Redneck Review
No. 30 - 11/16/15
Now might be a good time to ponder a modern puzzle that has baffled me for some time! The growing intolerance of CAPITALISM, and increasing acceptance of SOCIALISM!
Now, granted, capitalism has had its excesses and weaknesses, but that is always true when people are involved with any system. Even the best ball team will have moments when its members screw up and an occasion now or then when the entire team seems to be out of sync and fouling up! But member weaknesses do not and should not be used to condemn the system!
From the very beginning, capitalism has been the driving economic theory in the U.S., and thus a basic reason for our relative young country moving from its humble beginnings a few hundred years ago to become the riches and the most powerful on earth!!
Granted of course, that our political system and the Constitution created, had a lot to do with that progress and prosperity, but it is claimed here that both systems put a great emphasis on the same basic principles, individual FREEDOM being a key to both!
So what is meant by capitalism? A study of economic texts will identify several basic principles associated with that term: 1) The freedom to own property, including private ownership of the means of production, 2) Free enterprise, or the freedom to choose one's occupation, 3) The profit motive, the freedom to enjoy the fruits of one's labor or enterprise, 4) The freedom to compete, and 5) Freedom to succeed or fail!!
When such a system is combined with a cooperating government, a level playing field is promoted and guaranteed, so that all involved will have equal opportunity to select what they choose to do in life and to make a living.
Two things should be noted here. First, the system provides opportunity for all to profit from identifying and satisfying needs of others, while at the same time putting pressure on each individual to make himself of value to them. Second, this means that the wealthiest individual in a community, assuming it is earned legitimately, is the most valuable person there! That person is the one who has best met others needs at the lowest cost!
Socialism on the other hand, wants government, or its central planning committee, to: 1) Own or control the means of production, 2) Determine and allocate the best use of human labor, 3) Equalize income for the laboring class, based on the goal "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Thus it follows that government becomes the major decision  maker in all economic matters!
Careful thinking clearly shows that capitalism is very consistent with our national identity as a Christian nation, obviously true in the beginning, and still so today, though some erosion may be seen in that belief in the last several decades. Both preach the value of the individual, both require love and concern for neighbor, both preach the existence of rewards and punishments for those who abide by or violate basic rules for conduct!
On the other hand, think what the drift towards socialism has done to our nation the past several decades! Has not many of our national policies increased the role of government, promoted mediocrity and dependence on government, and harassed producers???
Jake Wren 

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