Socialism

The corner of Stevens Creek and Winchester is one of the busiest intersections in San Jose, CA. The crossroads is the site of two of San Jose's major shopping areas, Westfield Valley Fair and Santana Row.


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Every weekend protesters come to the intersection carrying banners, advocating for peace, for a certain political candidate or whatever other cause. I have seen protests for and against gay marriage, for and against George Bush's administration and for and against Barack Obama.

On my drive home from work last week I saw one of the largest groups of protesters I have seen on the intersection, especially on a weekday. Most of the people were protesting for health care reform, but a few were against.

One sign had a faded image of Barack Obama with sickly reddish lips. Under the scary image was printed the word: Socialist.

Socialism in the U.S. is a bad word, even for those left of center. To some, folks more on the right, "socialism" is almost as evil as Osama bin Laden. Does that go back to fear of communism and the propaganda of McCarthy? It might.

Being from Western Europe this is all foreign to me. All of Western Europe is filled with Social Democrats and people are perfectly happy there, happier than most are here, if you follow polls and surveys like those done by the UN.

Socialism comes in many forms and isn't evil or by default anti anything that has to do with capitalism. There's a happy median that can and should be found. No country should leave its people perish without health care, especially the world's richest nation. The U.S. is still growing up and coming of age. Taking care of the people in the country should be part of that, instead of the old Wild West principal of every man for himself.

I pay taxes in the US. I am happy to pay taxes--and even to pay more in taxes--as long as the money goes to support things I can stand for. That would include health care for everyone and a good educational system as well as safe airports, public transit and good roads. It would exclude certain military operations or funding continued efforts by the US to remain the world's cop.

Adding a few socialist principles to the U.S. system won't upset the American Way or American Dream. It is an evolution, not a revolution. Try it, you might like it.