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The failure of socialism is the reason America is doomed

December 11, 2010

The main claim by the socialists for why socialism does not work is that humans are not mature enough yet to embrace such a grand design for society, or in other words, human nature prevents the Marxist dream. In a way they are correct, but they lay the blame on the wrong people in the system.

Traditionally, the average citizen is held accountable for the failures of socialism because we are too greedy and selfish to allow the system to work properly. This assertion could be no farther from the truth. The real problem with socialism, and the reason it will never work, is because of who is in power and how that power manifests itself.

I will start with a quote I have used for the last couple days to describe the basic tenet of socialism, “Work according to one’s ability, receive according to one’s needs.” Now, at first blush, any normal person can see the flaws with this system, because people can control both of the two issues, one’s ability to work and one’s level of need.

We can influence our ability to work a number of ways, many of which are implemented in the quasi-socialist system we have in America. I would bet everyone reading this knows of some anecdote or another of someone purposely getting hurt on the job to claim workers compensation and possibly disability. Or more recently, people purposely passing on a job to stay on unemployment insurance.

And obviously we can influence our need, with a look again at the socialist systems we have in place in the good ‘ol USA. No one can deny our welfare system has little to prevent people from gaming the system – people make sure to remain unmarried, have tons of children, and never get a job. The persons who do so are incrementally increasing their need over someone who is trying to participate in the American system as we all imagine it is supposed to work – i.e. you take care of your own damn self.

Which brings us back to the real failure of socialism – he who determines one’s ability and one’s needs is the person in power. Why do you think bureaucrats in all government are usually insanely rude, whining little weasels who will deny an application for anything just because you forgot to cross a T? They hold the true power. The ability for some worthless punk at the Permit Office to deny you a building permit for any reason is the misuse of power inherent in any system, but more so in socialism, because these people determine how much you should work and how much you should receive for that work.

And as is evident in every socialist country in the world (including ours) corruption is rampant. The only way to get things done in a system like this is to grease some palms, or do some favors, or know someone.

Karl Marx was not stupid. People like to attribute his writings to some social genius chilling out writing about a Utopian system of government, if you believe that, you are a complete fool. He knew where the power in the system resides, and he even accounted for it. The Dictatorship of the Proletariat he called it. Basically, until humans were pure and unselfish enough, they would need “the state” to rule them. Does anyone actually think Marx believed humans would ever be pure and unselfish enough for his system? Of course not.

Do not be fooled America, we are living under socialism lite as we speak, which is why our system is crumbling. The Dictatorship of the Proletariat currently exists in the ruling aristocracy in Washington and our State Capitals, as well as the faceless bureaucratic minions who all receive much better benefits than the average citizen.

John F. Kennedy started the ball rolling by allowing government employees to unionize. LBJ encased the system in stone with his Great Society, and Obama is driving the spike home by his humongous increase in Federal power over our lives.

I don’t know how to defeat the system, because the aristocrats are doing so through “legal” methods, it has been an ongoing bloodless revolution against the original American system that has led to our prosperity. They are winning, and America is losing. Not one politician is free from blame because they are all witting participants in the problem.

Unfortunately we are too far gone to reverse course. We talk about repealing Obamacare, or “fixing” social security and medicare – those aren’t the problems, they are the symptoms. The problem is the supposed “power of the people” in America no longer exists. Our government is not ours anymore, it has been taken hostage by robber-barons whose only goal is to dumb us down, give us carrots, and ultimately stay in power. Vote Democrat, Republican, Green, whatever, its all the damn same.

America is doomed.

18 Comments leave one →
  1. December 11, 2010 5:53 pm

    They are right when they say that socialism goes against human nature. Humans generally resent and react negatively to being taken advantage of. Socialism/communism has only worked and will only work when it happens from the bottom up. The only successful communes that I am aware of or small religious sect, such as the Amish, the Mennonites, and I believe there is still a group of American Sikhs north of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Also somewhat successful were the Kitzbahs (unsure of spelling) in Israel. Every attempt to implement socialism from the top down has been a dismal failure for all the reasons that you iterated.

    • December 11, 2010 9:01 pm

      I can’t speak to the other examples you give, but the Amish give you the choice of staying in the community once you are an adult, which means the only people that participate in the community choose to do so.

  2. December 11, 2010 6:09 pm

    At this rate what nation isn’t doomed? China maybe? Most nations (likely even China) have some sort of social insurance system, often more generous than in the US.

    • December 11, 2010 9:07 pm

      I meant America as it was once known is doomed. Communism works through a whip only, as the “success” of China can attest to.

      And “social insurance” isn’t the damn problem. Its the mentality that allows people to “choose” social insurance over actually working for a living, and a system that allows them that choice. Humans are interesting creatures, we have a tendency to choose the easiest path in life – amazing how government programs always give us an easy choice, the only tough decision is giving up your pride and individuality. Once you make that first choice, the next one is so much easier.

