Liberalism and socialism … idealistic ideas gone bad

The trash heap of history is full of well meaning ideas intended for the collective good. The world is full of communes in the history books that failed in spite of members putting their money and effort where their mouth was. Rugby, Tennessee on the Cumberland Plateau is such an English example. The trash heap also includes such efforts as the Soviet Union where leaders put the citizens’ money towards the idea, as well as the leaders’ personal well being. Millions died as part of the idea.

Now again comes the idea of socialism resurrecting itself for America’s future, at least in some politicians’ minds. Most socialist ideas are from left over politicians from the baby boomer time, but the failed idea is never the less being brought up again, albeit in the guise or cover of other ideas. There are modern applications of socialism and its consequences just in Sweden. Anyone doing homework or living there will probably say the idea is not worth it for America. Again back to the trash heap. America has a better way to live and improve itself…for the collective good.

We Americans do not need to listen to failed ideas again, though we certainly will be forced to listen. No amount of hating Bush, or frustration over the President’s mismanagement of winning the peace in Iraq should change the political order of things in America. It’s like apples and oranges. We can use the vote to take corrective action without “throwing out the baby with the bath water”.

Historically, America is at a low point in terms of the quality of our leaders, to include those elected or appointed by them, those running, and those media leaders who now use their power to editorialize their opinion and those they support. It has not always been this way, and the pendulum will swing the other way. If America can avoid the failed or rejected socialist ideas during the interim pendulum swing, so much the better. If Americans can avoid any kind of quasi-religious do-gooders who self appoint themselves to act on their socialist goals, also so much the better.