Socialism in America, Decline of Capitalism, Reinvent Education, Need For Improved Education
Friday, April 10, 2009
Today's Zinger:
Education is the Antidote to Mediocrity.
Morning Briefing:
The Facts:
A recent Rasmussen pole shows that almost half of all Americans want Socialism. What a dramatic change in just one generation. In a country that was founded on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and where hard work and risk taking often led to significant rewards, we are now entering an era where most of us want a caretaker society. Or do we?
What is socialism? When asked about the meaning of socialism, many people either said health care for all citizens or they tend to think socialism means being social where everyone gets along. Stunning.....
Obviously, most people do not know the real definition of socialism (according to Carl Marx, socialism is the next logical step after capitalism on the way to communism). While I doubt most people would support true socialism, it is clear that there is a growing movement towards greater caring for all citizens through health care, job security, unemployment protection, retirement support and of course greater government involvement in such areas as regulation of banks, Wall Street, food quality, etc.
The demographics of our country are rapidly changing. We are becoming far less educated which leads to lower earning potential. Illegal immigrants put additional downward pressure on incomes. Certain nationalities living in the United States do not value education as much as others (case in point, Americans of Asian decent place a high premium on the value of educating their children).
As the demographics of our country continues to change, along with tax policy that continues to shift a greater burden on the wealthy for the cost of our government and society, we have reached a critical stage. The voting majority are those that do not contribute to the cost of providing the very programs and services they vote to have for themselves. I know that is a harsh statement as there are people along all incomes that support certain aspects of these changes, however, the majority of programs are targeted to those that do not pay for them.
The Democratic party is actively courting the vote of this group and is willing to give them what they want in order to retain their power in government. The Republicans (now known as the old white guy party), in order to survive as a party, must cater to a broader demographic group which means that they too will have to start courting the vote to this group. We will be left with both parties vying for votes based on government programs, which puts even more power in the hands of this demographic group. It becomes self sustaining, just as poverty is self sustaining, much due to government programs. Unfortunately, the combination of our declining education system and government policies will only reinforce this trend.
So what are we to do? America must reinvent its education system. The best way to overcome mediocrity is through an educated society. It is easy to push ideas on an uneducated people. It is easy to keep people enslaved in their mediocrity by continuing to give them the subsistence they need rather that the tools to build their own future. Education gives them the tool to critically evaluate and decide. Education gives them the potential to earn a rewarding future. Education is the best antidote to mediocrity. The rest of the world is aggressively focusing on educating their people. If we don't start focusing on the education of our people now, we will end up with more and more people earning less money and voting for more benefits for themselves. This will continue until there is no one left to tax at the higher income levels. We will reach a point where will be a second tier society in a world of much more educated and wealthy countries.
Our politicians need to be afraid for America's future. Instead they are pandering for their own.
Today's Zinger:
Education is the Antidote to Mediocrity.
Morning Briefing:
- There is a lot of discussion about socialism these days. While we may not be moving to socialism (given the true definition), we are certainly moving to less capitalism and more government involvement in all aspects of our lives.
- We are in danger of losing the basis of our economy since most people do not contribute to the cost of government or the services provided. These voters will pass the burden on to the few that pay for the many.
- Redistribution of wealth will further drive our society to the few supporting the many until such time as the many become like the few and the model can no longer be sustained. At which time all will be in mediocrity.
- Education of our people is the single most important issue that we must undertake as a society or we run the risk of becoming a second tier caretaker society.
The Facts:
- Approximately half of all Americans want America to become a socialist society.
- Approximately half of Americans do not pay any US taxes.
- Approximately 40% of high school students do not graduate (i.e. dropout).
- High school dropouts earn 65% of what a high school graduate earns and a college graduate will make almost three times more than a high school dropout.
- The US education system is falling significantly behind other countries like India and China.
- 10% of income earners pay almost 70% of the income taxes.
- 5% of US residents are illegal.
A recent Rasmussen pole shows that almost half of all Americans want Socialism. What a dramatic change in just one generation. In a country that was founded on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and where hard work and risk taking often led to significant rewards, we are now entering an era where most of us want a caretaker society. Or do we?
What is socialism? When asked about the meaning of socialism, many people either said health care for all citizens or they tend to think socialism means being social where everyone gets along. Stunning.....
Obviously, most people do not know the real definition of socialism (according to Carl Marx, socialism is the next logical step after capitalism on the way to communism). While I doubt most people would support true socialism, it is clear that there is a growing movement towards greater caring for all citizens through health care, job security, unemployment protection, retirement support and of course greater government involvement in such areas as regulation of banks, Wall Street, food quality, etc.
The demographics of our country are rapidly changing. We are becoming far less educated which leads to lower earning potential. Illegal immigrants put additional downward pressure on incomes. Certain nationalities living in the United States do not value education as much as others (case in point, Americans of Asian decent place a high premium on the value of educating their children).
As the demographics of our country continues to change, along with tax policy that continues to shift a greater burden on the wealthy for the cost of our government and society, we have reached a critical stage. The voting majority are those that do not contribute to the cost of providing the very programs and services they vote to have for themselves. I know that is a harsh statement as there are people along all incomes that support certain aspects of these changes, however, the majority of programs are targeted to those that do not pay for them.
The Democratic party is actively courting the vote of this group and is willing to give them what they want in order to retain their power in government. The Republicans (now known as the old white guy party), in order to survive as a party, must cater to a broader demographic group which means that they too will have to start courting the vote to this group. We will be left with both parties vying for votes based on government programs, which puts even more power in the hands of this demographic group. It becomes self sustaining, just as poverty is self sustaining, much due to government programs. Unfortunately, the combination of our declining education system and government policies will only reinforce this trend.
So what are we to do? America must reinvent its education system. The best way to overcome mediocrity is through an educated society. It is easy to push ideas on an uneducated people. It is easy to keep people enslaved in their mediocrity by continuing to give them the subsistence they need rather that the tools to build their own future. Education gives them the tool to critically evaluate and decide. Education gives them the potential to earn a rewarding future. Education is the best antidote to mediocrity. The rest of the world is aggressively focusing on educating their people. If we don't start focusing on the education of our people now, we will end up with more and more people earning less money and voting for more benefits for themselves. This will continue until there is no one left to tax at the higher income levels. We will reach a point where will be a second tier society in a world of much more educated and wealthy countries.
Our politicians need to be afraid for America's future. Instead they are pandering for their own.
Posted by ZK at 4/10/2009 7:13 AM 
Categories: Social issues, Caretaker Government, Politics, Education, Economics
Categories: Social issues, Caretaker Government, Politics, Education, Economics
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