  3. LD Jackson permalink
    December 12, 2010 7:13 am

    They system is certainly being gamed, as you call it. I knew of one person who cut his own thumb off in order to gain compensation from the company and to receive disability. He said later that it was worth the pain of losing his thumb.

    The problem with the system that we have today is that those who have legitimate needs seem to have a terribly hard time getting the help they need, but those who are willing to do the gaming can get just about anything. I have seen that happen more than once.

    Until we get rid of the sense of entitlement in our country, we will probably lose every battle we fight to change the situation.

    • December 12, 2010 11:49 am

      If you actually help the people who need it, then you no longer have pster children for the “ills” of the American system. Our lords need the homeless, sick, and impoverished to prove the old system is broken.

  4. December 12, 2010 7:58 am

    We have been slipping towards socialism for many years now. It has been a slow incremental process, but it has been done on purpose and it has been done to ensure that the left in this country remains in power. They do not care what happens to the country as long as they get to control it. This process has been sped up by the Obama regime and we must begin to reverse this trend before it is too late–if it isn’t already.

    • December 12, 2010 11:52 am

      Unfortunately I am over just blaming the left – I think they are all guilty. All of them get richer in office, have multiple homes, receive insane perks way above their position, vote for their own raises, bring home the bacon, spend half their term campaigning, and truly only care about being re-elected.

  5. bunkerville permalink
    December 12, 2010 9:00 am

    We were blessed with great natural resources which few countries enjoyed in their development. This is the place where others aspired to, because they had an opportunity to participate in that wealth. It has now become much more difficult to participate in that opportunity.
    Having had a business, the inspections, taxes too numerous to mention, regulations, threats of lawsuits, makes me think that the sun has set on what made us so great.
    When I saw a congresswoman attack anyone who might inherit wealth as someone who is evil, I knew indeed we had lost our way.

    • LD Jackson permalink
      December 12, 2010 9:02 am

      When I saw a congresswoman attack anyone who might inherit wealth as someone who is evil, I knew indeed we had lost our way.

      I think your statement says it all. There is no logical reason for it, but that is the way a lot of people feel. I wonder how we traveled down this road so fast and so far?

      • JustFacts permalink
        December 12, 2010 4:26 pm

        But yet, the patriarches of the “left” ALL inherited their wealth (i.e., the Kennedy, the Rockefellers, etc.). Just more hypocrisy by the mouthpieces of socialism.

      • December 12, 2010 5:23 pm

        It’s amazing how when you inherited your wealth you don’t have much respect for money.

    • December 12, 2010 11:53 am

      Yes, America is becoming very anti-business. Well, anti-new business.

  6. December 12, 2010 12:51 pm

    Human nature is why socialism doesn’t work. If people were perfect we wouldn’t need a government, or traffic lights. Capitalism forces people to seek out their own advantage but, in doing so, this helps other people. So if you start a store and succeed you do so by having products people want, good prices, and good customer service so you will retain your clients. You are doing all of these things for a selfish reason (make money) but those very things you are doing also benefits the community. Socialism appeals to the worst parts of mankind, namely laziness. That is why it never works.

    • December 12, 2010 1:36 pm

      Ayn Rand couldn’t have said it better, excellent comment. =)

  7. Ryan permalink
    December 19, 2010 10:13 pm

    I am only 15 years old and can already see the B.S that is happening here. It’s funny, after reading this thoroughly I can honestly say I agree with most of this, and that is not just because I come from a Republican family. My father is hardcore right and obviously influences my opinions, but not to the extent of which I’m incapable of creating my own opinions. Unlike him, I understand the thought process of democrats. They care about the welfare of the people. I also understand that they take things too far, and as you mentioned above it is taken advantage of. It’s also funny that when you disagree with their polices your branded with the Republican cliche of a southern in-bred hick who hates the government. I’m not very religious, I live in Maine, and believe in a strong government . I have always had an interest in politics, ever since the age of 12 anythings besides C-SPAN that was relating to politics was watched. In fact, my ultimate goal in life is to become a representative or senator for my state, someone with strong morals, common sense, and a no B.S attitude. I guess the bottom line is that I am not tainted along the path to my ultimate goal, and can keep my values. Thumbs up for the article.

    • December 19, 2010 10:17 pm

      Hey, thanks for visiting and commenting.

      It is refreshing to see someone of your age interested in America. Too often we are shown how ignorant of the ills facing us our youth are. I will grant it can be funny to see college students not be able to point out America on a globe, but it is also sad, and makes us older crowd a tad frightened for the future. It is fantastic to see some of the future generation showing they know what is important.

      I wish you good fortune on your goals – stick to them and make them happen!

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