In the political realm, sometimes we tend to over-complicate things. Seems to me that part of our nation's current problem with comprehending why socialism won't work is that we've failed to teach our children the basics of civics and economics. It sounds great to hear that you will receive "free" healthcare, "free" government assistance for this or that, but Economics 101 teaches us that nothing is free. No doctor works for free; no drug company produces its products for free; no assistance on a mortgage is free. Somebody pays. Civics 101 teaches us that when "government" provides any assistance, it is ultimately paid for by the citizens. Taxes, fees, assessments, etc. used to be the only way government could raise money; but now we have a government on a credit binge. The piper will be paid; and that ultimately means higher taxes, fees, etc. We already see that. Your car tag costs more to renew. Your property tax on your home is higher. Income taxes are going up. NOTHING is free. SOMEBODY pays. "Socialism" tries to be the great equalizer, making everything available in some form for everyone. However, if you or I don't get the benefits of our hard labors by having more money (translated: able to buy more things because we earned the money for it) then after awhile we start lowering our efforts and expectations. Society slips into a downward spiral, and each day brings diminished expectations...and returns. We shift from a race to excellence to a slide to mediocrity. I don't want mediocrity for America. I don't want my children growing up in a society where success if frowned upon and mediocrity is accepted. How about you?
The problem is that not only must we strengthen our personal resolve to reject and resist the current mode of "socialism answers" to our problems, we must also teach those who are younger than us WHY socialism won't work. Our kids have been exposed to little, if any, civics and economics instruction. They have spent most of their lives living on someone else's tab; and have had precious little time learning that nothing comes easily and nothing is really free. Baby boomers and those on the heels of the boomers must teach our children well, or we will have fumbled in our efforts to pass the torch of opportunity to the younger generations. That's my perspective!
