Election season is upon us and I have recently been thinking about...Socialism. Don't cry, Dad! Hear me out! The concept just seems to have been cropping up all around me. From this tag on a K-rail in my neighborhood:
To this flyer in my apartment lobby:
First, a tiny note on Communism vs. Socialism. I found this quote helpful to illustrate one of the 2 ideas' practical differences:
"Socialism preaches: 'From each according to his ability, to each according to his deeds.' Communism preaches: 'From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.'"
As I understand it, Socialism is more the
economic system focusing on the re-distribution of wealth to ensure everyone equally benefits from the industry of all; whereas Communism is the
whole political system dedicated to implementing socialist policies in more sectors than just the economy. Regardless, one is the outgrowth of the other and, even though its wrong, most people seem to use the terms interchangeably.
Frankly, I'm not sure the
Philly Socialists know what either mean. They got it right in their amateur video that the idea is to make sure the needs of the poor and working-class majority has their basic needs, but I feel like their programming could be accomplished easier and more effectively through a basic 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The tax code permits organizations dedicated to serving charitable purpose to engage in their operations virtually tax-free and to allow donors to write off their donations. This seems to be all they need considering the Philly Socialists only advertise that they engage in giving food to the poor and teaching English to immigrants without "asking you to sign petitions or contact your local congressman." Doesn't that just sound like a regular old charity to you? So why the
Socialist title? My guess is because its run by hipsters who want to sound edgy. Come on, with a motto like "to struggle, to win" it seems to me like they are just out there to protest for the sake of protesting, and not for the sake of any true political feelings. After all, it's just fun to be angry and make the News and hey, maybe feed a few homeless people and sound cool at parties. (Too harsh??)
Another, perhaps wiser, action would be for these hipsters to organize as a 501(c)
(4) because then they could at least engage in lobbying while still enjoying most of the tax benefits of a (c)(3). If they really want some sort of political message out there in order to further their cause, then I think they should consider organizing more than just the occasional free lunch line, because that is not going to support their economic/political cause any more than free samples of cheese dip at Wegman's solves the economic crisis. But maybe that's just my realism showing; sorry.
Regardless, I looked them up on my secret nonprofit database (its not that secret, its just
guidestar.org and its how I found out how much I could make if I became the Chief Defender at my current workplace, muahaha) and they were not listed, which leads me to believe that they are not organized as a nonprofit organization at all. {Although they do have a ".org" web address, so they must be heading in the right direction...they just have a
serious transparency problem, which is death in the nonprofit sector. But I digress...} So what are they? Dare I say a dirty, rotten, entitled, money-grubbing, soul-stealing CORPORATION?!? Nah. Its probably just some bored rich kids who get together trying to save the world and stick it to the 2-party system.
That I can respect- sticking it to the 2-party system. (I could right a novel on that, so I'll spare you.) Also I do think its interesting that socialism is coming back into vogue. In an era where we are embracing more and more formerly ostracized groups, it is only logical to think that outsider political groups should also be gaining some serious ground in a time where minority groups (whether you're talking about race, sexual orientation, religion or the lack thereof, income levels, national origin, etc.) seem to be achieving new-found respect.
As our friendly neighborhood street artist put it (see above), socialism is not so bad. At least my generation thinks so. We are alien to the now ridiculed "House Un-American Activities Committee" which surfaced in 1947. McCarthyism is, thankfully, a distant memory. Communists were once hunted like terrorists are now, but we don't like to think of our own government sniffing out and blacklisting our fellow Americans because of their political views. Because what is truly more "Un-American" than stomping on someone's freedom of belief, speech, and expression? In my opinion, not much. And that, in hindsight, is what was truly scary about The Red Scare.
Funny enough (and its sad that I just know this off the top of my head...) but --to this day-- in Pennsylvania, one of the very narrow categories of
Slander Per Se, where a Plaintiff accusing someone of slandering them does NOT have to prove the regular slander element of malice (ie, they don't have to prove in court that the slanderer said whatever they said with a bad motive, they just have to prove that the slanderer said it), is if one is accused of being a member of the Communist Party.
In other words, its FAR easier to win a slander suit if someone accuses you of being a Communist than if they accuse you of just about anything else. Ha! Go figure! And what if being accused of being a member of the Republican Party constituted
Slander Per Se?! Me thinks there would be A LOT of settlement dollars floating around.
So in this time of embracing the minority, it seems like even
Pew Polls are picking up a growing trend of warm fuzzies towards Socialism, at least from registered Democrats, who are viewing the term "socialism" as more positive than before, and now viewing it nearly as positively as they view the term "capitalism."
So when Republican grandmothers across the nation are shouting at Fox News that, "Obama is a Socialist!" maybe they're not so delusional after all, since it appears that Socialism IS a growing trend among liberally-minded individuals. But even if you sign onto the extremist view that President Obama is attempting to introduce socialism into our country, do you really have much to worry about? In my opinion, no, I cannot foresee a Red Revolution on the horizon. And I think healthcare reform is a
good thing.
But with many of my peers who have great educations under their belts, great educational debt weighing on their backs, and NO JOBS in a tanked economical climate that is barely budging...its no wonder why people are looking towards greater government involvement in the economic and jobs market in a way that they perceive to be more fair. Honestly, ANYTHING would seem more fair than being $500,000 in debt for student loans and having to watch Oprah marathons all day because no one will hire you, despite your brilliance.
In other words, I think the Socialist hype is a sign of economic unrest by those who suddenly find that, despite their best efforts to be top dog, they are now mere proletarians. And even a lowly prole wants a piece of the pie. So in our new low class state of being, we find the need to fight against the 1% (who we secretly wish we were) and fight for power to the lower classes (which we now are a part of).
So best of luck, Philly Socialists. You go and stick it to the man while trying your best to benefit a few need people in our community- heaven knows the help is needed. Just next time, get a tax attorney and business planner to do some
pro bono work on your behalf and maybe consider not having everyone on your video read so obviously from a poster behind the camera. Also try writing a mission statement and/or motto that will actually operate to further the cause that you are apparently so adamant about...or at least have a meeting to get together
what your cause is- I recommend inviting Wikipedia to that meeting. Also, remember that your parents are probably 1%ers, so try not to be too mad at them.
(Also published on
Scatter Sunshine)
