We’re hearing a lot about the evils of socialism. We’re hearing a lot about the evils of capitalism. Are we here for the good of society or for the good of ourselves? Are we to work as hard as we can for the good of the whole even if it is to our own detriment? Or are we to be rewarded directly for the work we do, regardless if we contribute, and even if we are detrimental to society as a whole?
My guess is that neither sounds like a good alternative. Socialism taken to an extreme stinks. Capitalism taken to an extreme stinks. Either way, things get smelly.
Most readers have an idea of fairness that is somewhere on the continuum from socialism to capitalism. As such, your belief likely includes some minimum responsibility to society as a whole. Given that, who decides how much is enough? I find that most want to help those they feel sorry for, but want someone more privileged to pay for it.
“Tax the rich,” is the mantra, but it is a dangerous one. After all, to those of lesser means you are considered rich. Where do you draw the line? The debate now is whether to ensure everyone has ready access to healthcare. If you can’t afford the insurance, then we’ll tax those who have excess to help those less fortunate. But why stop there? Many recent high school graduates were unable to attend the colleges of their choice due to expense. Many more weren’t able to attend college at all. That just doesn’t seem fair. So let’s take finances out of the equation. If you can get accepted to go to a college but can’t afford it, we’ll get someone who earns too much to pay your way.
These days it is hard to imagine how someone can succeed without being knowledgeable and comfortable with technology. People are detrimentally affected if they don’t have a computer and high-speed Internet connection. Sure they can go down to the library and use the computers there, but let’s be real, that’s rather inconvenient, and they don’t let you hog the machine all day. Why not provide people who can’t afford a computer of their own a decent machine and the Internet access to go with it?
Before you think this is all tongue-in-cheek, realize that proposals like these have already been made, and in one or more areas of the country they are already in place. Most of these were set up by states, communities, schools, or philanthropic groups. But to take the programs national will take the resources of the federal government and access to the taxes it levies.
If you think these and other programs like them are a good idea, don’t just think so, let your congressman know. If you think this is nuts, let him know that as well. Just sitting back and complaining will only raise your blood pressure. And you’ll get stuck with what the rest of us decide.
Lean to the left or lean to the right. At least we’re a democracy, so we get to collectively choose for ourselves which way we lean.
