Socialism. The big, bad word that scares the bejeebies out of conservatives, right-wingers and, well, basically anyone that walks through life with blinders on.
Socialism. There’s not many words that are more feared and hated in America. It’s the monster that hides in the closet of your childhood mind. You’re not quite sure what the monster is about, but you know it should be something to be afraid of. You’ve watched too many Scooby Doo cartoons. You can’t explain the monster, but you know it’s in there. You’ve never taken the time to look at the monster for yourself, but rather have relied on the warnings and whispers of other fourth-graders who tell you the monster is real.
Socialism. Like the monster in the closet of your childhood bedroom, you’ve never stopped to look at socialism. You only know that your friends speak in hush-hush tones and you instinctively feel that it’s something to fear. You’ve listened to Bill O’Reilly and Republicans and you “know” that socialism is bad. You can’t find Ukraine on a map, but you know all there is to know about socialism.
Well, you’re in for a surprise. Those three syllables conjure up views and ideas of Big Brother Government. Those three syllables will tell us what to eat, what to wear, what to buy and what to think. We’ll wake up any day and find our kids in little national uniforms being indoctrinated with government education camps and turned into little robots.
Meat-headed followers of the herd imagine the Democrats running American into the USSR because America will give money to poor people; but these same meat-heads don’t see how giving money to billion dollar corporations is not socialism.
Socialism. It’s scary stuff. It’s going to get scarier. I have some frightening news for you.
Socialism is alive and well in America and it’s been here for decades. Well, that’s not all. It’s going to get worse. Grab a seat and set down before reading on.
The Truth. The truth is you love socialism and you use it every day. Relax. Relax and breathe. It will be ok.
America is still a capitalist nation. In the USA, an individual can still make a gazillion dollars, get a huge tax cut and pay employees peanuts while you as the owner can set sail in your yacht to run from any guilt that may be your inconvenient truth. Don’t freak out — there’s more to come.
America is wrapped in socialism and people like it. Even you! Yes. I know. I can hear your thoughts. You’re thinking that you’re a conservative that believes in freedom, the constitution, apple pie and Mom. You hate handouts and believe in hard work. You believe that government should just move it on over, get out of the way, let you live and prosper on your terms.
You know that all rich people have worked hard and all poor people are lazy. There’s just no way that people could hold down 2 or 3 jobs and work hard, but still can’t make ends meet. You have it all figured out.
But then, even you and your precious kiddies get a little boost from socialism — now and then.
You’re A Closet Socialist. Just think of this short article as an
intervention. Think of it as your “coming-out-of-the-closet” party.
Everyone knows you’re a closet socialist. It’s OK. You’re among friends.
Besides everyone knew about your socialist leanings — except you.
Socialism is Responsible For all This;
1. Military
2. Highways and Roads
3. Public Libraries
4. Police
5. Fire Department
6. Postal Service
7. Student Loans and Grants
8. Bridges
9. Garbage Collection
10. Public Landfills
11. War
12. Farm Subsidies
13. CIA
14. FBI
15. Congressional Health Care
16. Polio Vaccine
17. EPA
18. Social Security
19. Museums
20. Public Schools
21. Prison System
22. Corporate Subsidies
23. Veteran’s Health Care
24. Public Parks
25. Every Single Elected Government Official
26. Food Stamps
27. Sewer System
28. Medicare
29. Court System
30. Bird Flu Vaccine
31. GI Bill
32. Hoover Dam
33. Zoos
34. IRS
35. Free Lunch Program
36. The Pentagon
37. Medicaid
38. FDA
39. Health Care for 9/11 Workers
40. Swine Flu Vaccine
41. SSDI
42. Beaches
43. Corporate Bailouts
44. State Construction
45. Unemployment Insurance
46. City & Metro Buses
47. WIC
48. State Snow Removal
49. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
50. CDC
51. Welfare
52. Public Street Lighting
53. FEMA
54. Public Defenders
55. SCHIP
56. Amtrak
57. NPR
58. Department of Homeland Security
59. OSHA
60. State and National Monuments
61. USDA
62. Government Scholarships
63. Health and Human Service
64. Census Bureau
65. Department of Energy
66. Border Protection
67. Department of Education
68. Secret Service
69. Peace Corps
70. Department of Justice
71. National Weather Service
72. The White House
73. Government
74. The Law
75. Civilization
There you have it. It doesn’t matter who you are. Rich. Poor. Teaparty. Republican. Liberal Socialist. In some way, you benefit from at least one of these American Government Run, Taxpayer funded Socialist programs, laws and agencies.
