Socializing With Socialism

There has been a lot of talk in the media, society, and politics recently about the "dangers of Socialism".  Indeed, many in the GOP seem willing to embrace a new round of the Red Scare as they warn that the Democratic Party is really nothing more than the Socialist Pary in sheep's clothing who are willing to sell the US down the river to a Soviet-style version of Socialism. Liberal Democrats are quick to call out other, less-liberal Democrats as being barriers to true social and economic progress. A recent poll found that 74% of Americans would not support a "Socialist President". The poll also found that 63% of voters want a president under the age of 70, the top current presidential candidates are all over the age of 70 - Trump (72), Sanders (77), and Biden (76). What is interesting is that the majority of young people (ages 15-25) view Socialism favorably. Is this a harbinger of things to come in future elections? Is Socialism a real threat to the American economic system? Is Capitalism soon to be placed on the Endangered Species List? To all of these questions, I would say No. However, probably not for the reasons that you would suspect me to say no to those aforementioned questions.


Those Darn Liberal, Commie Loving, Socialist Kids!
As referenced in the poll above, more young people now have a favorable view of socialism rather than capitalism. Is this cause for alarm? Depending on your personal point of view; maybe. From a historical point of view, probably not.

It is a well known, verifiable fact that young people tend to be far more liberal than do their older counterparts. As people progress through their lives, our political views tend to take on a bell-curve shape if we were to place "Liberal Political Beliefs" at the bottom of the scale and "Conservative Political Beliefs" at the top end of the scale. The younger people are the more they advocate for and support government intervention and action to right the wrongs of the world. As people begin to progress in their lives, experiencing life as well as acquiring more "things" they begin to lean towards less government intervention and presence. Then, as they age and their incomes begin to decline while their health costs begin to increase people tend to welcome more government. As we look at past polls throughout modern American history we see this play out. During the Great Depression young people were very much in favor of the idea of a Socialist government or additional Socialistic government programs, however, following WWII, these same people who 20 years prior stated their preference for some sort of Socialist presence, were now vociferous in their opposition to this type of government intrusion. During the 1960's and into the 1970's, young people advocated for a more active government in order to right the wrongs in American society. Many of these young people openly advocated for the capitulation of capitalism. However, during the 1980's and 1990's these same young people embraced capitalism even its excesses. A look at historical polls of these people from the 1960's and then again in the late 1980's support this fundamental shift in the role of government. Knowing and understanding this historical political movement ideology, we can reasonably assume a similar shift will occur with today's young people. However, there is a caveat with these shifting political ideologies; each generation will end up being a little more liberal than the generation before and the function of government reflects this shift to the left. Indeed the generation of the 1840's as a whole would have never supported the notion that slavery should be outlawed. The generation of the 1920's would have never supported the idea that the government should provide some sort of financial help to the poor, unemployed or elderly. And the generation of the 1950's would have found the suggestion that perhaps the government should provide some sort of national healthcare insurance repugnant. Each generation, although they lose much of their youthful radicalism as they age, does nudge, ever so slightly, society and our government towards increased liberal notions.

Another reason for people to check their alarm for the strong leftist sentiments of the young is that historically speaking, young people rarely vote. There are a variety of theories out there that attempt to explain why this is: apathy, protest against the "system", frustration with the slow march of progress, not a priority, etc. Whatever the reason, this much is true- and has been true for many generations going back- young people enjoy protesting, enjoy rally's, enjoy bucking the system, and relish criticizing the inequities and shortcomings of the government but they rarely vote in a substantive way. It usually is not until they are in their late 20's or early 30's that people begin to vote in large numbers and in a consistent manner. As such, any radical notion's that young people tend to gravitate towards are rarely implemented with any fidelity. Seeing this lack of progress towards their ideals tends to drive young people towards more radical, often revolutionary ideas, never realizing that it is, in large part, their own fault for this lack of progress towards their own ideas. However, as they move into their late 20's and early 30's, as they now probably have their first "real" job, and begin settling down getting married and having kids of their own. It is only then that these "radicals" begin to vote and in doing so, in conjunction with the sum of their lives to that point, they lose much of their radicalness and begin to effect real change within the country. We have seen this very scenario play out time and again throughout American history.

