On Socialism…

I think we need to slow down a minute before institutionalizing this and that. So, I’m starting a periodic series on socialism. I’ll pick on capitalism later and then on distributivism.

An overall problem I have with those who would institutionalize socialist programs is the accusatory tone they have with their questions (no, I’m not talking about Rev. McCain though he inspired this series). “Don’t you think we should help the poor?” Such questions assume: 1. I don’t care about the poor and 2. I am currently not helping the poor and 3. Other people of my political views don’t help nor care for the poor. Those I assist are often those I love very much and I hate to see my friends and neighbors in need, and sometimes they are those I have no connection to whatsoever, I just want to help people. I don't keep score. I do what I do because I love people, in my own anti-social introverted way.

One of my reservations on socializing this and that is government mandated programs are going to enslave our children in debt, most likely to those who persecute Christians. Well, me too because I still have a long working career ahead of me. But, we’ll focus on our children. Part of being a parent worthy of honor is watching out for the best interests of our children. And, let’s be honest here, Baby boomers did not reproduce at the same rate as their parents did. Let’s take it a step further, they also killed a lot of their offspring as a generation. So, as the Boomers age, who will provide health care? Who will provide the funding for health care? Don’t say, “The Rich.” Who are “the rich?” Are “the rich” who believe people should have access to cheap healthcare already providing access to this healthcare through donations? Don’t say, “I can afford to pay more in taxes.” If you can afford to pay more in taxes, you can also afford to give more to charity. Often government involvement is an excuse for those who otherwise have no inclination towards charity to feel good about doing something for the greater good.

Back to enslaving our children… do I have the right to steal my child’s future income? Do others? Should I protect my child’s income? I should teach her to have Christian compassion to others, to give blood, to help those as she has the means to, to share with others, and to otherwise serve.

I think European style healthcare and socialism might appear attractive at first glance. But, does their unemployment rate? Does their tax rate? Does their reproductive rate? Where are the taxpayers going to come from to pay for these socialist benefits? In the future, in the very near future, at the end of this decade of Luther, we are going to find out how serious we are about socialist programs.