My son-in-law shared a link with me today that reminded me how “talking points,” “catch phrases,” and “labels” have distorted the meaning of words. For example, “second amendment rights,” “third rail of politics,” and “socialism” are terms that elicit emotions at variance with their meaning. Let’s examine these terms closer. The right to bear arms is stated in the Constitution as a means for citizens to form a “well-regulated Militia” to secure the freedom of the state. It does not necessarily address the right of citizens to own high powered weapons of modern warfare or to bear them in public places such as schools and churches. Likewise, Social Security is not so sacrosanct that it can never be changed. In fact, it has been revised and modified a number of times since Roosevelt established it. And then there is the defamatory use of the word “socialism.” As an economic or political theory socialism advocates, according to Webster, the “collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.” Certainly, that definition would satisfy Carl Marx and reflects the system of government that was attempted and largely failed in Russia. However, it in no way reflects the various social legislations passed by Congress in order to improve the conditions and opportunities of Americans rather than to own the fruits of their labor. In a capitalist system, the main threat to this ownership is not government but the concentration of capital and power in the hands of a few. The term for such a dismal outcome is an “oligarchy.” James Madison so feared that threat that he devised the so-called “American System” to advance a partnership between the merchant class and the government. He felt that a rising business class would never overthrow a democratic system that benefited them. I think his concept of partnership has served us well for most of our history . . . until now. When 40% of the wealth of our nation falls under the control of a few, however, one must question whether the fruits of labor are being shared fairly. When a few have the capacity to fund political campaigns and lobbys out-of-proportion to their limited numbers, one must question whether their influence out-weighs the will of the majority. In other words, it is not socialism that we should fear in America, but a growing deficit of social justice. The following link may cause you to take notice.
Socialism vs. Social Justice