Cap vs Soc

Capitalism versus socialism. It's a touchy subject these days, at least for some people. There are various thoughts on this subject, most are along the lines of many liberal-minded folks versus conservative. However, I am finding it is very much a generational chasm.

I grew up in the era of the cold war. It was the US and NATO against the communist threat of the Soviet Union and their 'allies'. But in truth, their allies were little more than those countries they had conquered and overtaken after world-war two. Those countries were under the boot of the communist regime with no voice of their own on the world stage.

Communism, back in the day and now, is nothing more than a variant of socialism, albeit the extreme version of it. On its surface socialism touts that everyone is equal and everyone should have the same benefits as everyone else. To that end as well, no one is above anyone else. The kicker to that is, that is a lie. Every socialist government that has ever existed has solidified the leaders of that government into their own privileged stratosphere. They have taken from everyone in the name of equality for all and literally left their populace with little or nothing of their own. Socialism stunts growth because there is nothing to strive for because there is no benefit to succeeding. Whatever is gained is taken away and given to the state for the common good. After a time, there is nothing left to take and the state and populace withers away. That is history.

Capitalism isn't perfect. No system of government or economic agenda has ever been no matter who has claimed their systems are. But what capitalism offers is a change to succeed and prosper, something socialism fails to do. Our system in this country has social elements to it, welfare, food stamps, etc., however the difference is, you don't have to stay at those levels of prosperity if you work to better yourself and/or your family. Nothing is promised, but the opportunity is there to succeed and build a better life for yourself. People from all over the world flock to this country for that reason. No one is clamoring to get into true socialist countries anywhere in the world. Those European countries that the left claims are socialist, aren't true socialist governments. They have socialist elements like the United States, but their overriding capitalist framework is the foundation of their societies.

The social programs in this country were never meant to be a way of life as some have come to rely on. Most who are generational dependents on these programs only want a hand-out so they don't have to do the work and then want to blame others for their situation. They are lazy. There is plenty of help in this society for those that are truly needy due to circumstances beyond their control. The 'left' however shouldn't continue to blame those that have made something of their life as being cruel to the less fortunate. Life isn't free or fair and in the history of man, it never has been, but that doesn't mean there is no heart in a capitalist society.