Don’t worry. A completely socialist nation wouldn’t work. Neither would a completely capitalist nation. I’m just trying to show that the two can co-exist peacefully. I know, because they always have.
I’m a believer in freedom and I believe that options are a form of freedom. Right now, in the USA, I can send mail through the postal service or I can choose a private courier like FedEx.
As Americans who have not lost the ability to think critically, people who think like I do, don’t want a government takeover — we want options. We think that America’s freedoms include the right to be able to select a government health care if we don’t particularly care for our private plan.
If you’re between 18-64, you don’t have any options in health care and no freedom. I don’t understand why some people don’t view this as a corporate takeover of health-care.
So quit spitting out the company line about the monster in the closet. Open the door, talk to the monster and see for yourself. Let’s stop the madness and start a serious discussion about socialism and the role it has in America.
Jerry Nelson is a freelance writer and photographer who covers social
justice issues globally. Busy on assignment in South America, Jerry is
always interested in discussing future work opportunities. Contact him
today at jandrewnelson2@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/13/1370620/-75-Reasons-Not-to-Fear-Socialism
Institutions that use public funds to serve the people …could arguably be deemed “socialist” — include:
- More than 98,000 public schools and about 1,750 public colleges and universities, plus numerous junior colleges, community colleges and vocational schools in every state;
- The U.S. public transportation system (trains, trolleys, subways and buses, including school buses, plus the rails, roads and highways they run on that are owned by, run by, paid for by, and/or heavily subsidized and regulated by governments);
- More than 10,000 public library systems;
- Waste-collection systems across the U.S., which are mainly supported by public funds;
- Almost 30,000 fire departments;
- About 1,000 public hospitals;
- 911 emergency services; satellite communication systems; the backbone infrastructure of the internet; management of the public airwaves for radio and TV;
- Numerous public beaches, parks, forests, recreation areas, nature preserves, reservations and grazing lands.
Examples of public-sector employment areas:
Emergency services
Armed forces
Civil service
There are a number of advantages to working in the public sector, including job stability and the various high-quality benefits packages available. These include excellent retirement benefits and favorable insurance policies. Public employees typically enjoy better job security than private employees, except during periods of major budget cuts. Also, many government positions are permanent appointments once a probationary period has been met. After this period has past, it is very unlikely for an employee to be laid off.
Furthermore, once you have been granted employment within the public sector, it is relatively easy to move from one public sector position to another whilst still retaining the same benefits, holiday entitlements, and sick pay as you did in your previous role. In general, government workers also tend to earn better compensation compared to their private-sector counterparts; however, certain private-sector occupations can earn far more than the average public-employee salary.
Examples of private-sector employment areas:
Financial services
Law firms
Estate agents
Newspapers or magazines
Veterinarians
Aviation
Hospitality
The benefits of working in the private sector traditionally outweigh the benefits of working in the public sector. Private sector employment allows greater fluidity if moving from one job to another. Further still, for those individuals remaining within the same company, it is far easier to quickly move up within a company, as these decisions are made within the company rather than being based on central rules and regulations as stipulated by the government.
In addition to the above, individuals employed within the public sector will find a greater degree of flexibility when obtaining a pay rise, with companies in the position to offer regular pay rises if an employee sufficiently fulfills his or her obligations. There is also greater variety in potential job descriptions within the private sector, given that public employers have a set number of roles to play in society.
However, a more competitive marketplace can mean longer hours and more demanding work environments, compared to the more stable environment found in the public sphere. Public agencies are not subject to the market pressures present in the private sector.
https://www.recruiter.com/i/know-the-major-differences-between-private-and-public-sector-companies/
