Socialism: Yes or No?
Posted Sep. 1 at 9:03 pm by Krist Novoselic
Deutsche Demokratische Republik
During Nirvana’s first tour of Europe in November of 1989, we found ourselves at a historic moment. Germans were tearing down the Berlin Wall, piece by piece, the broken concrete a symbol of forty five years of Soviet domination crumbling away.
We drove through East Germany en route to Berlin. On the road leaving the east side, we counted a line of cars 45 kilometers long full of East Germans going through the Western border.
Almost without exception, East Germans drove the same kind of car, the Trabant. This vehicle was made of cardboard and featured the same kind of engine that power chain saws. Even though it was 1989, the East Germans were driving a car with a design that had changed little in the 1950s.
Since the East German State owned the means of production and distribution, there was little incentive to develop products. On the other hand, West Germans were leaders in developing autos that were efficient, safe and reliable. With the free enterprise system, innovation was bred in the atmosphere of competition.
Most people know of the failings of State Socialism. In the United States, the term socialism is loaded, usually surfacing in conservative political rhetoric pointed at Democrats and those with left-wing ideals. Often, when a discussion on health care mentions state involvement, the idea is derided as socialized medicine.
I’m a staunch supporter of the free enterprise system and live a good life as a result of capitalism. But I’m not so quick to dismiss socialism. Socialism is all around us in the United Sates, and especially Washington State.
In 1930, Washington Voters effectively nationalized electricity distribution with the Grange-sponsored Initiative No. 1. Instead of a private power utility, the people can create a non-profit, locally regulated, Public Utility District. The idea behind the PUD is to pass the profit of an essential like electricity to the people instead of a private monopoly. Whidbey Island will be voting on a measure to create a PUD this fall.
In Washington State, the people own 5.6 million acres of land. The sale of timber from public land funds schools and universities. It also is a major provider of revenue to county governments. The common wealth of our timber land helps pay for local services that would otherwise need to be funded wholly with tax dollars.
Billions in Federal tax dollars flow into Puget Sound’s public and private industry. The Naval Shipyard in Bremerton is a public entity that’s a major source of good paying jobs. Boeing employs thousands with billion dollar defense program contracts.
Now that the Governor of Alaska is on the Republican presidential ticket, I wonder what her thoughts are regarding that states Permanent Fund Dividend? This is a program where The State gives the people, a share of Trans-Alaska oil pipeline revenues - paid with an annual check. ($1,600USD per resident was last year’s dividend!)
Socialism is alive and well in the United States. Like most others, conservatives love a functional socialism: they just won’t admit it.
Comments
Article is absolutely right, for better or worse. I was at a seminar on economics where I was asking why taxpayers were forced to pay premium wages on road projects at rates 40% higher than I could hire on private projects. Seattle lefty state rep simply said "what free market? There is no free market"
Posted Sep. 2 at 6:25 am by eastkingcountyredneckloggerI can name that tune in one note: taxes
Posted Sep. 3 at 12:18 pm by MikeHas anyone seen this?
Posted Sep. 3 at 1:10 pm by JonPantherkrist, i love you so much.
Posted Sep. 3 at 1:14 pm by Nirvana Ruleserr, this..?
Posted Sep. 3 at 1:19 pm by JonPantherhttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173
In the United States Capitalism and Socialism married in the 1930's but kept Capitalism name. We have a Socialized Capitalism. Roosevelt and the Democratic party in the 1930's saved capitalism from its excesses by socializing it.
Posted Sep. 4 at 4:57 am by Tom MullNow, how 'bout health care for all!?
Posted Sep. 4 at 1:32 pm by DuffKrist, when you were in Berlin, did you see David Hasselhoff singing on the wall when it was comming down. Your band should have played instead.
Posted Sep. 5 at 7:12 pm by JeffThank you for bringing up the pipeline. As an Alaskan, I've had heated discussions with other residents about the conflicting issue of the Permanent Fund Dividend. It's particularly humorous in a state that considers itself one of the most conservative in the nation, and yet if you were to suggest to one of us that they give up that yearly check, hell no would be the most common response.
Posted Sep. 6 at 12:12 pm by pipelinepoisonJust for the record, the Trabant was not made of cardboard. It never was. It was made of Duroplast, a high strength plastic reinforced with cotton. The result was a strong body that was light, easily replaceable, strong, and rust free. When the Trabant was originally designed it had many advanced features. The duroplast was developed to save metal because the US had imposed a steel embargo. It is true that over the years, the Trabant didn't change much. But that doesn't mean socialism doesn't produce some good products. Take a peek at the magnificent Tatra 600 or 603 for examples.
Posted Sep. 11 at 7:36 pm by David Landsberger