up doing what the democrats want.
So, all these people want to nominate a republican candidate who can “beat” Obama because they think people will pay attention to what Obama has done and the republican will get elected. The ONLY way Obama looses is if we nominate someone who has a messge the people will pay attention to. Freedom and the Constitution.
Ron Pauk 2012 – The R3volution
Then you must like socialism because that is what you will get…or worse.
The only BS I heard last night was from obama. All he did was repeat everything he said before he was elected. Same old s-h-it.
He has to go or America is down the tube.
Well, it is quite clear that when a person works hard for something, he or she, feels good about themselves and takes pride in what they do. When you work hard for something that you want, it is yours to keep and you like the feeling of working hard to earn what you have. If you fish for your meal every day, you eat better. If you depend on someone else to take care of you, you lose your pride. It is more like this, I know what is best for me and you know what is best for you but neither one of us knows what is best for each other. We are all individuals!!!!!!!!
Years ago I had a judge in a civil situation tell me that my children belong to the state.
I told him: “Then the state be damned.”
You should have seen him come unglued.
Liber-alism leads to the tyranny of collectivism and the flip side of that same coin of Libertinism is Liber-tarianism, which leads to the tyranny of Anarchy.
I much prefer what Reagan called the 3-legged stool of conservatism, i.e. STRONG social, fiscal, and national security…
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
I’ll give you one. It does NOT work anywhere.
The American Left thought it worked in Western Europe. With Ireland and Greece bankrupt and Spain, Portugal, and Italy on the same trajectory, the Left cannot argue it any more.
In addition to what the author cites, the fact is eventually other people’s money will run out, to paraphrase Margaret Thatcher. (BTW, I think we should confer upon her honorary American citizenship to honor her as the Queen conferred honorary knighthood upon Ronald Reagan.)
If socialism is so wonderful, then why does it fall apart so much?
Liberalism is about redistribution, from those who create to those who do not. It is a pretty term for thievery. It is inevitable that, in the desire to buy votes, the thieves will steal more than the system can survive. This produces a crossroad where the electorate decides if they will allow themselves to become serfs, or they will reform their government and end the thievery.
Mr. Goetsch you just described Obama to a T. I believe Obama’s a Marxist, so I’m not sure what the Marxist mentality is compared to that of the Socialists, but you’ve pretty much described Obama’s policies and rhetoric!
Thanks, much needed before the big election!
I consider socialists as communists with more patience.
THIS SOUNDS LIKE BARRYS VISION OF AMERICA
truth is if socalism is left unchecked it will destroy itself, look around,you wont see a socalist country invent anything. they have a cheap workforce. and once the workers find that they can exist without working they do. in sweden which is commie to the bone,80% tax so if you earned 30grand you get 6 they can afford to give u lots of tyme off work,they dont pay you anything,it all goes to taxes. if you need healthcare in a hurry. sorry get on a waiting list.
I don’t think socialism necessarily destroys itself – it destroys the people subjected to it. The elites who are getting preferential treatment will keep it alive because it keeps the “masses” down and under their control. Tyranny is tyranny. I’ll bet a lot of people in Europe would tell the crazy American libs just how crazy they are.
Maybe the American conservatives should pay more attention once one of their guys gets elected.
We don’t pay 80% taxes in Sweden, that’s just a lie and clearly you have know idea what you are talking about. The starting tax rate lies between 28%-31% depending on where in the country you live. After that there are a number of tax brackets that increase as you earn more, however no one actually pays over 50% in tax. Furthermore Sweden lacks, for example, inheritance tax. In other words we are not a communist state, nor are we a socialist state. We are a welfare state, with a political model built up over the last 100 year that ensures every Swedish citizen free healthcare, free education (including at university level etc.), social security, greater civil rights and a less corrupt judiciary and governmental system. This welfare state has in turn allowed use to surpass the US in life expectancy, happiness, quality of life,cleaner air, less crime etc etc etc. In short we are very happy with our system so please refrain from getting us caught up in your crack-pot discussion, and do try to remember that the rest of the world thinks that the average american votes is a psychotic idiot just because of comments like the ones in this thread that. Clearly none of you know what the political theories you mention with such ease actually stand for, and please, will you guys once and for all stop claiming that Obama is either 1) Not an american citizen 2)Muslim 3) Socialist. He is clearly none of the above…
J. Larsson… How dare you look down your nose at us!!!! We don’t care how your country operates. Most of us will never set foot there. If you think so little of us, why do you think that poeple are willing to risk life and limb to come here???We have enjoyed FREEDOM since 1776 and we don’t intend to give it up .. We have saved so many people from opression throughout the years, sacrificing our own for the sake of less fortunate people and never took anything in repayment except for maybe a plot of land to bury our dead…So don’t think you are so superior .. Now, if you are coveting our current president, please feel free to claim him for he is equally as arrogant as you. Ann
Whoa, calm down.
