All Discussions Tagged 'socialism' - TBD2024-03-29T09:29:20Zhttps://teebeedee.ning.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=socialism&feed=yes&xn_auth=noMy liberal friendtag:teebeedee.ning.com,2010-04-20:1991841:Topic:9343142010-04-20T11:40:37.897ZNancy Morganhttps://teebeedee.ning.com/profile/NancyMorgan
My liberal friend Pam and I are a perfect example of the class warfare currently being waged in America between the 'haves' and the 'have nots.' Also known as 'the war against the rich,' or, in a nutshell, socialism.<br />
<br />
Though Pam and I are lifelong friends, we couldn't be more different. Pam is the quintessential liberal, quick to espouse views that show America in a bad light. Sarah Palin is evil, Bush is bad and anyone (like myself) that doesn't base their decisions on feelings is, well, just…
My liberal friend Pam and I are a perfect example of the class warfare currently being waged in America between the 'haves' and the 'have nots.' Also known as 'the war against the rich,' or, in a nutshell, socialism.<br />
<br />
Though Pam and I are lifelong friends, we couldn't be more different. Pam is the quintessential liberal, quick to espouse views that show America in a bad light. Sarah Palin is evil, Bush is bad and anyone (like myself) that doesn't base their decisions on feelings is, well, just plain uncompassionate. End of story. I, on the other hand, am a traditional, conservative Christian.<br />
<br />
Though conservatives have yet to be included under the leftist's much vaunted 'tolerance' and 'multicultural' umbrellas, Pam has decided that she will tolerate her renegade friend, as long as that friend doesn't publicly air any conservative views. Which is becoming a problem for our friendship.<br />
<br />
Pam is the product of government schools and a culture that ignores merit in favor of any perceived underdog or victim. She is the proud owner of a Masters Degree, which, according to her, validates all of her leftist views - regardless of any facts to the contrary. And its not her fault that, at the ripe age of 57, she has yet to pay off the student loans that paid for her education.<br />
<br />
Both Pam and I are the end result of the decisions we have made over the course of our lives. Pam's choices have resulted in her absolute refusal to participate in capitalism, or our free market system. Instead, she survives on a government check, feeling it is her due. And like most who receive something for nothing, she hates the one whose largesse she has chosen to accept. Kinda like all those countries who get aid from America and hate us for it. Hey, no one likes to be acknowledged as being subservient.<br />
<br />
Fortunately for Pam, her leftists illusions allow her to maintain the moral high ground. Unlike her capitalist friend, who has never asked for or received dime one from the government. I am considered one of the evil 'rich.' Pam graciously ignores this fact, at least until she needs another loan.<br />
<br />
Pam maintains the romantic illusion of being a struggling, misunderstood artist. She exists on a higher plane than Joe Six pack and Susy Homemaker. She is 'sensitive' and totally in tune with Mother Earth, victims of capitalism, and all creature great and small. That my tax dollars allow her this freedom is one of those inconvenient facts that Pam has learned to compartmentalize. Meaning she has chosen to ignore (or demonize) any facts that don't align with her vision of herself.<br />
<br />
Like most leftists, Pam believes that life is a zero sum game. If someone has a big slice of the pie, that automatically means that some poor unfortunate has to do with a smaller slice. And all rich people are only rich because they made their money off the backs of those less fortunate.<br />
<br />
This mind set, while comforting, is not conducive to material success. Which is OK with Pam, as she has spent her whole life eschewing the almighty dollar, choosing instead to allow others, like her 'rich' friend and financially stable family members the favor of periodically bailing her out financially. Her only concession to reality.<br />
<br />
Ever since Obama was elected president, my friendship with Pam has become strained. Though politics was never a part of our friendship in the past, it has now become a factor. Pam apparently feels that Obama's socialist agenda is the best thing that ever happened to the Oppressive State of America. And since she knows that everyone feels this way, she has no qualms parroting the Dem's sound bite of the day as fact.<br />
<br />
Since I know Obama didn't really cut taxes by $800 billion, it rankles somewhat that Pam believes it. Pam also believes that the government take over of the private sector is long overdue. And that Obama's take over of the health care system is the only way to ensure social justice.<br />
<br />
I don't blame Pam for her desire for social justice. After all, she just had both hips replaced, courtesy Uncle Sam. And she sees no reason why other misunderstood victims shouldn't have access to the same free lunch. But her attitude is starting to rankle.<br />
<br />
Though I am aware of the politically viable yet destructive effect of pitting one class of Americans against another class, I find I am becoming an active participant. I'm starting to resent my friend. I resent her cavalier, tax-payer funded attitude. I am starting to take umbrage at her assumption that her liberal views are the only valid views and any dissent or challenge to her world view is either racist and/or lacking in compassion.<br />
<br />
I'm starting to resent the fact that people like myself, dirty little capitalists, are required to support deadbeats who have decided to live off the system. All the while, spitting in the eye of those that provide the means. (Sorry, Pam.)<br />
<br />
Having been allowed the luxury of basing her life on feelings instead of being forced to make a living, Pam now takes great offense should I dare mention any of these inconvenient realities. She will allow no dissent. Our friendship has become political.<br />
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Pam wastes no time analyzing my weekly articles as being motivated solely by hate and 'lacking in compassion.' She has adopted the proven tactic of continually forcing me to proving a negative. And I just don't want to do that anymore, especially since I have lost respect for her.<br />
