Posted on 04/13/2002 2:10:47 PM PDT by rapsux
Socialism USA Author: Gus Hall (1910-2000), former National Chair First published: Jan 1, 1996 by the Communist Party, USA
We Communists believe that socialism is the very best replacement for a capitalist system that has served its purpose, but no longer meets the needs and requirements of the great majority of our people.
We believe that socialism USA will be built according to the traditions, history, culture and conditions of the United States. Thus, it will be different from any other socialist society in the world. It will be uniquely American.
What will be the goals of our socialist society?
A life free of exploitation, insecurity, poverty; an end to unemployment, hunger and homelessness. An end to racism, national oppression, anti-Semitism, all forms of discrimination, prejudice and bigotry. An end to the unequal status of women. Renewal and extension of democracy; an end to the rule of corporate America and private ownership of the wealth of our nation. Creation of a truly humane and rationally planned society that will stimulate the fullest flowering of the human personality, creativity and talent.
The advocates and ideologues of capitalism hold that such goals are utopian; that human beings are inherently selfish and evil. Others argue that these goals can be fully realized under capitalism. We are confident, however, that such goals can be realized, but only through a socialist society.
Why Socialism?
Since its inception capitalism has been fatally flawed. Its inherent laws - to maximize profit on the backs of the working class - give rise to the class struggle.
History is a continuous story of people rising up against those who exploit and oppress them, to demand what's theirs. Our own country's historic beginning was revolutionary. The ideals of justice and equality have inspired peoples for centuries.
Up until the time of Karl Marx, those that advocated socialism were "utopians", that is, motivated by ideals only. It was Marx and his longtime friend and collaborator, Frederick Engels, who uncovered the inner laws of capitalism, where profit comes from and how societies develop. They transformed wishful thinking for socialism into socialism with a scientific, materialist basis.
Communists say that capitalism won't be around forever. Just like previous societies weren't around forever either. Slavery gave rise to feudalism and feudalism to capitalism. So, too, capitalism gives rise to socialism.
The Foundations of Socialism
Political power would be in the hands of working people. Socialism starts with nationalization of the main means of production - the plants, factories, agri-business farms and everything necessary to produce what society needs. The large monopoly corporations and banks come under public ownership, that is, under the collective ownership of the entire working class and people, who have the leading role in building socialism.
Socialism also means public ownership of the energy industry and all the natural resources. It eliminates forever the power of the capitalist class to exploit and oppress the majority.
A socialist government draws up plans covering the entire economy. They are drawn up with maximum participation of the people, from the shop level on up. Such plans are achieved because they harmonize the interests of all, because there are no conflicts arising from exploitation of workers and no dog-eat-dog competition.
Production increases much faster than under capitalism, with a planned economy, advancement of science and technology, and the protection and preservation of our environment and natural resources.
A socialist government is based on all-around democracy, starting with economic democracy. The more people participate in running their own economy, the more firmly people's power is established, the more successful a socialist America will be.
Trade unions in a socialist USA will insure a fair balance between what workers produce and what they receive. They will have decisive power to enforce safety and health provisions, prevent speedup, and guarantee good transportation, working conditions and plant facilities.
Public services - schools, hospitals, utilities, transit, parks, roads - are crumbling under capitalism. And now corporations are "privatizing" government-run, publicly-owned institutions for private profit. Under socialism public services and housing will be vastly improved and expanded. They will be broadened in their scope beyond anything dreamed of under capitalism.
The U.S. will become a vast construction site. Homes, schools, hospitals, places of recreation will be built to end shortages, replace substandard infrastructures and public facilities.
Jobs and Education for All
Full employment will be quickly achieved as production is expanded to satisfy the needs of people. Automation at the service of the working people will lead to both reduced hours of work and higher living standards, with no layoffs. There will be no danger of over-production since production will be planned and people's incomes will increase in line with the rising output of consumer goods and services.
