For some reason, I get the feeling that people may not, generally, understand what socialism means.

We’ve lived in a capitalistic democracy since America was conceived.    We’re bombarded with socialism tendencies, favoritism, and fears so much that we truly can’t get an idea of what it means to be a socialist.  I imagine it’s kind of like someone thinking the world is fuzzy before getting glasses.

Nothing is clear and the world is accepted for what we think we see and not for what it is.

One thing, however, that is clear is that socialism hasn’t worked well in any given country over any given amount of time.   But, it’s like a siren.   It looks great on paper, right?    Why shouldn’t a way to manage and distribute social the ways and means of everything in our society be controlled by everyone?    We’re all in this together.

But, that’s the thing.   We’re not and we never will be.

Instead, we’re a squabbling and fully dysfunctional family of a sort.  Sure, we may hate each other, kill each other, and do bad things, but that’s us going against us.  If there’s an external threat, I would like to feel that we unify to face the threat and have a feel-good moment before going back to our bad behaviors and habits.  There are historical exceptions, of course, but that’s our trend.

After a while, we go back to just how we were.

Between all of the madness, we help each other too.   We’re kind to each other.  We show grace.  In doing so, we become accountable for our actions – in a positive way.

With the advent of social media and how everyone has a 24-hour window into everyone else’s lives, we’re even more connected to family, friends, and even strangers.  But yet, we’ve never been so alone.

There’s just so much to take in.   So many stories.   And, even if we wanted to, we can’t help everyone.  People suffer.

Even if we don’t know the person’s name, she or he is apart of the family.   No one likes to see others suffer.  — Well, some do.  I’ve been watching this series about serial murderers… but ** most ** people don’t like to see others suffer.

So, why not take everything collectively away from the rich and redistribute it to the poor?  Individuals don’t have to do anything and we’re all poor in some respect.

Paying for college, a house, children… is stressful.
No one wants to be stressed.   That’s bad.  It causes health problems.
If the government looked after everyone from cradle to grave, there would be less stress and people could live happier lives, right?

Ask former East Germany.
Research personal restrictions in China.
I’m sure you’ve heard about Venezuela.

Socialism isn’t compatible with life, liberty, and the search for happiness.
Forcing everyone to attend college will not improve the types of jobs created or even the number of jobs.

Rather, it would degrade the college system and more well-meaning but incompetent people would be in the job force under the allusion that they can do better.  People with bachelor degrees would be pushing carts —  which isn’t a bad thing.  Earning a bachelor is great and pushing carts is honest work.

But why should someone have to suffer through college classes when it’s not needed?

Or…  maybe since no one would want the hands-on type of jobs they could start paying more than someone who has a CPA.    Wouldn’t that be a conundrum?

I am totally rambling.  I know.
–  I started this post some two weeks go with a clear intention about what I wanted to get across.   Now… I have no idea.

Short version:

Socialism neuters life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

If you want to help those in need, make it part of your life.  Learn that helping others can make you happy.

You – take action.

Don’t rely on the government to do it for you.