By William Haupt III | The Center Square
The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a
higher level.”
– Norman Mailer
Socialism always fails because its flawed concept of
socioeconomic parity never works when the government replaces free markets.
Since government does not produce anything, when it controls everything,
materials for human survival cease to exist. Primitive necessities are provided
by labor controlled by government. They are rationed since there is no capital
investment. With the absence of free markets, the supply chain for goods and
services crumbles into disrepair and socialism fails.
When millennials discovered the fantasy world of Bernie
Sanders during his first failed presidential bid, thousands of progressive
activists supported his fantasies to turn the U.S. into a Nordic welfare state.
An out of touch Sanders explained, “I think we should look to Denmark, Sweden
and Norway, and learn from what they have accomplished for their people and do
exactly the same thing here.”
Although Sanders’ presidency failed to materialize, the
idea of socialism replacing capitalism was adopted by liberals around the U.S.
And it is now a key part of the Democrat’s ideology.
“Although the big word on the left is compassion, the big
agenda on the left is dependency.”
– Thomas Sowell
Throughout the 2016 campaign, Democrats echoed the
sentiments of Sanders and his dreams to make America more like Scandinavian
countries. They praised socialism and promised to clone America into another
Denmark, Sweden, Finland, or Norway. And a number of candidates that ran as
socialists were elected because of their pledges to replace American capitalism
with socialism.
In 2011, Bill Clinton said Finland and Sweden offered
greater opportunities for individuals to climb the social ladder than the U.S.
does. In 2010, Barack Obama gathered leaders from Nordic countries in
Washington to find out how to correct our economic disparities. Since they have
less income inequality, socialized medicine and generous welfare programs, he
wanted to do that here.
“I believe that when you spread the wealth around, it is
good for everybody.”
– Barrack Obama
On the surface, it’s not difficult to conceive why
gullible common core educated millennials have a morbid attraction toward
Nordic-style socialism. These countries have a uniquely good standard of
living, a low rate of poverty with more narrow income disparities than the U.S.
But there is a glowing fact that American socialists fail to mention. The
economic and social success of Nordic countries pre-dates the progressive
welfare-state policies and it relies totally on the redistribution of wealth!
After hearing so much about his nation labeled as
socialist by Democrats, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen asked to
speak at a lecture on Nordic governments at Harvard University. He stated he
had “no wish to interfere with U.S. politics” but had great concerns that the
Democrats were claiming Denmark was a socialist nation. He retorted, “I want to
make it clear: Denmark is not a socialist country! Denmark is a market economy and
our nation relies on capitalism to succeed.”
He added: “The Nordic model is an expanded welfare state
which provides a high level of security. But it is also a successful market
economy with great freedom to pursue your dreams and live your life as you wish.
Our top income tax is 60%. We have a 25% sales tax including cars, and our vat
taxes are 180%. In total, Danish taxes are almost half of our national income
compared to around only the 25% in the U.S. Our substantially higher tax rate
is how we finance our welfare system.”
The left campaigns about the Nordic countries’ successful
socialized medicine, support systems, welfare system, unemployment pay outs,
and government benefits. But it fails to mention they are financed by the
largest tax rates in the world. This is not socialism; it is redistribution of
wealth!
“Facts are seldom allowed to contaminate the beautiful
vision of the left.”
– Thomas Sowell
America will never be able to emulate the Nordic-model
simply because our culture is a melting pot from people around the world. The
economic and social success of the Nordic countries came to fruition when they
adopted free-market capitalism. And the success in these nations is due to a
culture that emphasizes social cohesion, hard work and strict individual
responsibility, not welfare.
What the left has failed to mention is the Nordic
countries’ high levels of income equality evolved with the introduction of
capitalist competition. Swedish economist Jesper Roine explains that “most of
Sweden’s decrease in income inequality took place long before the expansion of
their welfare state.” Noted economist Anthony Barnes reached a similar
conclusion for Denmark and Norway.
Sociologists agree people in the Nordic countries who
migrated to the U.S. combined their Nordic cultural work ethic with U.S.
capitalism and became highly prosperous here. Danish Americans today have a 55%
higher living standard than Danes. Similarly, Swedish Americans have a 53%
higher living standard than Swedes. Finnish and Norwegian Americans have
similar success here.
The left fails to mention Nordic Americans are more
successful than many Americans. They have higher high school and college
graduation rates and a lower unemployment rate. And few are living in poverty.
On the other hand, Americans that migrate to Nordic countries fare worse than
Nordics do here. They have high unemployment, less education and depend more on
government support.
While Nordic socialism is the rage among Democrats,
liberal professors, and journalists, it is losing its appeal in Nordic
countries. As these socialists look at other free market capitalist nations,
their systems of education, health care, support systems and low taxes, they
are moving away from socialism. Only Sweden is run by social democrats; but
they enjoy the least support in history. The other four Nordic countries have
moved to the center-right with more conservative governments.
In Matthew 7:15-20, we learned “Beware of false
prophets.” The left is promising free everything like the Nordic countries. Yet
they are speaking with a forked tongue! They are not just telling half-truths,
but lies. Milton Freeman said, “There is no such thing as a free ride.” Nordic
countries don’t get a free ride, so why does the left think we are stupid
enough to think we can get one? They are stupid thinking we are willing to pay
triple taxes for inferior socialized everything, they claim is free?
Lenin said socialism will consume America by invading one
political party. U.S. socialists rely on violent street protesters and identity
groups who threaten genocide if we don’t support socialism.
America is electing socialists out of fear this will stop
the violence. But socialists rely on identity groups to get elected and rely on
them to stay in power by controlling the masses. Without fear, servitude, and
oppression, socialism will fail. The only way to destroy the evils of socialism
is to eliminate what it feeds upon.
“The masses never revolt of their own accord, and they
never revolt merely because they are oppressed. Indeed, so long as they are not
permitted to have standards of comparison, they never even become aware that
they are oppressed.”
– George Orwell
Contributing Columnist William Haupt III is a retired
professional journalist, author, and citizen legislator in California for over
40 years. He got his start working to approve California Proposition 13.