<br />
With great regret, I realize Pam has become like so many of her fellow leftists. Willing to defend to the death leftists opinions (that are formed by others) and dismissing out of hand any facts to the contrary. If I don't agree with her, why, there must be something wrong with me. This attitude is not conducive to friendship.<br />
<br />
Lifelong friendships that have weathered the test of time are rare and should be cherished. That our current political climate has ended this friendship is regrettable. But this case is not unique. Across the nation, friends are pitted against friends, families are dividing along partisan lines and Americans are being encouraged to resent anyone percieved as having more than their (fair)share of the pie.<br />
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I fear this will continue and become more pervasive under our current president. Raising the distinct possibility of America's downfall coming from within. The 'have nots' and victims are consolidating their premier position at the public trough, forcing others to pay for their ever evolving version of social justice. And considering that fully half of Americans now pay no federal income taxes yet still vote, the chances of changing this through the ballot box are becoming slimmer.<br />
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I already miss Pam. Our friendship was very important to me and I am saddened that today's political climate makes it impossible for good friends to agree to disagree. But if the choice is between actively enabling her views by keeping silent or fighting to keep America from turning into a nation of useful idiots, I'll choose the latter. Without regret. My Destructive Generationtag:teebeedee.ning.com,2010-03-29:1991841:Topic:8943072010-03-29T10:14:29.925ZNancy Morganhttps://teebeedee.ning.com/profile/NancyMorgan
<div><div>My generation could well be the first generation in American history to leave our country worse off than we found it.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I am a member of the baby boomer generation. The generation that came of age in the late sixties during the turbulent times of Woodstock, Watergate and Vietnam. The generation that is now holding the reins of power in most American
institutions, from politics to media, to education and culture. The generation<br />
that will likely be responsible for…</div>
</div>
<div><div>My generation could well be the first generation in American history to leave our country worse off than we found it.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I am a member of the baby boomer generation. The generation that came of age in the late sixties during the turbulent times of Woodstock, Watergate and
Vietnam. The generation that is now holding the reins of power in most American<br />
institutions, from politics to media, to education and culture. The generation<br />
that will likely be responsible for squandering America's hard won freedoms and<br />
changing America into a third world country, all in the name of 'equality' and<br />
'social justice.' </div>
<div> </div>
<div><div>A defining hallmark of baby boomers on the left is hubris and an absolute refusal to learn or acknowledge the lessons of history. They know best.
<br/><br/></div>
<div>Moral relativism is the cornerstone of most baby boomers. Their theories rest on subjective, personal values instead of concrete scientific definitions.
And they acknowledge no other authority or moral code larger than one's choice.<br />
They have adopted the Rousseauian strategy of emphasis on passion instead of<br />
reason.* And despite the utter failure of the social policies they have<br />
instituted, they persist in believing that they can define their own reality.<br />
<br/><br/></div>
<div>Author Shelby Steele, in his book <em>White Guilt</em>, comes closest to explaining how and why the baby boomer generation believes as it does. Steele
makes the excellent point that every generation, when it comes of age, seeks to<br />
challenge authority and tradition. Like most adolescent rebels, they are quickly<br />
humbled because they overestimate their own truth and underestimate the truth of<br />
their elders. They learn a valuable life lesson when they are smacked down by<br />
their elders and reality. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><div>My generation never learned this lesson. As Steele writes, "The sixties generation of youth is very likely the first generation in American history to
have won its adolescent rebellion against its elders."</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The reason for this: As baby boomers came of age, America had just taken the giant step of acknowledging and apologizing for its history of slavery and
racism. At that moment in time, America had lost its moral authority, hence the<br />
progressive assaults on campuses resulted in defeating the traditional<br />
hierarchy. Heady stuff.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>With this victory, my fellow boomers adopted the notion that they were invincible. "Their rite of passage to maturity was cut short and they were
falsely inflated instead of humbled. Uninitiated, they devalue history rather<br />
than find direction in it, and feel entitled to break sharply and recklessly<br />
with the past."</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The boomer's adolescent rebellion was validated. They then proceeded to infect every segment of American society with their own, unproven
theories.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The media that had historically acted as a watchdog became an enabler for the boomers. The media encouraged and validated the politically correct, utopian
theories that were a result of hubris rather than sound policy. And convinced<br />
millions of unsuspecting Americans along the way.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Our universities not only succumbed, they incorporated and taught as fact the baby boomers' notion of America as an oppressor and capitalism as evil.