The Fallacy of the "Creeping Socialism" Argument
The United States has really never had a pure capitalist system. And for good reason; pure, unadulterated capitalism is as bad, brutal, and dangerous as is pure, unadulterated socialism. If we are to understand socialism as the government's presence in society and the economy in order to protect and defend its citizens from the dangers of those who would otherwise prey upon them, as well as providing some sort of "social safety net" for people in difficult times, then there has always been some elements of socialism in America. Indeed it was the lack of nationalized military and the fear of a privatized military during Shay's Rebellion that helped lead to the creation of the American Constitution. In a pure capitalistic society, national defense would be left to the will of the free market meaning that those with the most money and resources would be able to raise the most formidable militaries. Rather than a nation protected by a nationalized military, we would be a nation ruled by the wealthy elite for their sole benefit or a nation that bends to the will of the economic powerhouse states such as California because its military was stronger than that of Illinois. Like it or not, accept it or not; the military is a function of socialism where all are expected to submit to and subjected to group-think rather than embrace individualism. There is certainly the opportunity for advancement based upon ability (a hallmark of Capitalism) but that advancement comes with the expectation that you will conform within the needs of the group and your self-worth is less than the well being of others.

There are several other examples of socialism "creeping" into American society that has never really crept in but have in fact always been present without a thought. We, as a society say we value public education. Public education is funded by taxes and is directed by a bizarre mixture of the federal government, state governments, and quasi-independent government entities as school districts. Every poll on the matter shows strong public support for tax-funded, public education. Every major Founding Father saw the need for and the value of some sort of public education. Public education, a field I am happily employed in, is a prime example of American Socialism being very present, protected and often defended in American society. Perhaps ironically, one of the charges of American public education is to help preserve the American economy and democracy for future generations. American police and fire districts are other examples of ever-present Socialism. Both are tax-supported, both are government agencies, and both are designed to provide service, ostensibly free of charge, to the citizens of their communities. Indeed, the case can be made that the police and fire departments are more socialist in nature than is education since there are not any private police or fire departments from which citizens can receive service, unlike education which does allow for private institutions to operate alongside the public schools. Furthermore, American society has not only embraced but expects its government to provide roads, streetlights, water, and sewer, as well as build and maintain parks and open spaces. All of which fall under the purview of "Socialism" far more so than the auspices of "Capitalism." People in colder climates complain when those socialist snow plows don't get out early enough to clear the roads. In my hometown of Arvada, there seems to be increasing support and momentum for the city to contract with one trash hauler for the entire city rather than allowing the individual citizens to choose their own trash hauler.

Within the last 100 years, the U.S. has implemented a number of government safety nets to prevent its citizens from experiencing a catastrophic economic disaster. Unemployment insurance, WIC, Medicare, Medicaid, and among the most popular and cherished government program- Social Security. The U.S. has very recently financially bailed out businesses and banks it deemed "too large to fail". Even Donald Trump has employed some of these socialist safety nets to protect himself financially by declaring bankruptcy most notably then his casino empire collapsed threatening to leave him literally penniless. Sidenote- if you want to learn about some of the most egregious abuses of the socialistic and capitalistic structures in the American economic system, research Donald Trump and the collapse of the Trump Taj Mahal and Trump Castle in Atlantic City as well as how he paid off those crushing debts. INSANE!!!!!!
All of these are examples of not-so-creeping socialism, but socialism that is alive, thriving and fully embraced in the United States.

