"Socialists?"

 

“I’m very concerned about all the college students who are in favor of socialism, which leads to communism.”

I heard that today, and countered it with something about how the sharp move to the right that we’ve experienced the past couple of years has inevitably invited a sharp move to the left in reaction to it. I suggested that it is unfortunate that we use terms to put people into boxes rather than to help us engage one another in matters of substance. For example, are those students full-blown “socialists,” or do they favor government programs within our current economic system that may be termed, “socialistic?”

On my way home I recalled another conversation that I had yesterday with a father whose daughter is aging out of her parents’ insurance coverage. Despite persistent efforts to get a full-time job, she works two part-time jobs, neither of which offers health insurance. Because of the particularities of her situation she is looking at shelling out $1,000 per month in health insurance premiums.

Is it any surprise if a young person facing such a bill for health care thinks government-provided health care for all is a pretty good idea? For-profit health care is expensive, inefficient, and benefits those who have over those who have not. And policies that put health care—as well as food, housing, education, and many other life or death things—further out of reach for millions will lead to a general consideration of new ways to manage our common economic and political life.

So here’s a question: can capitalism provide for the basic needs of all members of a capitalist society? Will it, if it can? Since the New Deal, we have attempted to answer that question with “yes” through government management of our capitalist economy. There have been successes, but real need persists. We are now betting that removing government intervention will somehow inspire capitalists and capitalism to develop and fund new ways to help Americans overcome want and meet their basic human needs.

In my experience, there’s little reason to believe that will happen. More likely, the rich will get richer and the poor, poorer. That’s what is now happening, at record pace. It is no wonder a lot of people—not just students—are looking at alternatives.