Thursday Column
The Socialist Democratic Party
The Fundamental Transformation of America
"I place economy among the first and most important virtues and public debt as the greatest dangers to be feared." --Thomas Jefferson
Socialist EvolutionParaphrasing the esteemed classical liberal economist, Friedrich von Hayek, Future Freedom Foundation President Jacob Hornberger wrote, "There is no difference in principle, between the economic philosophy of Nazism, socialism, communism, and fascism and that of the American welfare state and regulated economy." British historian, Dr. John Joseph Ray, noted further, "The Big Lie of the late 20th century was that Nazism was Rightist. It was in fact typical of the Leftism of its day. It was only to the Right of Stalin's Communism."
Not only is there little distinction between Soviet and German socialist systems of the 20th century, but there is no consequential distinction between Marxist Socialism, Nationalist Socialism, or the most recent incarnation of this beast, Democratic Socialism. The objective of socialism by any name, is to replace Rule of Law with the rule of men, and the terminus of this transformation is tyranny.
Vladimir Lenin wrote of the application of Marxism in Russia, "Marx said that the revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat lies between capitalism and communism [Read: "socialism"]. He noted, "Political institutions are a superstructure resting on an economic foundation," and that foundation must be destroyed in order to bring down those institutions.
Following the Marxis-Leninist models, in Adolf Hitler's 1925 autobiography "Mein Kampf," he wrote of his Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Workers' Party or NAZI), "The party should not become a constable of public opinion, but must dominate it. It must not become a servant of the masses, but their master." On the the socialist state versus individual Liberty, he wrote, "The unity of a nation's spirit and will are worth far more than the freedom of the spirit and will of an individual; and that the higher interests involved in the life of the whole must here set the limits and lay down the duties of the interests of the individual."
Hitler's regime was founded on his premise, "We are Socialists, we are enemies of the capitalistic economic system...and we are all determined to destroy this system under all conditions." His Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels: "To be a socialist is to submit the I to the thou; socialism is sacrificing the individual to the whole."
This is precisely the principle upon which Barack Hussein Obama and his contemporary cadres of Socialist Democrats are following as they endeavor to raise a socialist government by undermining free enterprise.
Indeed, Democratic Socialism, like Nationalist Socialism, is nothing more than Marxist Socialism repackaged. It seeks a centrally planned economy directed by a dominant-party state that controls economic production by way of taxation, regulation and income redistribution. The success of Democrat Socialism depends upon supplanting Essential Liberty -- the rights "endowed by our Creator" -- primarily by refuting such endowment.
Noted Russian dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn, no stranger to the consequences of statism, wrote, "Socialism of any type leads to a total destruction of the human spirit."
Notably, regardless of the populist variant of Socialism, the consequences of of all three are tyranny. For those who are offended by the comparison of Democratic Socialism to Nationalist and Marxist Socialism, neither Stalin nor Hitler were guilty of exterminating "enemies of the state" until they had ascended to political positions affording consolidation of power in their respective Socialist states. The terminus of Socialism under any label, is tyranny. As Von Hayek observed, "Many who think themselves infinitely superior to the aberrations of Nazism, and sincerely hate all manifestations, work at the same time for ideals whose realization would lead straight to the abhorred tyranny."
So what do these observations have to do with the current state of economic and political affairs in our great nation? Unfortunately, more than most Americans currently realize.
However discomforting this fact might be, there is abundant and irrefutable evidence that Barack Hussein Obama and his socialist cadre are endeavoring to "fundamentally transform the United States of America" with a debt bomb, the future shockwave of which, they surmise, will break the back of free enterprise. From the ashes of that cataclysm, Obama and his ilk envision restructuring our national economy as a Democrat Socialism State.
If you think such assertions are just rhetorical hyperbole, think harder.
As the direct result of Obama's "economic recovery plan," the central government budget forecast for the current fiscal year includes a historic $1.65 trillion deficit. Given the economic consequences of continued growth in unfunded government spending (including ObamaCare), the potential inflation on our immediate horizon (prompted primarily by increasing energy costs), and diminished confidence in the U.S. dollar, the deficit proportion of fiscal-year 2012's $3.73 trillion budget will set yet another appalling record.