Poverty will be ended quickly with the recovery of the vast resources now wasted in war production, corporate profits and the extravagent lifestyles of the filthy rich.
All education will be tuition-free. Every person will have access to unlimited medical and health care without charge. These rights will be realized as rapidly as facilities can be built and the personnel trained.
With capitalism gone, crime will also begin to disappear, for it is the vicious profit system that corrupts people and breeds crime.
To Each According to Their Work
Some ask whether guaranteeing basic necessities, free education, low-cost housing and health care will encourage people to avoid working, or doing their best. The principle of socialism is: >From each according to his/her ability, to each according to his/her work.
Socialism provides incentives for working better, producing more and higher quality goods, acquiring advanced skills. It does NOT equalize wages. Wages vary according to occupation and efficiency, although everyone is guaranteed a liveable wage.
Under capitalism, improvements in skill, organization and technology are rightly feared by the worker, since they threaten jobs. Under socialism, they offer the chance to make the job more interesting and rewarding, as well as to improve living standards.
Socialism provides moral incentives because the fruits of labor benefit all. No person robs others of the profits from their labor; when social goals are adopted by the majority, people will want to work for these goals. Work will seem less a burden, more and more a creative activity, where everyone is his/her neighbor's helper instead of rival.
It is true socialism will nationalize or socialize all large-scale production, property and real estate. But socialism does not abolish ALL privately-owned business. It does not require nationalization of those small businesses owned by people who work for themselves and do not hire others to make a profit. Personal property - private homes, automobiles, etc., - will remain just that, personal property.
In highly mechanized U.S. agriculture there will still be a place for the family farmer. But the farm family will be relieved of the pressure of agribusiness monopolies.
There will be rapid abolition of racism and national oppression. Socialism will bring complete equality for all racially and nationally oppressed. There will be no compromise with racism, for there will no longer exist a capitalist class which profits from it. Racism, national oppression, anti-Semitism, sexism, anti-immigrant discrimination and all forms of prejudice and bigotry will be banned by law, with strict measures of enforcement. Affirmative action will be expanded immediately to undo and make up for hundreds of years of the ravages of racism. Full equality will be one of the main priorities of the new society.War propaganda will be outlawed.
The only privileged sectors will be the children and seniors, who have earned the right to a healthy, happy, secure retirement. The children will reap all the benefits of socialist child care, free nurseries and schools with the very best facilities and teachers. Children will have wonderful recreational and sports facilities. They will have the option to choose whatever career they wish, and the free education and training to achieve it.
Socialism provides the economic foundation for effective democracy for the masses of people. To carry through the socialist economic and social transformation requires political rule by the working class - a government of, by and for the working people.
Socialism USA
Socialism USA will benefit from the experiences, the mistakes and succesess of the countries who built and are building socialism. But mainly it will reflect the distinctive features of U.S. development and environment. Unique historical advantages, like the unequalled natural resources, fertile soil and perfect weather, coupled with the contributions of generations of working people, enabled U.S. capitalism to achieve higher productive levels and living standards than capitalism in other countries. So, too, the development of socialism here will have some distinct advantages.
We have a highly developed industrial society with a highly trained and educated work force. Free from foreign intervention, socialism will not have to divert human and economic resources to defend itself. Socialism USA will avoid the terrible problems of extreme poverty, illiteracy, civil wars, wars of intervention and world wars. Socialism USA will extend democracy to its fullest, taking as its starting point the democratic traditions and institutions of the American people. Path to Socialism
We say that it may be possible in the U.S. to bring socialism through peaceful means. Perhaps through the ballot box. One thing is clear, there won't be socialism in the U.S. until the majority of the American people want it.
I like to say that when workers enter the corporate board rooms to take over and the ruling class says: O.K. you're right, we made a mess of things and now you should run it all. Well then there won't be any trouble. But if the ruling class says: Forget it! And call out the army and the police and the national guard, then that is how revolutions become violent. It starts with the ruling class. Workers and their allies have to defend themselves and to fight for what is rightfully theirs.
