Why the Fear of Socialism?

 

A friend lectured her five-year old daughter about sharing after seeing the child act selfishly with a friend.

"I'm going to my room to think about sharing," the beautiful little blond said. About ten minutes later she same back. "I've thought about sharing. I don't wanta," she announced.

Socialism is a form of sharing and it's a word that seems to scare Americans. Just the word falling from someone's lips can change a vote at all levels of governments. Fluoride to be added to the water to reduce dental decay was vetoed in my hometown as "creeping" socialism" is just one example.

Mention a socialistic government and Venezuela dictators are mentioned, never the Scandinavian countries where socialism works to make better lives for all its citizens.

Higher taxes will also be thrown into the horror pile of socialism consequences for those that don't know or understand. Little comparison is done between the amount of taxes paid and the amount an individual would have to spend if they had to pay out of pocket for the same services. 

Okay! Any government system is dependent on the honesty and competence of those elected. 

Socialism isn't communism.

I consider my taxes, which I pay in two countries and it used to be three, my dues to live in a civilized society. What I want my taxes to pay for (not a complete list): 

• Education: I don't care if I don't have kids in the system. Educated people will be my future doctors, dentists, plumbers, teachers, electricians etc. Hopefully they will have been taught enough propaganda-free history to know the truth when it comes to voting and won't be fooled by lying politicians.
• Good roads: Imagine if I had to pay for every road I drove on. I just rode from Toulouse to the French coast on back roads and not a pothole to break my suspension. I never could have afforded that myself.
• Medical: I don't want me, my family, my neighbor or fellow citizens to go without needed medical care. Part of it is selfish. If they have a contagious illness, they can share it with me or my love ones. I don't want to ignore my own medical needs so I can continue to live a productive life.
• Research: I can't afford to do all the research to invent medical and scientific discoveries which I benefit from. I couldn't invent and then manufacturer most of the things I use.
• Food Safety: No way can I go to all the factories to make sure whatever I eat is safe or run checks on things like meat, milk, etc.
• Air and water safety: As an individual I can't run tests on the air and water quality to make sure it won't hurt me.
• Storm damage: Hurricane? Tornado? Flood? Fire? Can I do the clean up myself? Nope. Nor if I can solve my own damage I don't want to live in a ravaged area where others couldn't.
• Fire and Police protection: Security forces for my home as it is to have a private fire service on call impractical.
• Public transportation: Good train and bus services to get from point A to point B easily. 

This is just a start of what I want my taxes to pay for.  They are what makes a society civilized.  

Profit is not a bad word. But hoarding resources and money is bad. We've been propagandized thinking our function as citizens is to consume (George W.Bush told Americans to go shopping). How much of the "stuff" do we have do we really need or want? And yes -- there is nothing wrong with wanting a home, nice car, good clothes but how much are we wasting. Is my closet stuffed while someone else goes without a coat on a snowy day? 

I would never claim socialistic societies are perfect. They are not. But when everyone has the basics it leaves people free from fear. They have the time and energy to fulfill their own private dreams. It means we don't lose talented people because they can't afford the education so they will never be able to diagnose your illness or maybe save your life.

Visit www.dlnelsonwriter.com