The Future of American Socialism
As someone who sees a lot of value in the American free market, capitalist system, I do not believe that the collapse or overthrow of the American capitalist society is imminent or likely in the near future. Americans are by nature, fiercely independent and protective of their basic economic rights afforded them by the capitalist economic structure in the U.S. Americans love being able to claim property as their own and to do with that property as they wish. The dream of owning their own home and live where they would like is still a hallmark of the American Dream, even among the young. For many Americans, the prospect of being their own boss and owning their own business is a significant driving force in their lives and the vast majority of Americans still believe that those with more education, more ability, more experience, increased responsibility should be paid more than those who do not possess those qualities. Americans still believe that success should be gained through hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of luck rather than being granted or guaranteed by a government entity. Furthermore, as we witness the collapse of heavy socialist economies throughout history and around the globe such as the USSR and the Soviet bloc, North Korea, Cuba and now Venezuela makes it even more unlikely for the U.S. to become a more socialist nation than a capitalist nation in the near future. However, I can see more socialist ideas being implemented within the U.S. within the next decade or so because of some of the failures and abuses of capitalism.

Healthcare is the most obvious candidate for some sort of significant overhaul. I have yet to meet one person who has said 'Ya, know. I think our healthcare system is appropriately priced.' Healthcare costs continue to skyrocket due to increasing malpractice insurance costs, rising pharmaceutical costs, increasing insurance rates, and a seemingly insatiable appetite for an increased profit margin. These spiraling costs are untenable and there will eventually be a breaking point. I personally find it immensely offensive and predatory that unscrupulous people would seek to make obscene profits from the pain and misery of people who are simply seeking a way to heal and feel better. If ever there was a validation of the Social Gospel theologian Walter Rauschenbusch's argument that capitalism reduces people to be more like hungry lions on the African savannah rather than civilized human beings it is the American healthcare system. It is because of this that I can see tremendous changes about to take place within the American healthcare system. I'm not sure that I, or the majority of Americans for that reason, are ready to embrace a European socialized healthcare model, but I can see Medicare For All becoming a reality within the next 10-15 years. The current system is simply unsustainable and as a result, monumental changes will take place.

Another area where I can see fundamental changes about to take place is within higher education. Like healthcare, the costs of acquiring education beyond high school has inexplicitly skyrocketed within the past few decades. If it is true that modern society and indeed the future of the American economy relies upon and needs an educated workforce, then it seems that the costs to acquire that education must be within the means of most Americans. Sadly, this is increasingly not the case. It is becoming increasingly more difficult for Americans especially those Americans who need and could benefit the most from a college education. One of the hallmarks of American society is that all people are given an equal opportunity to succeed. In order for that goal to be realized the playing field must also be equally level, but with the rising costs of higher education, the field is being slated in favor of those who already have the added benefit of financial stability. When this becomes the norm rather than the exception you have the makings of a plutocracy and pseudo-caste system that flies in the face of the nation that was envisioned by our founders where "all men are created equal" and have the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Granted America has at times failed to live up to these lofty ideals, however, the true beauty of America is that we recognize when we fail in this task and then take steps to rectify that shortcoming. Thus, in our continuing pursuit to realize the dictates given to us as a nation, I can see the American government adopting a format that at least reduces the cost of an education beyond high school or outright guaranteeing public education from Kindergarten to a Bachelor's.

Donald Trump proudly proclaimed a few weeks ago that America will never be a socialist nation. While it will probably be true, at least for the foreseeable future, that America will not become a socialist nation along the lines of western Europe, it is equally true that America already has embraced elements of socialism within its society. While it is also true that the majority of our youth today view socialism more favorably than capitalism, it is also equally true that these same youths enjoy many of the fruits of capitalism and will, at some point, seek to defend those advantages. The United States is not barreling towards a society that resembles Denmark but will in the future continue to adopt more socialist type reforms in order to maintain basic American concepts. Pure capitalism is brutal, unrealistic, and unsustainable. Pure socialism is dangerous, too idealistic, and overly burdensome. It is the marriage of the two beliefs that most countries have adopted, some more capitalistic and less socialistic (the U.S.) and others less capitalistic and more socialistic (Nordic Europe), that seems to strike the perfect balance of maximum freedom and maximum security. The U.S. has always had and embraced institutions with socialistic traits. The U.S. will no doubt continue to adopt more socialistic reforms in the future in an attempt to realize a "more perfect union". The threat is not the moderation of capitalism or socialism. The threat is the excess of either.