In Defense of Socialism

Jeff Harding criticizes the college educated youth that are gravitating to Socialism with puerile augments such as “Capitalism has provided the greatest prosperity ever.” This is simply not true; it has provided the greatest wealth inequality in history and left our environment shattered. Science has progressed in the last 200 years, and this provided the basis for a current high standard of living, not a primitive arrangement between employer and employee modeled on the Lord over serf mindset (just like slavery).

The extreme Capitalist is the reason we are in so much trouble now with our debt and standard of living for the average American. Housing has simply become unreachable for an average income in the U.S., and young adults see a bleak future with no chance of advancement in their lives. Indeed, it says more about Mr. Harding than the young adults he chastises for looking for a better system. No doubt, in the wealthy enclave of Montecito, the prospect of “Socialism” is frightening to those who have either inherited their wealth or exploited those less fortunate in our society to obtain it.

China’s rapid growth simply flies in the face of Mr. Harding’s claim that Socialism never works. Their combination of a highly regulated private sector and government projects have simply lifted more people out of poverty, faster than any other system in history. They also don’t spend 40% of their GDP manipulating stock prices, so the rich can accumulate ever greater amounts of wealth. Everything I have just said can be backed up with actual facts, not invalidated by clichés of how great our system is. The youth of America are simply stating the obvious – that something is drastically wrong with our current economic system, and it needs to be examined carefully.

The New Deal was a result of the last time we had such a huge disparity of wealth and income. It has been the most successful application of Socialism our country has ever seen. Now, Trump and his extreme neoliberal minions are trying to dismantle it as fast as possible. The result will be suffering we have never encountered in our lifetime if he is successful.

Christopher Keate MSEE

The Bear on Books

Jeff Wing’s article on Tecolote Bookstore was fascinating; however, I’d like to add three points.

1.) Tecolote has a wide variety of books and book related items to keep one’s mind happy. Their New Yorker puzzles come to mind.

2.) Mary and her staff are all avid readers and are available to recommend a read or order one, if you like.

3.) It has air conditioning that makes it a good place to browse the stacks on a hot day.

Also, they have terrific book signing events that I find most interesting and enjoyable. Three cheers for Tecolote, the only bookstore in The Cito, conveniently located in the Upper Village!  

-Carlos, The Bear, & Michael Edwards