I talked to my Mom about her doctor's appointment and was so
relieved she did not have to pay for that medical care. I took a 763 mile road
trip to Columbus, Ohio on Interstate 90, a beautiful stretch
of road. Thank goodness I did not have to take a slow local route for my journey.
My friend serves in the Coast Guard. I am in awe of his service and commitment
to guarding America's
borders. I'm a proud graduate of the University
of Massachusetts. The
reduced costs of state funded schools got me to college. I live in a town that
has the top rated public schools in the state. Anyone who moves here can attend
for free. I sometimes visit a local county run prison and help lead a gathering
on substance abuse and recovery. I pray these men might one day be free and
clean and sober. I love and support all of these government programs.
Does that make me a socialist?
Is a socialist one who believes that certain functions are
best overseen and run by the government? Functions that benefit the many, that if the
government did not undertake these, no one would. Collecting taxes from the
citizenry to fund communal services. Health
care for everyone over the age of 65 and for the poor. Food subsidies for folks
who need help to feed themselves or their families. Prisons that house
criminals and at their best seek to rehabilitate a person. Public schools that try
to guarantee equal access to a good education for all. The military, the
biggest part of our federal budget by far, called to defend our nation and fight
to keep us and others free. I passionately believe in all of these things as a
person of faith and as an American.
Does that make me a socialist?
I ask this because a new election cycle is beginning and
yes, I'm just as depressed about that as you are. Candidates fall all over
themselves to promise everything and anything. Medicare for all! Break up
Facebook and Google! On the other side incumbents use red herrings like the
threat of SOCIALISM, to rile up their base and scare the hell out of the rest
of the country. This pseudo debate about SOCIALISM is cranking up to eleven in
the media. It just may be the central point of contention as 2020 looms.
What's not said is that SOCIALISM, at least in a hybrid
form, is already how we do some things in the United States. But nuance is never
rewarded in politics. Instead hyperbolic claims like the false enemy or false
savior called SOCIALISM is how we do elections. And yes, I promise I will eventually
stop writing SOCIALISM in all caps.
Does government always get it right? No. Like any
institution, government wastes money and burdens some with
bureaucracy and onerous regulation. Government is made up of fallible human
beings, after all, like you and me.
But neither does the private sector always get it right. Drug
companies can gouge sick people with outrageous charges for medicines and
treatments. Think Mylan, a company that raised the cost of an EpiPen from $50
to $600 and then made a billion dollars. Certain companies don't offer decent
health care insurance to employees thus forcing the government to pick up that
cost. Think Wal-Mart. Banks have acted recklessly, played fast and loose with
depositor's money and put the whole economy at risk. Think 2008. The private realm is made up
fallible human beings, after all, like you and me.
Here's my witness. I want and need my government to do some
things, no question. I want Uncle Sam and Beacon Hill
to continue to try and provide health care for as many people as possible. To
provide a social safety net for the poorest and the sickest and the oldest of
Americans. To build roads and bridges and infrastructure that are safe and
efficient. To teach children and youth and young adults for free, to ensure all
have a chance at the American dream through the gift of public schools.
I believe in this as an American and as a person of faith.
Does that make me a "socialist"?
Well then, I suppose, if we collect Social Security or use
Medicare and or go to public schools or drive the Mass Pike or serve in the
armed forces, we all get to wear that label.
SOCIALISM! Couldn't help myself.
No comments:
Post a Comment