We believe and advocate that a socialist society in our country will guarantee all the liberties defined in the Bill of Rights but never fully realized. These include the right of people to express themselves fully and freely through organizations of their choice and competing candidates who respect and are guided by the concept of building socialism.
Indeed, the freedoms in the Bill of Rights will take on far greater meaning for the great majority, who will now own the meeting halls, press, radio and TV, and will be able to exercise that freedom effectively.
That's why we call ours Bill of Rights Socialism, USA.
Socialism is our vision for America's future. It is a vision we are winning more and more people to because it is logical - really a great - replacement for capitalism. And because it is the next inevitable step up the ladder of human civilization.
What he said...
Machiavelli said that we are in a never ending struggle between the haves and the have nots. When the have nots overthrow the haves, they repeat the EXACT same formula and become as oppressive as the former rulers.
Our founding Fathers had a brilliant plan that made every person a free citizen, able to pursue whatever they fancied. The way our country evolved PROVES the superiority of thier philosophy. No longer would we be Serfs to a Royal Crown. Anything we made, we could keep. The whole foundation of the Revolutionary War was our ability to live as Free Men.
I find it amusing that modern Liberals squawk about "Social Evolution" when they talk about Socialism(Communism.). They want a nation full of peasants working for a ruling Oligarchy(The Communist Party members I presume.).
Is it just me or do these "Idealists" wish to return to a government where we are ruled by a central authority that dictates how we live? Since we are so modern the central authority would not be called royalty, but isn't the end result the same?
They want a nation of serfs serving under an unelected group to dictate how they live. What makes people embrace this insane ideaology?
We have thrown off opression of "royal" fools and declared every persons rights sovereign, yet they want to return us to the stagnation of petty despots. They claim to be liberal, that is false. Conservatism is 19th century Liberalism at its finest, these modern Liberals are nothing more then modern day slavers.
I for one will NEVER serve the state. IN the USA, the state is OUR servant and I will not be browbeaten by someone that is SUPPOSED to be my servant. In our FREE country, the state serves ME!
Most Americans think like we do and the Socialists never show thier true colors but I have to tell you(As has been said above by good people.) FREEDOM CAN NEVER DIE!
It is IMHO one of the greatest things that America has produced... a few City-States had it to limited success but WE are the ideal and I find it sickening that these morons are begging for a noose around thier necks. I would find it amusing but they want the noose around my neck as well.
NO! -Socialism is GREAT for the 50% of the people who are supported by the other 50%!!
They get uniforms, job security, great benefits, maternity leave, affirmative action, 'same-sex' domestic partner benefits, medical, dental, disability, blah, blah, blah . . .
Compare this to the schmuck in the 'private' (producing) sector . . .
Now you know "why's" or NAZI Germany -- the people who loved the NAZI socialist system had it GOOD !! Uniforms, great jobs, steady paychecks, social status . . . You might have fit in too !!
Why would a man help load people into boxcars . . .
Why would a scientist torture helpless prisoners . . .
Why would anyone rally around a madman . . .
Answer: "It's the economy, stupid..."
My town recieved 2 MILLION dollars to fix the roads. Guess what, they suck. They could give me 250000 to fix the roads and I could easily and make a profit.
Somehow I can't see the Greenies taking to this phrase too well! Obviously modern Democrats are not pure socialists; the environmental aspect of their retorict is rather out of joint with the whole working class dribble.
The journey to the planned utopia will begin with the words,"Get in the cars"!
If so, I do not mind defining my position although it should be pretty clear.
Remember that 54 members of Congress are card-carrying members of the Democratic Socialists of America. That's 10% of all of Congress, and 20% of all Democrats.
From American Heritage Dictionary: An economic system characterized by freedom of the market with private and corporate ownership of the means of production and distribution that are operated for profit.
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