More perilous for consumers is the potential for "stagflation," a remnant from the Carter era that combines static or decreasing wages (stagnant economic growth) with increasing commodity prices (inflation).
In February alone, Obama's central government accrued a record $223 billion deficit for one month. To put this in perspective, that single-month deficit exceeds the entire 2007 budget deficit under George W. Bush -- you know, the one that was Demo-gogued during the 2008 campaign cycle.
Republicans scraped together a few more cuts for their feeble $61 billion in proposed 2011 budget reductions, but Obama and his Senate Democrats declared they would approve only $4.7 billion in additional cuts. "Do we want jobs?" asked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). "If we do, then we simply cannot pass the plan the Tea Party has already pushed through the House."
What is needed, if we're to have jobs in five years, is $4.7 billion in additional cuts for every day of this year's budget, and those that follow.
Indeed, the Senate voted down the House budget, which was to be expected. Reid went so far as to declare it "mean-spirited." Obama's Senate protagonist, John Kerry, defined the meager Republican cuts as an "ideological, extremist, reckless statement" that "would contribute to the reversal of our recovery. It might even destroy our recovery."
Since Democrats have lambasted and voted against any cuts proposed by Republicans, the Republican "leadership" should stand true to last fall's elections and propose those deep cuts promised on the campaign trail. There are budget solutions, but these require political courage and resolve, a rare commodity in our nation's Capital.
As it stands now, Congress is borrowing 40 cents of every dollar it spends and our national debt is $14 trillion, which is about 97 percent of our nation's gross domestic product (economic production) in 2010.
"Deficit spending," concluded Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1987-2006), "is simply a scheme for the hidden confiscation of wealth." And that is precisely the prescription necessary to establish Democratic Socialism.
If the future shock of this debt bomb set by Obama and his Useful Idiots does not yet cause you considerable heartburn, consider the implication of these statistics: Of total U.S. wages and employee benefits paid in 2010, 35 percent were paid by the central government as wages, or in fulfillment of entitlement programs. Read that again and let it sink in.
In 1960, wages and entitlement program distributions by the central government were 10 percent of total U.S wages and benefits. Over the next 40 years, that figure doubled to 20 percent. In just one decade since, that figure has increased to 35 percent, with the baby boomer wave yet to fully draw on government income and social services. This explains, in part, why federal spending has increased from $1.86 trillion in 2001 to $3.82 this year. Social welfare spending alone has increased by $514 billion since Obama took office.
Some 8 percent of the total work force is government employed, which is to say that the remaining 27 percent is wages and benefits for mostly unfunded government programs.
Obama's proposed spending levels and the resulting debt are unsustainable -- by design.
In 2010, central government spending in the U.S. was almost 41 percent of our nation's GDP -- by far the highest it has been since WWII. It will exceed that in 2011. For the record, in the last decade of the Soviet Union's existence before its collapse, the USSR's central government spending peaked at 49 percent of GDP. When their economy collapsed, it was clear that socialism had failed, and they have attempted to move toward a free market system.
However, once Obama's debt bomb has collapsed the U.S. economy, his Leftist successors will "never let a serious crisis to go to waste," in the words of his former White House Chief. Rather than restore proven free market principles, they envision the full state implementation of Democratic Socialism, which they have been incrementally instating for a generation.
Currently, both political parties are resorting to tired old political formulas when asked about the challenge of balancing the national budget. Both suggest that it will take more than a decade -- a pathetic excuse that we have heard for decades. (As for those claims of surpluses in the Clinton years resulting from the economic growth set in motion during the Reagan years: not so when one takes into account the Social Security "lock box IOUs.")
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) concludes, "It is very difficult to balance the budget within 10 years without cutting seniors' benefits now, and as I said before, our vision of entitlement reform will protect today's seniors and those nearing retirement."
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) insists, "We're not going to [have a balanced budget] in 10 years, but we have to be on a very considered path to get there, certainly, within the next decade and a half or two decades."
