Freedom is such a beautiful thing. We are blessed to be in a country where we can exercise our freedom through work and leisure (and mixing them in whichever proportions we would like). And while we all like to speak on how much we enjoy and appreciate our freedoms, I think it is still under-valued by many of us.
The socioeconomic system that we have found ourselves in is a tremendously beneficial system for just about everyone involved, in some way, shape, or form. We can choose our employment, we can choose our level of education, and we can roughly choose the way we live. These decisions, which we are generally free to make, reflect the opportunities that we can find. They also reflect the positive and negative consequences of these decisions. And when we don’t like one, or business and our world evolve, then we can always change and start a new course. Sure, our system isn’t perfect. We do not all find the opportunity to work a dream job. We won’t all end up millionaires. But considering the alternatives, this sure is the place to be.
Reading the Communist Manifesto is sure to strike at some nerve in most people. That emotion that many people probably find is an extreme boredom. It would probably strike many folks, as it has struck myself, that it seems very whiny. The whole document blames the bourgeoisie, the ruling class, for all of the world’s problems and the oppression of normal, working class people. Which may have been true in the days of feudalism, but is no longer true, or close to true, in our country.
Modern day Marxism and its derivatives in America scream “I should not be responsible for my bad decisions.” One of the most pathetic human behaviors is to blame someone else for one’s own failures or adverse situation, when the fault truly belongs to the individual. Many folks who feel that America’s system is oppressive have that character trait. On the other hand, maybe they argue that the lowly working class cannot make it upwards by their own merit, which is such a condescending attitude to have. Either way, these folks are confused. The belief that massive overhaul or revolution must occur for the working class to be treated fairly is entirely incorrect in our country.
We already have the freedom to be humane socially and in business. We already have the freedom to start companies that treat workers fairly, or put them on pedestals. We already have the freedom to save up for our own retirements, or pay for our children’s higher education, or donate to charities that help a plethora of worthwhile causes. If we feel oppressed at one job, we have the freedom to move to another.
We also have historical records of failed communist systems. These systems, which extolled the value of human life, also led to the deaths of millions of their own citizens. Do you see the double standard? Capitalism does not kill on the basis of ideological differences. Socialism wouldn’t be much better, as for these systems to work perfectly you would need a perfect person in total control. Someone who is always fair, always morally and ethically sound, and totally impervious to corrupting forces. Out of all the people I know who fit that description, I can say with certainty that they came under a different flag, and did not come to force us to do anything. They want us to act morally on our own accord, which is why they gave us free will.
Our system isn’t perfect, of course. Jesus isn’t a capitalist any more than He is a socialist. But our system that we have now give us the opportunities that we could never see in Marxism or its derivatives. Where Marx argued that the only way out of the low, working class is by revolution, American citizens prove everyday (and have been since throughout its history, see the “history.com” link below) that the transition does not need such drastic action. Conversely, those who come from the “ruling class” do not always see the full extent of power themselves and may fall out. If that were not true, we would be winding down the first term of President Jeb Bush.
Sources:
https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jeb-Bush
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/madame-c-j-walker
https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/100-years-communism-death-deprivation
Bayou Observant 