Hillary vs. Sanders: The “S” word worth talking about
Before you allow the media, big business interests, misinformed colleagues and personal connections, dissuade you from voting for Bernie Sanders by using the “S” word inaccurately, please ask yourself, “Why are these countries capable of providing college education, free healthcare, and proper incen
OPINION
THE SOAPBOX
Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.
This Tuesday New Hampshire’s primary for the democratic candidates, Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton, is shaping up to be a very close race. With that said, I’m writing this article to provide clarity surrounding many of the popular misconceptions surrounding the “S” word, Socialism.
Born in the late 70s, I grew up during the Cold War when the term “commie-pinko” and political cartoon’s exploiting Gorbachev’s birthmark were regular images Americans often used to express their disgust for all things Russia, The USSR, communism, and socialism. I grew up believing that Socialism and Communism were entirely the same, and therefore bad. It wasn’t until I was fortunate enough to spend time in Europe that I was able to begin to understand the differences between them.
“Socialism has never, nor will it ever work. The federal government will control everything, people will be lazy because they will not be properly incented.” Have you read or heard these statements? I know I have. I did some research to find out if this was true, given that roughly one-third of all sovereign states are currently practicing democratic socialism.
If you are like me, things like our economy, education system, and healthcare are big issues AND even though politicians have perfected the talk, it seems like there has been something to be desired with “the walk,” once officials are elected. I am asking myself, how many years can we continue to defer, making non-decisions regarding our society before it is too late? How can we effect real change? I’m worried about my children and about how young Americans will sustain a quality of life that the American dream offers if things continue as they are.
I love our country and have gratitude for the freedoms and opportunities we are blessed with. So, if quality of life measured by life expectancy, education, and income per capita are important to you, please don’t be afraid of change; don’t let propaganda weld communism and socialism into one and the same. Democratic socialism IS working around the world, free college education IS happening, socialism does NOT mean that the government owns everything and that production or goods and services is priced, controlled by, and ultimately profited to the government.
The 2015 Human Development Index which rates countries based on life expectancy, income per capita, and education reported their rankings last December as follows:
- Norway 6) Germany
- Australia 7) Ireland
- Switzerland 8) United States
- Denmark 9) Canada
- Netherlands 10) New Zealand
Looking globally, the United States did incredibly well ranking 8th. The other 9 countries that make up the top 10 ALL practice democratic socialism and have been doing so since the late 1940s. All of these countries use a similar democratic system as in the U.S. The government does NOT own all commercial entities keeping the wealth held and controlled by a few governmental officials (such as in China or North Korea).
Before you allow the media, big business interests, misinformed colleagues and personal connections, dissuade you from voting for Bernie Sanders by using the “S” word inaccurately, please ask yourself, “Why are these countries capable of providing college education, free healthcare, and proper incentive for entrepreneurialism/ingenuity and be socialists? Why can’t the U.S.? How do we head in the right direction for ourselves and future generations?
I believe that change is necessary and that Senator Bernie Sanders is promoting the changes that will propel us to the top of the Human Development Index.
⇒Beg to differ? Got your own POV? Manchester Ink Link welcomes your submissions for our Soapbox section. Send to Carol Robidoux at robidouxnews@gmail.com
David Shaw, 37, is a single dad living in Bucks County, PA, with his two children David, 16 and Danielle, 9. After serving thousands of families and individuals as a financial planner for the past 15 years David sold his practice last year to reprioritize his time toward raising his children and returning to his first love, playing music.
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