Several members of my “comedy” blog viewing audience have been curious as to my political affiliation. I admit, often times, it is quite hard to discern which theory I align myself with. However they’re curiosity is not directed at whether I am a liberal or a conservative but instead is directed at whether I am a socialist or not. They’re inquisitiveness began shortly after this post here which was published some time ago.
It is true that I will publish one post that has you believe I am a conservative and another that will make it seem like I am a liberal; much in the same that I can appear to be a Capitalist and a Socialist.
Well, it is true, I am a socialist.
It hasn’t always been easy aligning myself with an economic/political theory that is misunderstood by the masses; albeit being a Canadian has made it significantly less difficult than, say, if I were to be an American (from what I see on the FOXNews). Most people automatically think Socialism is unanimous with the Nazi Party or with Communism (which also suffers from misunderstanding) and, therefore, will disregard my beliefs as “crazy,” “ridiculous” or “Nazism.” I have on many occasions found myself involved in yelling matches with my dear friend’s father, an earnest Republican (even though he is a citizen of Canada). He has gone so far as to claim I am no better than Hitler himself, that my beliefs are filthy, unchristian and “so far from truth that I am to be pitied.” I have since decided to forego any invitations to visit my friend at his home.
The intention of this post is not to convert anyone to my way of thinking (although we could use the numbers…) but instead to dispel the misunderstandings of what it means to be a Socialist (at least in my case).
Unlike Communism which has a clear outline of what Communism is, Socialism does not have one set theory. Socialist theories range from a Communism type collective ownership to a government run and regulated economy to a Nationalist government run economy (Nationalism usually synonymous with racism) to a democratically elected government that oversees a Socialist-like economic system (heavy regulations, tax relief for lower classes, heavier taxes for upper classes, social programmes, et cetera). True, Hitler and his Nazi Party were Socialists (of the Nationalistic variety) and, yes, they are the reason Socialism has a terrible image but to group all Socialists into one camp is not only wrong it is moronic.
I am of the democratically elected government that oversees a Socialist economy camp. I believe that the government should own essential industries (Crown Corporations) in order to use them for the benefit of the nation, I believe that the government should heavily regulate the Capitalist market, I believe that those who are in the upper classes should be taxed far heavier than those who are in the lower classes, I believe that lower classes should have heavy tax cuts, social programmes should be generously funded, that we should have salary caps so that people are not making ridiculous sums of money, that corporations should be required by law to donate a certain percentage of their annual profits to charity. I believe that money should not separate us, I believe it ridiculous that people within our own country starve to death simply because they can not afford food, I believe that it is wrong for a CEO to make millions while a single mother with four kids must work three jobs in order to be able to feed and clothe her children, I believe that man should be judged not by the content of his wallet but the content of his heart. If this makes me a filthy Socialist than I shall never wish to be clean.
A Socialist society, to me, is the closest we will ever get to a perfect Utopia and I feel that the Capitalist society we currently live in is taking us further and further from this near-Utopia every day.
If you would like to learn more about Socialism (and Communism) please visit these links:
