Where Do We Go From
Here? Part 3
We have seen throughout
history the courses and directions of the far left, i.e. Communism, Socialism,
with their ultimate end (When I talk about Communism and Socialism, folks, I’m
talking about real “isms”–not about the pejoratives touted by the ignorant and uninformed.
Do let us be clear, however. Progressivism is not Socialism. Progressivism is
not Communism.). It should and must be obvious we don’t want to follow their paths
to self destruction. On the other hand, if we continue on the path advocated by
those on the right, that too, will lead us to destruction. Mark my words. We
will surely fail. The pudding is in the eating. Don’t let the propaganda fool
you. There is no free market. It’s a lie, and gets to be more-so as the years
pass. A market is only free as it plays out on a level playing field,
completely free of influence or manipulation by the parties concerned.
Generally speaking, the only place you will find that, a free market, is in a
classroom or textbook–certainly not in the real world. If you believe
otherwise, then you must believe, as they tell you, that the world oil market
is such a free market, the price of which is the resultant effect of the
interactions of supply and demand. Rubbish! Although supply and demand are
certainly contributing factors, so also are speculation, price manipulation,
and the control of supply through the manipulation of refineries by opening and
closing them, holding ships offshore, etc. There is no free market. It is true.
Believe it.
Laissez-faire
capitalism is defined by Wikipedia, as an economic environment in which
transactions between private parties are free from government restrictions,
tariffs, and subsidies, with only enough regulations to protect property rights.
The words are French which literally means “let [them] do,” but it broadly
implies “let it be”, “ let them do as they will,” or “leave it alone”. In
effect, that is a free market. Do you really think such a system left to its
own devices will work? Do you really think? Just look. We have been
deregulating continually since President Carter left office, and it has been a complete
failure. This whole economic mess in which we are currently involved is the
direct result of the greed, avarice, and downright dishonesty of those who advocate
this system, the so-called free market, unregulated and out of control. Although
these people were not prosecuted, they were crooks, legal crooks or illegal
crooks. Call them what you will. They didn’t care about their country; they
didn’t care about people; and they didn’t care about our environment. The only
thing they did care about was themselves–their short-term gain; and, in the
long run, I don’t think they cared about themselves either. They were certainly
smart enough to see what was coming, and they did it anyway (I must note that
they are continuing their evil deeds as we speak, denying our efforts toward
reform). I do note, however, when the smoke cleared after the crash they came
out of this dilemma far better, in general, than most of the rest of us. In
general, their losses were minimal. I can come to no other conclusion,
Capitalism, left to its own pursuit and devices without regulation and control
will self destruct just as surely as those systems on the far left, Communism
and Socialism. Only the strongest will survive; and, then, it will be called by
a different name–perhaps Fascism, perhaps Nazism, whatever. A rose is a rose by
any name. In the end, our Shadow Government will be a shadow no longer. It will
be in your face.
Isn't that what
has been happening over these many years since the beginnings of the eighties,
especially egregious during the administration of George W. Bush, who not only
deregulated but, also, purposely neglected to enforce those laws that were on
the books. It will take years and maybe something else to redirect our nation
on a positive course once again–to get beyond this vicious attack on our
country by these people. One thing is certain, though. We will not solve our
problem by electing them back into office. They should never be given power
again–Ever! Again, let me repeat myself. These people do not care about this
country or the people. They care only about themselves and their own personal
interests. They have forfeited their right to govern. They have sold us out, and I rebuke the
Democrats for not calling them to task for what they have done to us and to our
nation.
We no longer
live in the eighteenth or nineteenth century. This is the twenty-first century.
This is the nuclear age. Our former policy of US vs. them can no longer endure.
Our needs now are far and remote from our needs when we begun. Our forefathers
were exceedingly intelligent, wise, and thinkers beyond their years; and
surely, they must have had the best intent for the long term good of our
country in mind; but, they weren’t omniscient; neither were they fortune
tellers; and neither were they God–they were human beings, just like us. Many
years have passed–almost a quarter of a millennium since our inception as a nation.