Any pretense that Obama has any intention of balancing the budget is spurious, as the smallest estimated annual deficit that his budget will run during the next decade is $615 billion.
Meanwhile, he continues to recycle these prevarications: "Not only were we able to yank this economy out of the recession, not only were we able to get this economy going again, but in the last 15 months we've seen the economy add jobs. We didn't just rescue the economy; we put it on the strongest footing for the future."
So what are the political consequences when the money runs out, when the lenders withdraw, when the smoke clears and the mirrors shatter from the debt bomb shockwave?
Some will settle for the institution of Democratic Socialism.
However none should underestimate the potential groundswell of protest across our nation, composed primarily of legions of Patriots fully capable of intervening on behalf of the Rule of Law enshrined in our Constitution.
If those elected to national office, regardless of political affiliation, fail to abide by their oaths to Support and Defend our Constitution, particularly its limitations on the central government which have been disregarded for much of the last century, then we, the people, will restore the integrity of our Constitution, as is our right and obligation. Rest assured, there will come a time for choosing as outlined by Ronald Reagan, and that time must come.
One might recall that our Declaration of Independence and Constitution were the product of civil disobedience and revolution against a lesser form of tyranny than that imposed today. In the words of Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, "The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
For those whom such notions offend, I offer these words of parting from Samuel Adams: "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom -- go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!"
102 Comments
LR Smith
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:24 PM
Editor;As a High School History/Government teacher, I agree completely with your analysis. I have seen the similarities that you mentioned and fear for our country. The brand of socialism being embraced and instituted by the White House will lead this great nation to destruction. I hope the current House of Representatives has the backbone to stop these programs and that the electorate will remove the incumbant in 2012. I have become involved in local politics more now than ever before to do my part to see that this happens.
David C. Black
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Just say when, Mark. If I am able, I will be there!
mike
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:34 PM
Brilliant in its simplicity................A. Back off and let those men who want to marry men, marry men.B. Allow those women who want to marry women, marry women.C. Allow those folks who want to abort their babies, abort their babies.D. In three generations, there will be no Democrats.Just Damn - I love it when a plan comes together
Douglas Harrison
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:41 PM
Strychnine, cyanide, arsenic, thallium, gu (a.k.a. jincan), racin, hemlock, and many more are all poisons. In general, if someone gives you any one of these, or a cocktail containing all of them, it doesn't much matter what you call it if you're dead. It only matters specifically if there is a chance of saving you with the proper antidote.Communism, socialism, Marxism, Leninism, Maoism, etc., in general, are all poisons to a free market and the American way of life. It only matters which specific "ism" you're talking about when you are seeking remedies for reversing what the "progressives" (a.k.a. liberals) are trying to do to America. We need antidotes to all the Left's "isms."In the meantime, no matter which term one uses for the economic poison Democrats are feeding us, just take it to mean that any and all "isms" favored by the Left must be opposed.
Ken in Tyler
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Bravo Zulu, Mark. I always feel blessed to still have the Liberty to receive and read your essay each week. May I in return bring you a word of caution? Your thoughts this week, though expressed well, fall short of addressing the dire condition of our nation. We are now in the last stage Churchill spoke of: duty bound to fight but with only the tiniest probability of victory. It is my sincere hope that you, your family, staff and indeed all the readers of the Patriot Post are preparing for the disaster which is now almost inevitable. One of my most often used quotes from your "Essential Liberty" booklet is, "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom." Can we still claim that exalted status as a people? If not, better set Condition Zebra. Very rough seas ahead. Semper Fi-
RiverKing
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:51 PM
Rifleman: Wealth and income are not synonymous as you seem to think. Even if we accept Michael Moore's numbers that you're quoting (which I don't), you seem to be assuming that great wealth or great income are inherently immoral. After all, you don't have either so how could anyone else unless they did something illegal, immoral, or both. They couldn't possibly work harder, be smarter, or picked better parents than you. Flash: All men are CREATED equal; they are not guaranteed equal results except in a socialist tyranny.
