RANGER AGAINST WAR: Socialism Creep <

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Socialism Creep

 ~It's important to get with the majority, isn't it?
That's... oh, that's a big thing nowadays,
isn't it, Reverend? 
~That's all there is, is the majority.
The minority must have died on the cross
two thousand years ago 
--I Am the Night (The Twilight Zone)
__________________

This socialism creep is not that weird little neo-Bolshevik at the cafe.  Instead, it is the reality of modern America which most Americans fail to grasp. The bumper sticker "No Socialism for America" on a local merchant's vehicle got Ranger thinking on the topic.

  • The U.S. tax code is Socialism in action. Property taxes are Socialism.  Redistributing the wealth to pay educational costs for (often) non-homeowning baby producers.
  • The Department of Veterans Affairs medical system is socialistic (though it is lauded by most as being a paragon of efficiency.)
  • Military service itself is pure socialism -- it is distributing the duty to those who cannot afford to avoid service.  If military service were democratic then citizens from all strata of our society would serve equally (which is not the case), and capital would provide neither an escape route from service, nor an incentive to enlist.  Since we have socialized the requirement, we provide socialized medicine for the veterans. 
  • Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is Socialism.
  • Pell Grants underwriting college education redistribute wealth -- isn't that socialism?  For that matter, public schools are also Socialist.
  • State-run Lottos are Socialist, if not very fair. 
  • State hospitals for the mentally infirm are Socialism, as are state-run "old soldiers homes"; our society would be much the poorer without these safety nets.
  • National disaster relief is Socialism, as is the Centers for Disease Control. 
  • Even organized religion is an exercise in Socialism: Jesus died for our sins in order to redistribute the assets of heaven, and not on a meretricious basis. 

Strangely, we champion capitalism and democracy when even our banking system is based in socialism.  The United States socialized the debt of the errant banks in 2008 and underwrote the results of their ineptitude, greed and resultant financial shortfalls with U.S. taxpayer funds.  The U.S. socialized the debt while ensuring the privatization of the profits from the governmental bailouts.

Isn't the concept of Federalism actually socialist in basis? Doesn't the Federal government redistribute the wealth of the richer states to the poorer?  Doesn't Alabama, Mississippi, etc. benefit from this socialism? 

If our citizens would stop to think for the time it takes to belch, maybe they would realize that socialism is the reality and the answer, rather than the problem. In addition, most of our major NATO allies are Socialist states; why are they allies if we are so opposed to their way of life?

When FOX news et. al. fashion socialism as the devil it keeps the plebes in line, keeps them feeling a faux solidarity against a chimerical enemy.  For example, the U.S. outspends twelve other industrial nations in healthcare, but our level of treatment is inferior.

Ours is a mangy Socialism: All of the calories, little of the nutrition. 

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8 Comments:

Blogger Grung_e_Gene said...

The members of the political divide who scream about Kenyan Marxism or socialism don't understand what they are talking about. It's not they are stupid, it's that they've allowed liars to pollute their brains.

What the Toxic Conservative and Right-Wing think tanks promote is Corporatism and Neo-Feudalism.

They benefit by helping enforce the control of the Nation by the Plutocracy. And many are happy to fasten the chains of Corporate Bondage and Wage Slavery upon their own and their fellow Americans' necks.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 3:52:00 PM GMT-5  
Anonymous mike said...

Kick Alabama and Mississippi out of the Euro Zone, ooops I meant Dollar Zone.

I am getting sick and tired of half of my federal taxes going to subsidize their right wing fascism. Let them pay their fair share and stop getting $1.50 back on every $1 they send to Washington while my state only get back 50 cents on the dollar.

Secede hell, we should force them out. Snark!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 5:10:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger Brooklyn Red Leg said...

"What the Toxic Conservative and Right-Wing think tanks promote is Corporatism and Neo-Feudalism."

Right, and somehow the Toxic Progressive and Left-wing in the US are all rainbow shitting unicorns & lollipops? Corporatism and Neo-Feudalism are hallmarks of both parties. Don't be a sanctimonious ass.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 8:39:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger Grung_e_Gene said...

oh boo hoo hoo wah cry moan Brooklyn Red Leg! Take your Both Sides Do It crap somewhere else.

There is only one side pushing to steal social security, eliminate medicare and medicaid and crying about the evils of Marxism.

Sorry Ranger I don't mean to hijack so I'll ignore Bronx Red Ass.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 10:48:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger rangeragainstwar said...

Gene and BRL,
You both are free to express you positions as long as we remain civil.
I'm nothing if not civil.
Gene,
I'm reading STATE OF DENIAL/WOODWARD 06 and i find it remarkable that in Rice's 1st meeting with Malaki she likened his job to that of FDR in 1932/33 which was to-you fill in the blanks.
Imagine her using a DEM Prez as her best example. I wonder why she didn't use Hoover as an example??
How's that for snarky?
jim
jim

Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 7:59:00 AM GMT-5  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Off topic, but just wondering if RAW is going to get in on the big Florida python hunt. $1,500 per snake!

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/06/us/florida-python-hunt/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

avedis

Friday, December 7, 2012 at 1:16:00 AM GMT-5  
Blogger rangeragainstwar said...

Avedis,
The only python that i'm interested in is...
jim

Friday, December 7, 2012 at 7:05:00 AM GMT-5  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Better keep that thing tucked away. With all he elmer fudd's taking to the bush, wouldn't want a hunting accident.

Maybe invest in some hunter orange skivies.

avedis

Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 11:36:00 AM GMT-5  

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