Dept of Alternative Facts: Socialism

socialism (n): a form of government in which various needs and interests of the citizens are funding by a central government

In controlling the narrative, the GOP raises the flag of socialism around the time of elections to draw fearful voters to their precincts (the Democratic Party does the same, just with different fear-mongering themes). As propaganda goes, the more vaguely a threat is defined, the more the listener will fill in the blank. Thus, “socialism” comes off as some 1950’s The Blob or The Monster from the Black Lagoon horror flick with grainy views of what the red-scare might actually look like.

That, of course gave me an opportunity to write to our local paper:

I have been reading the political columns and advertisements in the paper, as well as seeing many “Fed Up, Vote Republican” signs around the county.  The general theme appears to be that our government as become a socialist government, this is bad, and Republicans candidates will “drain the swamp”.  I have been thinking of some ways that those with these beliefs can help the problem of government involvement in our lives, regardless of who sits in which seat of power.

First, start with health care.  Stop accepting Medicare and Medicaid, and do not sign up for health care insurance through your employer as these programs for the most part follow guidelines from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS) as well as The Affordable Care Act (ACA, aka Obama Care).  Self-insure, like old order Mennonite communities, then we will be accountable to our neighbors who will be paying our medical bills.  And, if illness is the result of the Fall recorded Genesis, accept that dying from a heart attack, stroke, cancer, liver or kidney failure is part of God’s plan. Fill out Advanced Directives and do not call the rescue squad.

As reported recently, agricultures is a primary business in our county.  Forego federal funding, programs, and grants from the USDA.  We should pay for our own farms, poultry and beef operations, land conservation, and crop insurance. 

Also, rural electrical and telephone services came through USDA programs, as I understand, so prior generations should have waited for private industry to put up power and telephone lines.  Should we dig up the fiber optic lines that the federal government funded and return them?

Thinking of infrastructure, we should stop asking the federal government to build the highway through our county?.  If I recall correctly, in the 1890’s every health male in the county was obligated to give two days to maintain the roads in the county.  Maybe we should put in a little sweat-equity of our own to finish off the highway.

And while we are discarding federal funds for infrastructure, we can let Senators M and C know that we no longer want the government intervening in in our water sourcing and sewage disposal projects.

Let’s not forget education.  I do not know to what extent, but I bet our local schools, community college, and public universities are utilizing federal funds for various building projects, meals, educational resources, and following federal guidelines for boys and girls sports.  Homeschooling and setting up non-school based sports and arts programs could fill that gap and keep our youth from worrying about…I won’t even say…. One factor in successful education, homeschool, private or public school is the engagement of the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other folks who are like family.  Let’s not expect those who are beholden to federal, or possibly the whim of the state legislature, to call the shots. “Teach your children well” some song went years ago.

We should also be skeptical of signing up for military service.  This is a federal program, of course, and therefore must be at risk of corruption by Commie Joe.  The current interpretation of the Second Amendment should be sufficient to protect ourselves.  Don’t let generals beholden to Princesses in the Middle-East, dictators in Asia and South American, or alliances in Europe be recruiting our soldiers into their regional conflicts.

I’m sure that I could go on, but I’m probably past my allotted 500 words.  But, do the above and the swamp will be blooming more than tulips next Spring.

Now, when you go to vote, consider how much socialism has provided for your ability to do so: all the political information you have received in your USPS mail box, the roads or public transportation that you use to get to your polling station, the federal grants which paid for the voting machines or paper ballots, the Social Security and Medicare benefits which the (most likely) over 65 poll workers are using to be healthy enough to help you cast your ballot…, see how the list goes on. Otherwise, get your horse and axe out to cut your way through a new path to the polls (just don’t cross over any National Parks or Forests along the way).

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