In reply to the argument that a little bit of socialism is good so long as it doesn’t go too far, it is tempting to say that, in like fashion, just a little bit of theft or a little bit of cancer is all right, too! (Ezra Taft Benson)
I know some may bristle when I say that I believe socialism is in America's current political system, but there are reasons for me believing so.
When the government can directly confiscate an arbitrary portion of my earnings (via the income tax), that's socialism.
When the government has arbitrary authority to regulate all aspects of my life (what I eat, the car I drive, the clothing I wear, the place I work, ad infinitum), with unelected bureaucrats doing most of the decision-making, that's socialism.
When the government makes it nearly compulsory to get a Social Security Number and then “contribute,” whether you like it or not, to this retirement program every time you get paid, that's socialism.
When the government discourages wealth creation by punishing the wealthy for being wealthy (i.e. higher income tax bracket), that's socialism.
When a huge percentage of the populus receives money from the government without paying any, that's socialism.
When the government forces me to be charitable by deducting money from my paycheck for medicaid and medicare, that's socialism.
There are opposites to all of these: a respect for private property rights, including the fruit's of one's labors, should be primary. Freedom, in other words, and liberty, should be the principles upon which our government is based. Charity becomes a private matter, between individuals and God. Economizing and exchange should be minimally regulated, if at all.
The opposites:
When the government allows me to keep all of my paycheck (the fruits of my labors), that is freedom.
When the government regulates itself heavily and only intervenes in the lives of its citizens as specified in the Constitution, that is freedom.
When the government allows me to withdraw from contributing to (or benefiting from) Social Security, that is freedom.
When the government encourages the wealthy to keep their wealth and save or invest it in as they see fit, that is freedom.
When taxation is minimal, funds only those Constitutionally-authorized government functions, and never singles out any class or group of people unequally, that is freedom.
When the government encourages private donations and contributions by not creating and supporting a dependent underclass, that is freedom.
Notice the Republicans are doing nearly nothing to counter the major socialist influences in America. We need a freedom party, a Constitution Party, a Libertarian Party, and a Campaign for Liberty.
Chris Reeve is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He currently resides with his wife and two children in northern Ohio. Visit Chris’ website Mormon Paleo Thought.