He was just explaining the kind of government that his country has because several people had commented that Sweden was (wrongly) a socialist country. He was also associating the term “welfare”, a term that most conservatives in America find repugnant, to a positive social structure, so that some of the people here can see how it can work in a well-adopted manner.
Shannon… Good for him… However I am not interested in how thet do it in other countries. I am especially not interested in how they do it in socialistic countries. Right now, our country seems to be fighting for it’s very exiatence, so welfare states and socialist type governments hold no charm for me…. Of more concern to me are the countries who are falling on their socialistic faces and will probably take us down with them.
This President does not represent anything my family and I stand for. He is anti-American, he exports our jobs and allows ILLEGALS to take those that are available, he sends OUR money to other countries to boost their economies, he sleeps with terrorists, he sues states for upholding laws that are on the books that he does not deem necessary, he disrespects the flag, national monuments and the military, he has de-friended one of our greatest allies in Israel, he forces the country to accept his biased Obamacare and then gives passes to corporations who either donate to his campaign or that hire ILLEGALS, he regulates industry to the point of destruction, ad infinitum…. and then he blames everything else for his failure.
This traitor quit representing the Great United States of America the day he started appologizing for her greatness. He has done nothing but trample our country, our flag, our history, and our Constitution all of his life, while living off our our tax dollars. It isn’t the color of the skin, it is the lack of Red, White and Blue!
“The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America . Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president.”
JUNE9245: well said and if the masses do not wake their stupid ass.s up we will be in for another 4 years of this if we can last !!
I could not care less what he believes, or dosen’t believe, I just want him out of the White House before he completes his destruction of our Republic. I do not get the impression that the people who leave messages here understand what is going on, or what it means. They make inane remarks as though it is a political game that will continue, more or less, as it has in the past. Save your country VOTE against Obama!
Red?
You said a mouth full, (in my best Stymie voice).
I believe the 2012 elections will go down in history.
The question is simple.
Do we the people wish to remain freemen?
Or
Will we become slaves of the state?
THAT, my fellow Americans…
“When the government’s boot is on your throat, whether it is a left boot or a right boot is of no consequence.” – Gary Lloyd
My objections to Obama have nothing to do with his race or his country of origin, everything to do with his character, his policies and his inner circle of friends and associates.
Check this video out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28
Dave,,,
You’re wrong. Did you know that 70 of our Democratic Congressmen belong to the Amercan Socialist Party? All President Obama can talk about is redistribution of wealth one of the principles of Socialism take from the rich and give to the poor. Obama is trying to get our guns another principle of socialism disarm the citizens. Obama goes around Congress and the Constitution if he believed in democracy would he be doing these things. Obama was raised by Communist parents he doesn’t believe in our Constitution and he side steps it at every turn. Look at his friends and advisors all far left activists. If we don’t get rid of Obama and his minions the next 4 years will be a nightmare. Obama couldn’t do everything he wanted to do because he still needed to be reelected.
The next 4 years under Obama will make these 4 years seem like a picnic. Obama has to be stopped at all cost or we’re finished. Checkout UN Agenda 21 this is supported by Obama, Clinton and most of the Democrats. We didn’t sign the Kyoto Accords yet Obama ordered his Administration at the a White House to follow it. He is acting like a dictator not a president. Check out the Education System in this country they are brainwashing the children starting in Kindergarten telling them that their parents are wrong. Telling them that Homosexuality is OK and that they must agree no matter what their parents say. That’s what is done in socialist society the government controls everything. I hope I’m wrong but I believe Obama is doing Soros’s bidding and that is a one world government.
Reason #16 – Why Socialism won’t work in the USA: Socialist government has NEVER worked for ANY nation or society at ANY time period in the whole span of human history.
Socialism ALWAYS collapses (or is invaded by foreign powers) by the time the People are no longer capable of supporting a government that’s too big. “Too big to fail” is a lie, a deception, a delusion. It’s contrary to the Laws of Nature.
Recall the Big Fish In A Little Pond Syndrome, where one fish eats too much & starves out the Little Fish, growing ever bigger until the Big Fish reaches a point wherein the Little Pond can no longer renew its food supply fast enough to keep the Big Fish alive…The Big Fish first starves out everyone else, then eventually starves itself. In essence, “too big” ENSURES FAILURE, not the other way around. Nothing can survive beyond the limititations of its environment…The government’s “environment” it limited to the People that are able or willing to support it.