Courses in Western Civilization were replaced with women's studies, black<br />
studies and queer theory. Indoctrination replaced debate and group identity<br />
quietly started trumping individual accomplishment as the road to<br />
success. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Fast forward to today. President Obama and our Democrat Congress are the end result of a generation steeped in successful rebellion. They are the
quintessential perpetual adolescents that define the baby boomer generation.<br />
Never having had to pay the price for our freedoms, they are oblivious to its<br />
worth. To Obama and most of his fellow boomers on the left, the Constitution is<br />
a roadblock to their more perfect vision. Instead, they take their cue from Saul<br />
Alinsky's <em>Rules For Radicals</em>.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>My generation is now in a position to radically alter America. There is a very good chance that boomers will prevail in their efforts to defeat
capitalism, God and traditional values and instill their own version of 'social<br />
justice.' Despite socialism having failed abjectly in every country it has been<br />
tried, baby boomers like Obama have the arrogance to believe that with them in<br />
charge, it will finally work.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Under the leadership of my fellow baby boomers, there is a very good chance that the America that we all know and love could end up on the ash heap of
history. James Madison gave clear warning in 1788. <em>"There are more instances<br />
of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent<br />
encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden<br />
usurpations..."<span> </span></em></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>America is in the process of being conquered from within. By an arrogant and elitist generation more concerned with their own status and power
than with the good of the country. This is my generation. And I'm ashamed to be<br />
one of them.</span></div>
<div> </div>
<br/><div><br/></div>
</div>
</div>
</div> What Socialism Istag:teebeedee.ning.com,2009-09-05:1991841:Topic:3376782009-09-05T09:43:17.354ZNancy Morganhttps://teebeedee.ning.com/profile/NancyMorgan
When a word comes too close to actually identifying an inconvenient reality, secular progressives spring into action. The offending word is either redefined or reduced its first letter, thereby signifying that polite society will no longer accept it. You've heard of the N word, the B word (think Hillary) and now comes the S word.<br />
<br />
By its abbreviation, the S word, formerly known as socialism, infers a negative connotation. A negative connotation richly deserved due to the incontrovertible fact…
When a word comes too close to actually identifying an inconvenient reality, secular progressives spring into action. The offending word is either redefined or reduced its first letter, thereby signifying that polite society will no longer accept it. You've heard of the N word, the B word (think Hillary) and now comes the S word.<br />
<br />
By its abbreviation, the S word, formerly known as socialism, infers a negative connotation. A negative connotation richly deserved due to the incontrovertible fact that socialism has failed every where it has been tried.<br />
<br />
In a nutshell, socialism is an economic system where property is held in common, not individually, and its ideal is a centrally directed economy. Socialism entails the substitution of group decision making for individual choice. In this case, the 'group' making the decisions are the 32 (and counting) unelected and unaccountable czars Obama is anointing.<br />
<br />
The origins of socialist thought come directly from Aristotle. Aristotle believed that since only actions aiming at a perceived benefit to others were, to his mind, morally approved, then actions solely for personal gain (capitalism) must be bad.<br />
<br />
This theory of Aristotle's is the basic premise of the Obama administration. By claiming the 'moral high ground' of the 'greater good' Obama and his minions have free reign to radically alter both our system of government and the hundreds of years of tradition it represents.<br />
<br />
Under the guise of altruism and the greater good, Obama has launched a full scale attack on capitalism. The very capitalism that has fed the world for decades. The capitalism that has produced the highest standard of living in the freest and most productive country in the world. But, according to the ruling elite, capitalism is bad, because it entails, gasp, 'profit'. And every progressive worth his salt knows profit is only possible on the backs of less fortunate. Right?<br />
<br />
Obama and the secular progressives who now determine policy in America pride themselves on being the intellectual representatives of modern thought and thus superior in knowledge, wisdom and moral virtue than those who hold traditional values (conservatives). They believe their duty is to offer new ideas to the public and deride whatever is conventional and/or traditional. Newness, not truth, is their main value.*<br />
<br />
The fly in Obama's ointment is the fact that the system of socialism isn't very good at creating wealth. Only individuals do that. But hey, socialism is 'ethically superior' and that's what counts. Right?<br />
<br />
Obama was voted into office based on his skill at selling abstract ideas like equality and justice. Millions of Americans bought into his spiel. Most likely the very same Americans who buy lottery tickets. Against all reason, they were led to believe that the government can provide them a free lunch. And there will be no cost to them. And best of all, these moochers can also claim the moral high ground. After all, they are victims of rich capitalists. And that's not fair! And its not their fault that they haven't won life's lottery.<br />
<br />
The problem with their premise can be reduced to two words. Free will. God gave us free will - the ability to fail or succeed based on the choices we make. Obama proposes to do away with free will and vest those decisions in a central government.<br />
<br />
Losers can now breathe a sigh of relief. Whew. Now, instead of losers, they're much valued victims. And the new socialist society Obama and friends are in the process of implementing has a moral duty to shield them from the consequences of their bad choices. But best of all, socialism allows life's losers the moral high ground as they systematically plunder the fruits of another man's labor.<br />
<br />
This is socialism. This is what President Obama wants America to be. But students of history insist on asking the question: How long can a society survive that rewards failure and punishes success? Unfortunately, America will get an answer to that question if Obama is allowed to continue transforming our country into his 'new and improved' idea of a socialist utopia.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
* Hayek's 'The Errors of Socialism'<br />
<br />
Nancy Morgan is a cloumnist and news editor for RightBias.com<br />
She lives in South Carolina