The Young Ideologist

First off, before I get into my post, I would like to thank my friend, Chris Gaskey, for allowing me to contribute to his blog. For those who do not know me, I am an ideologist bent on making at least a small amount of change to this world. Good change not nuclear holocaust change. You may find my blogs to be full of ideologies and views that might be far different from your own. If you have a problem with people discussing politics, religion, and pop culture in sometimes in a negative light, do so at your own discretion. So, with out any further adieu, I bid thee to my first post on MLiS.

For most of us, how we select our political and religious views first come from what our individual families have raised us to believe. Now, there are some who change said views. A person may convert to a different religion in order to appease his new bride's family. Or a person might change political views due to one major event in their lives. I hope to at least maybe put a seed in someone's head in order to bring about change in this world. Now, you can adopt certain views from different parties in order to progress change. Case in point, there are Republicans who are pro-choice and there are Democrats who are Anti-gay. Granted, those are small numbers in either party, but they are there nonetheless.

I, on the other hand, am a Socialist. Whoa, before you start heading for the hills, allow me to explain. Every democratic nation is socialist in one form or another. How do you ask? Let me tell you. The military, police, fire department, judges, public attorneys (both DA and PD), park rangers, TSA, FBI, CIA, and yes, NASA. These are just a handful of government agencies that are paid through taxes. Yes, Mr. Anti-Socialist, you pay taxes for the cop to give you a speeding ticket. Unless, you are so pro-capitalism, I guess we can have you pay the Police Department's salary, but please make the check out to Taco Bell because, hey we all need a sponsor.

Now, also, for all you anti-socialists out there, here's a news flash. Socialism is an economic policy not a political policy. Now, yes there is a Socialist Party USA . But, you should now confused Socialism with Communism. Socialism does have some tenets to Communism, but Communism progresses past Socialism. Socialism still allows all free and open elections, the same freedoms we still have, and all the same fun times. Don't believe me? Look at the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, and Ireland. These countries are Democratic Socialist Societies. Now, that is not labeled by the type of government they have. The UK is a Parliamentary Monarchy, Germany is a Federal Republic, and Belgium is a Federal Parliamentary Democracy under a Constitutional Monarchy. Try saying that one three times fast. Oh, and in case you are wondering, the United States is a Federal Republic with A Constitution Based Democracy.

Now, all these governments, besides ours, provides for the welfare of its citizens. Sure, they have problems, but so does every country. Added to the aforementioned benefits, they also provide health care, free of charge. Now, for all those thinking the government is telling you where to go and be seen are ignorant.

I lived in the UK for three years. Not once, did I ever hear people complain about the care they receive from their universal health care. There were no waiting in lines for surgeries and services. They got to see who ever they wanted. And, get this, they could still sue the doctor for malpractice. And the Britons seem to live longer and fuller lives due to the fact they do not have to worry about seeing a doctor for any ailment. They can see one for preventive health without having to worry about paying for pap smears, mammograms, prostate exams, and EKGs.

If you look at it, most of the people could have had diseases under control or erradicated if they got checked sooner, but no, it cost over $350 for a woman to get checked for cervical or breast cancer. And by the time it is a problem, sometimes it is too late. Oh, then you have to worry about the insurance company dropping you because you "forgot" to tell them you had a headache and took Tylenol for it when you were 15.

Now, I am not going to rant on health care because that is a different post altogether. But that is one example of how Socialism can help.

Another way, is how it can boost the economy. As stated with health care, if you rid of citizen pay to some certain government services, that leaves more money in the pocket to spend on goods. Because as Americans, we need shit we don't need in the first place.

Also, have the companies become publicly owned. Not by the government, but by it's employees. That strengthens the business and the employees can get a return on their investments.

We can have stronger Unions that fight for the worker instead of what is best for the company without upsetting too many people.

And the real way to fix the economy is really simple. Simultaneously, we need to raise taxes and reduce spending. But nobody in power has the testicular fortitude to tell the masses that. They know it, but are so afraid of their legacy in History books they would never implement it. Now, increase in taxes and reduction and spending does not need to be drastic. I'm sure a 1% increase and a 1% reduction would spell huge gains in our economy.

Now, I don't have all the answers. It is up to us to find them. We need to be proactive and progressive with our country. Staying in a rut, being nostalgic of a past society, or watching Glenn Beck are detrimental to our society. America was once seen in awe, now it is a laughing stock. We may have the brawn, but we need the brains back. Our country is in dire need and change needs to occur now.

And I ask all my friends who are the conservative side, I challenge you to read some progressive party ideals. Whether they are from the Democrats, Socialists, Communists, Anarchists, or any following the left side of the spectrum. And furthermore, I challenge you to ask why you are restrictive to change. If you are of the religious type, look at it from a moral standpoint. Would you rather doom future generations for the sake of the now? Would you sacrifice your fellow man because you forsake your deity's words on compassion, love, and tolerance, just so you can embrace capitalism? I think a Jesus in this day and age would show far more compassion to the things you despise, invite them to a kingdom, and leave you with playing with a ball in a cup outside the gates. You can still be a good moral person even if you follow progressive beliefs. Remember, Jesus was the first hippie.