Socialism: A Good Thing...Right???

As a young person in school some 40+ years ago I remember my first thoughts about socialism. I can remember thinking, “That doesn’t sound bad at all. Actually that might be kinda good. That way there are no poor people, nor rich people, there are just people. Today as I listen as young people voice the same kinds of thoughts. They really don’t have the fear of socialism that older people have. Some of that may come from the way that they have been raised.

If you look at the school curriculum it would be easy to argue that the educational system is left leaning. By leaning I mean they are an obtuse angle. Depending upon the school system they may lean from left to extremely left in varying degrees. Even the families that our young people have been raised in have had a left leaning effect on our young people, though unintended. It is the norm in many American families to give and give to their children and to struggle to find ways to meet our children’s every desire. What parent hasn’t worked overtime to provide the “right” tennis shoes or clothes for their children. It is my thought that these things create a sense of entitlement within our children and a natural acceptance of socialistic thought. It becomes normal for them to think "they should have the same things as others". Socialism doesn't seem all that offensive. We parents unknowingly helped create that mindset.

I doubt that many families dine together these days and if they do it seems unlikely that parents would use the time to discuss current events. How many children know that in Communist China during Mao Zedong’s between 40,000,000 and 80,000,000 (40- 80 million) lives were lost to communist rule; mostly due to starvation or slaughter. Millions more died in Russia due to persecution, perhaps as many as 30,000,000. Each day thousands die in North Korea, mostly of starvation, and in every communist country there are similar abuses with totals upwards of 30million. Cuba’s numbers are no doubt lower but surely significant. Who can say what the totals might be.

Now, none of these countries call themselves “Communist”. They call themselves some version of “Socialist Republics”. Regardless they embrace the concept of socialism and that everyone should be and receive equally (“Share the Wealth”). For more than 60 years these countries have struggled with their Socialism and still the people suffer. Notice I said the people suffer and not the governement. Yet someone must GOVERN that sharing and this is where the problem always comes in. If you could just find that right person to govern. Who is that special someone who can GOVERN with fairness, honesty, purity, and justice. They would have to be like god: Some ONE very special. No one has found "The One" yet.

Arguably, no reasonable people would ever surrender to this form of government except for one thing: It is never presented in its final version. It is always presented as a “Foot in the Door” better idea. Usually it is some fine sounding Change that strikes a chord with the masses. Occasionally it is thrust upon the peoplw without their consent. More often it is a combination of the above. The adoption of the CHANGE takes place and all is well. Until, human nature takes its course, greed and corruption enter (usually waiting close by) and voila you have a government telling you what you can have, and when, and how much.

The only way to stop this is to keep the "Foot out of the Door". At first sign of this evil, kick the door closed. I am firmly convinced that the toe is being wedged in the door at this very moment and I am kicking with all I have. I am no longer a naïve schoolboy. I suggest you not be either.

The WHYS have it!

After months of Sausage Making in both houses of Congress there is still nothing resembling a Healthcare Bill that would benefit but a few special interest groups. Persistent forces have kept out amendments that would disallow illegal immigrants and government funded abortions. These legislators say it would be too difficult to require a photo ID for Healthcare services and to require women to purchase an insurance rider to cover abortions is offensive and demeaning. I truly wonder what makes these people think this way.

Recently, the now infamous, ACORN was cut off by both houses from receiving government funds. This due to the organization’s continued involvements in all manner of corruption. Most of this was known in congress for sometime but the efforts of 2 young journalism students was what it took to garner enough media attention to get congressional action. The mainstream media was noticeably absent from reporting on the ACORN videos and but for FOXNEWS and Breitbart.com we would never have known of it.

What truly amazes me is that the senate voted to strip ACORN of funds with an 83 to 7 vote. The 7 who voted to keep ACORN on the dole are surely themselves worthy of note:

Burris (D) from Illinois;

Casey (D) from Pennsylvania;

Durbin (D) from Illinois;

Gillibrand (D) from New York;

Leahy (D) from Vermont;

Sanders (I) from Vermont;

Whitehouse (D) from Rhode Island

What kept these legislators from standing with overwhelming majority in the senate? Next the House took up the Issue and voted to defund ACORN. The result was 345 ayes, 75 noes, 2 present, and 11 not voting. Again the results were overwhelming and you can follow the link to see the results. One thing that was this vote reveals is that 80% of the Congressional Black Caucus voted against, present, or not voting on this matter. You might say they were nearly ½ of all the nays.

Why do both of Illinois’ and Vermont’s senators want ACORN to continue to receive federal money?

Why can both houses recognize corruption and deal with it in a bi-partisan fashion for ACORN but not Healthcare?

Why can’t a simple photo ID be required to qualify for Healthcare?

Why should all of America fund abortions when the majority is against it? Why must those in favor of abortion make everyone pay?

Does it appear to anyone that the August and September teaparties had any affect on your legislators?

It is of little wonder that only 14% of Americans approve of the Job Congress is doing. How are we citizen’s supposed to have confidence in our system of government? There is little doubt that 2010 will seriously change the balance of power in congress. Everyone I speak to is committed to that. The comment they most often make is along the lines of desiring to throw out the lot of them and start over. An interesting idea but how to effect it?

I think The Winner is: The "O's" (UPDATED)

I just can’t resist weighing in on the “Get the Olympics” effort by the “Os”: the Obama’s, Oprah, former Olympic athletes, and the Others. Okay I couldn’t figure out a way to turn Mayor Daly into an O. In any case it is my opinion that the fix is in on this deal. Me thinketh that this trip is all about appearances and that the “O’s” have it. But just for fun let’s wait a few hours and see. What do you think?

UPDATED: Chicago was eliminated for Olympic Consideration. I was wrong and so happy to be wrong. Whether or not Chicago needed or wanted the Olympics is a separate matter. This must be a major blow to the Obamas. They are unused to losing.