Socialism Not A Stranger in U.S.

Dear editor:

Socialism. A word, along with Marxism, that has been bandied about in accusations against the President-elect of the United States. Does anyone using that word know the meaning of it? Has it ever existed, and successfully, in the United States? Are parts of it good or bad?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary the word socialism means: “any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration.” Once again, has it ever existed, and successfully, in the United States? Do any of our laws and actions fit this classic definition?

Let’s see. There’s Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, FHA loans, VA loans, the building and administration of the Hoover Dan, the building and administration of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the WPA which put millions to work during the depression, FICA, Unemployment Insurance, a progressive tax system that takes a higher income tax percentage from the wealthy than from the middle and lower classes, and the latest forms of socialism used by the current administration, exchanging $700 billion in bailout for stock ownership of banks, lending billions to AIG and companies of that same ilk to stave off possible bankruptcies, and all the bailouts (like GM/Chrysler) yet to come as our economy goes deeper into recession. Were they all good or all bad ideas? Were they all perfect in their execution? Of course not. But, they all have one thing in common, as they fit the classic definition of socialism and they represent efforts to improve the financial life of our country and its citizens, even though I may not agree with all those actions.

Also, let’s not forget the quasi-governmental corporations that our federal/state/local governments either own, administer or control, such as the U.S. Postal System, Conrail, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, utilities, transportation systems such as MARTA, BART and the New York Subway System. Under a pure, perfect capitalistic society these would not exist and it would have to be provided for by private industry. All of these entities effect our daily lives and are socialistic in nature.

Ours is not a perfect financial system. If it were, there would be no highs and lows to our economy. We have a system that mixes many models of economy with an effort to find the middle ground that in one way or another fits our financial needs, whether they be capitalistic or socialistic.. Have we been 100% successful yet? No! Will we ever have a perfect system? The odds are against it. Are we threatened with a financial meltdown due to our huge national debt of over $11 trillion (and growing?) In the words of a recent candidate for national office, “You betcha.”

So do we have to somehow change course and find small solutions that add up to big ones? Absolutely! But throwing around charges of “socialism” and “Marxism” at someone trying to help the country (and Lord knows we need help) accomplishes nothing. Especially when you don’t know what in the world you are talking about.