Let’s have the socialism talk
One of the interesting back stories of this year’s Presidential race is the ascendance of Socialist Bernie Sanders as the putative front-runner in the Democratic Party’s race to the nomination. To say this has the Democratic establishment in chaos is to understate it laughably.
The leadership is in panic mode, mollified only slightly by Joe Biden’s primary victory in South Carolina over the weekend. By the time this paper reaches newsstands, the leadership might be in hysteria once the Super Tuesday results are in. Polls give Sanders a good chance of gaining hundreds of delegates.
We believe the Sanders ascendancy a good thing. In fact, it has become a good already in that people are finally listening to what he says, and drawing right conclusions. Sanders has gained much popularity as a socialist because he is pushing the right buttons with a rather large minority of the electorate. Young millennials and those in university now are drawn by his mantra of “free.” There will be free college, free health care, a new green deal, etc. Who will pay for this is anyone’s guess. And that is really not Sanders’ strong suit as witnessed by his recent 60 Minutes interview. He doesn’t know.
But what intrigues us about this election cycle is that it will bring to the fore the lie that is socialism, and put it in the public debate once and for all. For decades, socialist theory has been taught in academic institutions. The theory is that socialism is on its face a more equitable and egalitarian system, where people’s needs are met, and taxes are proportioned according to one’s ability to pay.
In reality, the system has not worked, has never worked, and won’t work here. Bring that up to the academic elites and one gets the answer that “it really hasn’t been tried the right way.” The implication is, once its implemented here, it will be done correctly, and will work properly.
Sanders sees the totalitarian rules of Stalin and Castro as inconveniences that have brought a greater good. The fact millions have been slaughtered in the name of the state is an unfortunate fact of revolution. After all kids were taught to read!
Sanders’ supports – many of them – are revolutionaries. James O’Keefe’s Project Veritas videos are stark examples of the type of totalitarian rule radicals hope to achieve. Like the Fascisti of Italy, Nazis of Germany and Red Army of Stalin, those against the new reality will be carted away or eradicated.
This is a discussion we must have. This is important. Those who are supporting Sanders are looking only to what they believe are the benefits – free stuff – of the society, without taking heed to the loss of the very freedoms that allow them to trash the current system.
Socialism has been tried and has been found wanting. Venezuela is the most recent example. Cuba went through the throes of thousands of killings in the push toward totalitarian rule.
Sanders’ ideas might be great for the faculty lounge, but their implementation in the real world has led to the worst slaughter in human history. We cannot have a discussion about the supposed benefits of such a system without acknowledging its failures. We await the great debate.