The US Founding Fathers wrote & ratified the Cosntitution with the Laws of Nature firmly in mind…This is why the Constitution includes certain, specified LIMITS on government power. For example, some pundits claim that the Bill of Rights is a “list of negative Rights,” but they’re wrong; the only “negative” is the power that government has AGAINST them. They are POSITIVE Rights for the People, NEGATIVE to government opposition.
Islam will take over.
Maybe so. Islam is more than likely the religion of the Beast that will be the world religion at the very end of the world as we know it. And the radicals are smug in their idea that they will win and will be smug right up until their deaths when they will know they have been duped. Then their knees will bow to Jesus Christ, the LORD of all and they will spend eternity in hell instead of with all the little girls they were promised.
Muhammad the pedophile and Isam SUCK!!!
In just a few words let me tell you or show you how well socialism works:
TAKE A GOOD LOOK A CUBA.
Jose…. Yes, down there they all have the same thing…NOTHING!!!
The main reason Socialism doesn’t work in any society larger than 12 or 13 people is because someone has to start making decisions for the group once it gets bigger than that.
When I read this and go through the points one by one it looks like the socialists in power and their minions behind the scenes are well on their way to their goal. I challenge you to pick any one of them that doesn’t describe the attitude or actions of the majority of people in America. It scares me to face the facts and it should encourage all of us to get off our tails and save our country before it’s too late.
Why so many points? One would be more than enough: Socialism never worked anywhere, being kind of perpetuum mobile, which may appear to be working only thanks to some hidden engine. In case of Socialism this machine is called GULAG or, less frequently, HOPE&CHANGE. But the result is always the same, be it USSR, Greece or any other country. Rostislav, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Most dont realize where America has been over the past 100 yrs. or the role of Treasury,IRS, and the Unfederal Reserves. 45% of Americans not paying federal taxes is No big deal by comparison to military bases around the world-spreading wealth;or grants installing Dictators and bailouts through WBO,and IMF.Why do We do business with poor Countries and have trade imbalances?because of the green worthless currency aka bank notes.We have been paying to show Christ the exit,and most are ignorant of the problem, and the process.There is No such thing as Democracy on Alinsky’s scale.Capitalism,Socialism,Dictator,Communism.Christians should return from the “land of Nod”.
There is a 15th reason….99% of the citizens of America will not stand for it and if it is forced on them there will be a civil war that no one can imagine. We are used to our freedom and no socialist sob is going to force it on us. Hopefully those promoting socialism will learn they either need to get in step with democracy or leave and take citizenship in a socialist country and live under what they preach.
Of course socialism won’t work for (the betterment-of) America. That’s why the enemies of America, from the White House on down through the Senate, are pushing it. Their real agenda is the destruction of Capitalist American Exceptionalism.
If WE THE PEOPLE UNITE, THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN, I WILL not give up my RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS FOR ANY ONE, I DON’T CARE WHO IS PRESIDENT, THESE POLITICIANS WORK FOR WE THE PEOPLE!!!!! But we have let them think they can do ANYTHING they want to us, WE THE PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON EVERY AND ANYTHING THEY WANT TO PUSH ON US, WE PAY THEM TO WORK FOR WE THE PEOPLE and if they don’t we have the right to fire them!!!!! IT IS TIME WE SHOW THESE PARASITES WE CAN’T TAKE ANY MORE OF THEIR LIES WE AMERICANS ARE HURTING BIG TIME, WE NEED SOME ONE WHO CARES ABOUT US FOR ONCE!!!!!!! HELP US!!!!!!!!! WE WANT JOOOBS NOW!!!!!!!!!
Wadda you mean, “won’t work”. Everyone of the author’s 14 points are being implemented right now. Obviously, now, socialism is working in America. And it will continue, only worse, as long as we allow self serving, deadbeat social parasites to control the ballot boxes.
@ Daves:
It appears you do not read too well because you apparently missed this part of the article:
In a radio broadcast prior to the British general election of 1945, Winston Churchill said this about socialism: “…A socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom. Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and…worship of the state. It will prescribe for everyone where they are to work, what they are to work at, where they may go and what they may say. Socialism is an attack on the right to breathe freely.” (From Friedrich Hayek: A Biography by Alan O. Ebenstein, University of Chicago Press: 2003). Well said Mr. Churchill
For your information Daves, I grew up in a socialist country and can vouch for the fact that there is a distinction between the elite rulers and the people/slaves.
And btw, USSR translated = Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. So do you think that the people of Russia had a great time living under their despotic ruler?
Actually ‘socialism’ is a step toward communism and a more acceptable term since ‘communism’ got a bad name. The commies decided to change to the term socialism because it would be easier to go undercover and continue their agenda without appearing as threatening. Stealth and patience has obviously been the key.