Capitalism vs. Socialism: Why it matters in this election cycle

“Capitalism and communism stand at opposite poles. Their essential difference is this: The communist, seeing the rich man and his fine home, says: 'No man should have so much.' The capitalist, seeing the same thing, says: 'All men should have so much.'”

Father knows best. At least that’s what my father used to (and still does) say when there was a disparity between my idea of how I should run my life and his idea of how I should run my life. I hardly think my experience is unique. Most parents feel they know what’s best for their children. And most of the time they do know best. But children grow up. When you’re no longer a child, a parent insisting that they know how to run your life ceases to become an asset and becomes an annoying intrusion into your life. The frank truth of the matter is that at this point, it doesn’t matter whether or not they’re right. As an adult, it is your explicit right to make your own choices. So what does all of this have to do with models of government? Well, in the case of capitalism and socialism, everything. The above analogy really highlights why I feel so strongly about capitalism. After all, the essence of capitalism is that the population at large should be free to choose how they run their own life. It’s the most practical democratic model in existence. Every person gets to vote every day on issues that matter to them. How do we vote, you may ask? Through our money. This is a really brilliant way to manage government. So you think Microsoft has an inferior product? Buy a mac. You think McDonalds is making you fat? Eat at subway. Of course there is one caveat to this system. This system assumes that the average individual is intelligent enough to make good decisions for his or her life. So what of those individuals make poor choices and wreck their lives? Well, that’s their right too. So you bought a nose job that you hate? That poor choice was your right. You ate McDonalds for dinner every night and now you’re an obese diabetic? That poor choice also is yours to make. I find that I can easily encapsulate the whole philosophy of capitalism in one simple statement: Its your life: make it or break it. Simple and effective. Of course wrapped into this statement are concepts that are hard for some to swallow such as the thought that if there is success there must be failure, and if there is personal choice then there must be personal responsibility. These concepts simply don’t fly in a society where lawsuits and learned victimization are the order of the day. Be that as it may, this system has much to recommend it. Let us now turn our attention to the socialistic model of government. As with capitalism, I believe I can sum up the tenants of socialism in one simple phrase: Its your life; but you’re not responsible enough to make choices and need the governments help. You see, much like the nagging parent, the socialist sees the citizen as an eternal child, and feels the need to constantly step in and “help” said child make the right choices. Want some examples? Sure thing. How about: The government should choose how you invest your retirement (social security). The government should choose your doctor, and should tell the doctor what drugs they can use to treat you (universal health care). The government should decide who educates your children (department of Education). The government should decide how successful a company can be before it becomes “too successful”(i.e. fining Exxon mobile for making “too much money”). Even mundane things like the decision to wear a seatbelt or the decision to ride motorcycles without a helmet are mandated by this “government knows best” philosophy. So what if government knows best? Whether the government knows best or not, it is grossly overstepping its bounds when it impinges on my freedom to choose how I live my life. Allow me now to opine on why I think so many good people can be misled by socialistic thinking. I truly believe that it has a great deal to do with compassion and kind heartedness. No one wants to see a homeless man on the street. No one wants to see a child get a poor education. And no one wants to see small mom and pop businesses go under. I feel that it is seeing the sad reality of life that causes many to consider socialism the answer to the world’s woes. But is it truly? One must remember the ugly side of socialisms allure. Where there is no failure, there can be no success; only mediocrity. Punish those who succeed in life, and this mediocrity will reign supreme. Reward people who fail at life with constant handouts, and they will continue to fail. Failure is the single greatest motivator for change, and to take that away from a person in the name of compassion is a true crime. Do I think that we should just let people fall to the wayside then? No, of course not. By all means educate them as to how to improve their lives. And certainly let us give to them charitably. The sad thing is, socialism even takes away the freedom to be charitable. When the government mandates half of my paycheck so it can be “charitable” with my money, where does which leave me? It forces me to be stingy, and denies me the pleasure of giving as I see fit. This entire discourse is particularly relevant in light of the current election cycle, and the choices that will soon be upon us. I leave it to you, dear reader, to determine on your own which candidates stand behind capitalistic principles, and which stand behind socialistic ones. By all means pick the candidate whose ideas you agree most closely with. Do you want to make your own choices, and in doing so take up the burden of personal responsibility and potential failure? Or would you rather be buffered from failure, and choice, by a comforting blanket of enforced mediocrity? No candidate is perfect or even close to it, so once again this year I’ll be voting for the candidate most likely to leave me to make or break my own life.