Socialism

Socialism has been maligned.  Many Americans don’t understand the difference between totalitarianism and socialism.    Further, Americans frequently will defend capitalism even though capitalism is far closer to totalitarianism than socialism.  Democracy can exist under a socialistic economic system; in fact, it could coexist far better than the greed based capitalism that results in non-democratic government control.

Capitalism privileges capital (money) and socialism privileges social (people).  The basic problem in America is that society is controlled by capitalism (money) and people are dismissed.   This is particularly ironic for a country’s whose Constitution declares, “We the People”.  Capitalism has so perverted society that corporations were declared personhood by the US Supreme Court.  This is so absurd that it deserves no comment.

The only solution for America is socialism where every citizen is guaranteed basic minimums for essentials, e.g. food, housing, health care, clothing, etc.  This would required approximately $36,000 per year for a single adult person; somewhat more for married people.  Providing such minimums would cost appropriately $5-8 TRILLION per year, or about half of the GDP of the US.  Once the basic necessities of all people are satisfied, people could pursue whatever they wanted, including nothing at all.  Many people would pursue interests that paid nothing additional — just because they want to do the work.

Most people will not be satisfied with minimums — they will want luxury items as well.  They would want computers and iPods and fancier housing that basics — some would not and that would also be fine.   However, there would be no reason to accept just any job because basic necessities would be met.  Instead, people could pursue their heart’s desire and do something that makes them happy.  This is a powerful force and far more powerful than the greed mantra of capitalism.    Greed capitalism results in most people performing jobs they hate.  Socialism would allow people to pursue activities they love.

Under socialism, all corporations and businesses would have to work in the social interest of society.  People who acted against the social structure of the country would be criminals and thrown in jail.  Criminals would be defined as people unable to act in the interest of society and the greater good.   Thus, people and companies would work for the greater good, protect the environment, and not for just for their own self-interest.

There would be no place for greed because the tax system would guarantee that nobody could become rich.  That is, once somebody earned more than three of four times the basic income, the rest would be taxed.   There would be no incentive to work constantly.  The society would privilege relaxing and being with families and not killing yourself working harder and harder.  There would be a basic balance between meaningful work and social responsibly, even responsible to families and communities.

Social responsibility would require everybody to vote.  However, there would be more use of direct voting for important issues.   Technology would be embraced in order to free the population from mundane tasks.

More Later …