The terms capitalism and socialism were commonly used and understood concepts when I was a youngster. Besides being taught their meanings at home in conversations with my folks, they were probably taught in the junior or highschool classroom. I always understood that America chose the former for its economic system over socialism, a system common to totalitarian governments where freedoms are denied. I understood why capitalism with all its "warts" offered individuals, communities, states, or countries the most freedoms, the freedom to achieve or fail. Note definitions at the end of this blog.
I am now wondering if younger generations possess that understanding. Probably, if you are reading my blog and I raised you, you do have this understanding. I made sure of that. I worry about the generations who have not been taught why it is so important to fight to preserve capitalism and the free enterprise system. I do not hear near enough political discourse/debate that clearly and boldly defines and defends these systems. Mostly I hear attacks.
The political rhetoric is so convulated in its explanations of issues and choices that it is hard to determine where capitalistic solutions can be found. Facts given as rationale for governmental action or programs or legislation have been replaced with feelings and twisted logic. If your intent is to stay committed to capitalism, you can become totally frustrated.
There are so many things worth fighting for these days: The Bill of Rights (and the correct interpretation of it), the Constitution (and holding to original intent), and America's sovereignty (and teaching recent generations what that means and what it will mean if we lose it) are but a few. I have recently heard a talk radio show host declare that our democracy has sold us out. I don't know if he meant that literally or was acknowledging the truth in the quote of one of our founding-fathers. I don't have time to find the quote, but it suggested that the founding-fathers had given us a wonderful form of government and unless we elected sincere Christians to office, we would not be able to hold onto it. I would add to that the need to elect not only sincere Christians but people who are committed to a sovereign America with a capitalistic/free enterprise economic system, and a representative democracy with an informed and active electorate.
Capitalism is not a dirty word!
Capitalism: An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.
Socialism: Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. A system of society or group living in which there is no private property. A system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state.
Ever hear the term "redistribution of wealth/property?" Our country today is in the process of socialization. We talk about socialized medicine; we have multiplying welfare programs; private ownership of land is falling under unjust application of "eminent domain" laws; the states are in a continual battle to maintain their states' rights. And, our national sovereignty is in jeopardy. It seems that every institution is under attack.
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