There is very little, economically or politically that hasn't changed since–very
little. We must all surely know that. It is past time for us to quit arguing
and come together, to quit living in the past, to reform our law to reflect
where we are now and where we will go from here, to think less of ourselves, but rather to think of our country–our great nation. Anarchy can never be; neither
can tyranny be accepted by us in any way, shape, or form. We must never allow
ourselves to be dominated by anyone–not a person, i.e. a Dictator, and not a
group, i.e. an Oligarchy, such as a Corporatocracy, or Power Elite. We must, also, understand that our freedom
ends where that of others begins. We can no longer do as we please, if we are
to be free and remain so. And, it is also true that we can no longer govern ourselves
as thirteen sovereign nations under a common flag. That the concept of states’
rights must be preserved because of differences in regional needs is a must; but
we must, also, accept that to maintain ourselves as a sovereign nation among
others, we must be and remain one great nation under God with liberty and
justice for all–united we stand, divided we fall. We must have and maintain a
strong central government of the people, by the people, and for the people–all
the people, all 100% of us–the only group under whose control we should abide.
One surely doesn't have to graduate from Harvard or Yale to know that.
If we can’t go
right and we can’t go left. Where can we go? Let me suggest. Why can’t we take
from the best traits of both? We know that both have many. The best parts of
capitalism under proper governance have provided a prosperous standard of
living for our people for many years. The best parts of progressivism have done
the same with economic security, safety nets, and a road for equal opportunity
for all until, unfortunately, its suppression in these latter years.
Some institutions
are better operated under privately operated businesses. Others are more
efficient and less expensive operated collectively. In fact, our Social
Security Administration is one of the most, if not the most efficient
institutions in our government as well as one with the lowest administrative
costs, their long lines at the windows (a sacrifice of efficiency to reduced
costs) notwithstanding. Another example of an institution which would be more
efficiently operated with less expense collectively is Healthcare–currently one
of the most expensive services of all, now contributing more and more to our
national deficit and debt in addition to the bankruptcies of millions of people
annually. Many will disagree, especially those who sell insurance and
pharmaceuticals, but Healthcare is more adaptive and better provided using a
system of collective governance than any privatized application or system of
applications can ever accomplish, the Affordable Care Act notwithstanding.
Of course, this
is arguable, but one only has to look to our northern neighbor, Canada or
England, or some of the European nations. The people there get better
healthcare for far less money–a documented fact. I submit to you that a single payer universal
healthcare system modeled after Medicare would be an ideal start toward the
implementation of a universal healthcare system for our people; and it could be implemented immediately, covering all from the cradle to the grave, just beginning by going to the doctor and having them charge Medicare (Not quite that simple, perhaps, but certainly more so than what we are now experiencing with ACA). Of course there
will be necessary tweaks, perhaps many, but there is no fault to be found that can’t be
corrected by the pen, either up front or after the fact in legislation. Just look at the billions of dollars, if not trillions, that would be saved over the years, the arguing and bickering which would end, and the time and money saved in litigation and legislating, as well as the positive influence on employers and workweek hours. Admit it. A national healthcare system operated collectively makes a lot of sense–a whole lot. In deciding our direction for the future, our focus
point should, and must be, the prosperity and wellbeing of our people–not the
profiteers in this nation. Business, as I have said many times before exists
for the sole purpose of serving people–not their dominance. When a collective
approach is warranted, we should use it. When a private approach is warranted, we should use that.
When Socialism
is cried, I don’t want to hear it. Rid your mind of the propaganda and pejoratives
of the ignorant. The approach which I am suggesting, is using the best of both Capitalism and
Progressivism, a constructive and positive effort toward the improvement of the standard of living and conditions of our people–all our people, the
whole 100%. That’s the direction we want to go. That’s the direction in which
we should go; and, to this end, we must take back our government for the people.
Ronald Miller
mtss86@comcast.net
