Socialism isn’t Scary Anymore
For years, the right wing has been successful in labeling the left as socialist. From their ideological pure perspective, this seems perfectly natural. If you believe that capitalism and free markets will solve all problems and that “Government is the problem”, then anything that limits capitalism or expands government must be socialism and that, of course, is un-American. In election after election, enough of the country believed the fear mongering, erred on the side of caution and voted Republican because that seemed like the safer, more American choice. Even when they lost the battles over Social Security and Medicare, they still won the public relations war and labeled themselves as the rational, reasonable alternative to a liberal, rapidly expanding government. In many respects, they always have been the party of no. No new taxes, no new government programs, no new regulations. Now, however, the playing field has changed. Many Americans have seen business fail to live up to its obligations to act responsibly and are looking towards government not as “the problem” but as “the solution” to the problem. In other words, socialism isn’t scary anymore.
The Republicans, however, have not fully realized that yet. Even Tim Pawlenty, the supposedly moderate voice of the Republican Party, went on FOX and labeled President Obama a socialist and claimed he had destroyed the United States. From most of America’s perspective, however, it was George Bush and big business who just about destroyed the United States. America has entrusted President Obama and government to help fix it. If you label him and his attempt to make government a more responsible participant in the economy as socialist, then you are only making socialism a more acceptable alternative to the blind allegiance to capitalism that George Bush and the Republican Party adhered to even as this country’s financial foundation was sinking. If George Bush fiddling as Wall Street burns represents unfettered capitalism, then give me Obama and socialism any day.
Hi Mike,
You write so well! – in really easy to understand fashion.
Some thoughts:
I think the thing I try to keep in mind is that nothing is black and white. The world is shades of gray. And it is constantly changing. The political playing field is one of those things that change. If something worked before, it might not now and vice versa. Anyone or any party which is ideologically stubborn enough to ignore the ever changing world around them cannot survive. They are bound to become extinct.
Change is a reality to be embraced, not scoffed at. It is my sincerest hope that the Republican Party survives and thrives and is a healthy competitor to the Democratic Party. A third party may even emerge. Healthy competition would create good checks and balances to ensure we don’t move to close to Communism or Fascism. In my humble opinion, somewhere in the middle is best.
Also, purity is a concept probably best left for the element charts! We are melting pot of people from all nationalities. So, too, our government is a hybrid of democracy, capitalism and socialism. And it will likely change 10, 20, 50 years from now based on the current political complexion both at home and abroad.