Major Stu
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:53 PM
In addition to the linked Heritage Foundation report, there needs to be a concerted effort to reduce the bloat, overlap, redundancy, and inefficiency of the existing federal bureaucracy as outlined in the recent GAO report. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703749504576172942399165436.html?mod=WSJhpLEFTTopStories# Immediate estimated savings of $100 - $200 Billion make the Democrats proposed $4.7 Billion proposal look like the rounding error, chump change that it is, and this is the low-hanging fruit. Eliminating subsidies to the Leftist front organizations such as Planned Parenthood (founded by a racist), Corporation for Public Broadcasting, NEA/NEH, and abolishing the unconstitutional Depts. of Education to devolve authority back to the States. And repeal the 17th Amendment to give the Senators a focus on their respective states instead of the national cocktail party circuit viewpoint. Give the states legislatures the authority to recall their Senators and help keep their hearts and minds on the States, from which the Union sprang, instead of continually dumping unfunded mandates on them. Failing this, be prepared to recall the advice of the Founders in the magnificent Declaration of Independence. "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." Remember the Virginia state motto, "Sic Semper Tyrannis"
David
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:11 PM
Norman McCallHow long do we wait?Posted March 10, 2011 at 12:00:35 PMWhen the first is gone it will only be a short time before they come for the second. I suggest limiting the time of deliberation. When the voices of freedom are silenced, darkness follows swiftly.
Jon
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Was it not Lenin who said:"to destroy a capitalist society,debauch the currency".
Editor's Reply:
Semper Fi
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:19 PM
Phenomenal essay, Mark! But you need to stop holding back and tell us exactly how you feel! Well done. Semper Fi
Bob W
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:25 PM
Obama said “Judge me by the people who surround me”OK, the American people did, and they don’t like it: John Holdren, Cass Sustein, Ezekiel Emmanel, Van Jones, and Mark Loyd, et al. socialist minded ideologues. Any questions about his political directions for America and substance as a politician? I have known none.
Frank E.
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:35 PM
03/10/11 MIKE:Has informed us,The ISLAMIC MUSLIM SNAKE who now occupies the OVAL office,with his DEMOCRATIC PARTY of TREASON has almost completed his GOAL of TRASHING OUR FOUNDERS GIFT TO THE WORLD!!!!!!111 WAKE-UP WAKE-UP Before it's too late!!!!!
Norman
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:36 PM
The next two years is a critical time for our country. Barrak Obama is going to continue to push spending that benefits his base and not others. If you recall the 50 billion stolen from the people and given to the teachers unions or the theft of property from the auto stockholders and the ownership transfer to the auto unions.In the next two years as Obama sees the end of his agenda on the horizon he will continue to use the one tool he has available to him. The power to bribe people and drag down its citizens with tax dollars. His end game is simple to destroy the ability of the government to meet its obligations and force the government to tax more.Taxation is servitude to the government when its used for redistribution. There are very limited situations that any American should be forced to give money so that another can benefit from his labors. It is not healthcare, nor social security nor even welfare or unemployment. That is for charity. When you allow the government to tax you and give your hard earned money to others you are allowing them to chose for you what is best. You as an American know how to best use your money and its not some highly paid union worker sitting behind a government desk.The time is coming as the socialists have shown their hand. They will be desperate in the next few years as the fight between liberty and slavery begins with the hearts and minds of the citizens. Do your part... speak of liberty and the tyranny of government debt.
JAMES
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:43 PM
I agree with your argument, however I find it petty/childish to insist on including 'Hussein' in Barack's name. So what? Is that really so important - the cheap emotional shot? Or do you judge your audience to be so juvenile?
Editor's Reply:
James R Marbach, PhD
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:55 PM
I often hear people say they don't understand what Obama is trying to do. It has been clear from the beginning of his presidential campaign that he knows very well what he is doing. Unempolyment, inflation, higher taxes all on top of an unbelievable debt is designed to bring down the country. He is counting on people being convinced they can't change things until they become desparate and have to give in to govenment handouts. In the meantime quiet efforts will continue to completely disarm the public. In 1836 the last demand from the Mexican government was to reliquish all arms. Sam Houston knew it would be surrender to do that. The Muslims have a list of objectives needed to bring down the infidels. You should publish that list for all to see.