Oct 14 2008
Creeping Socialism
Political Author William Safire defines Creeping Socialism as “Measures increasing the sphere of government activity that are accused of having the cummulative effect of undermining private enterprise.” Safire’s Political Dictionary, 2008, Page 157. Safire points out that this phrase went out of favor with Eisenhower in 1953, as it was deemed the “hallmark of the Old Guard Republicans.” Perhaps it is time we resurrect the term.
Karl Marx claimed that socialism was the transitional stage between capitalism and communism. Socialst principles are that wealth should be redistributed to make a more even society, because capitalism concentrates power and wealth into a small section of society.
Over the last month we have seen government stepping in to “save” aka “purchase” major US institutions in the banking, automotive, insurance and brokerage industries. Add to this, the increasing incidents where our democratic candidate for president, Barack Obama, proudly proclaims we need to redistribute the wealth.
It is a noble ideology that everyone in the United States be on equal financial footing. However it is unpatriotic to achieve this through taking the money from some and giving it to others. What we NEED to do, is create an even playing field for all; give everyone the opportunity to succeed. And we can start by eliminating wasteful government spending. Don’t raise taxes on anyone. Lower government spending instead.
What is our government’s role? To take from the rich and give to the poor? No. I don’t think so. This has been the primary distinguishing point for me when I call myself a Republican, and why the Republican party is so obviously the party of my choice.
Our government should provide basic services, those listed in the Constitution, and leave the rest to the private sector. Somehow we have morphed these fundamental principles into a a multi-trillion dollar beomoth which even the most prosperous nation in the world can not manage or fund.
A basic refresher, these are the functions of our Government as listed in the Preamble of our Constitution: establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.
We are quickly and irrevocably moving toward the path to socialism, and what lies beyond that is incomprehensible.
One Response to “Creeping Socialism”
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I agree that we are quickly moving towards a socialist society and it makes me nervous. I have worked very hard for what I have and everytime I look at how much money my husband and I pay in taxes and then look at the way that money is often wasted by the government I get upset. However, I don’t think the Republican party is all that different (in spending) from the Democrats anymore which is why I’m voting Libertarian.