Stalinoids

Conversations with Trentino ^ | Sept. 4, 2002 | Trentino

[Davis]

In the long ago days when, as John Powers noted, the Left was joyous, Lefties were able to ascribe the lack of productivity even then an observable characteristic of socialism to its superior morality. Socialism depends, they said, on people being willing to cooperate, to work for the good of others. By contrast, capitalism's motivator is human greed.

Of course, one man's greed is another man's self-interest--they've loaded the argument. And, as Paul Newman, one of The Nation's stockholders, can attest...more

[Commander8]

You're right one man's greed is another's self interest. Just ask Ben and Jerry.

[marron]

Of course, one man's greed is another man's self-interest

This belief that capitalism rests upon greed as its foundation is a calumny. And a juvenile one at that.

People are born with the drive to build, and to create. This, combined with self-interest, is the basis of economics.

The drive to work, to build, to create, and to prosper is innate. Only the infantile equate that with greed.

But the infantile do call that "greed". And try to stifle it, and control it. They inevitably will destroy an economy, because producing nothing themselves, creating nothing, inventing nothing, they do not understand the kind of people who do. And they fear and resent them.

[colorado tanker]

I agree. Capitalism reflects the moral principle that every human being owns himself and the fruits of his labor. Socialism is a form of slavery that denies this basic human right.

[Davis]

As late as last week, Amblin' Jack Shafer wrote about the "Stalinist impulse to prescribe proper attitudes toward culture, art, and journalism." Stalinist, you hear? The old shortstop has been dead forty-nine years, but his impulses linger on. Does that disappoint the faithful who went Left to escape conformity?

Note how this writer points out that modern socialists blame their failures on Stalin, not on the program itself. Neat trick, eh?

[marron]

For a real head-spinner, I used to know some Russian refugees, who thought Stalin was a great man. Really stood up and showed the world what Russia was all about, he did...

Refugees, mind you.

People are the funniest thing ever invented.

[Davis]

Right, and there are still Americans who think socialists, Bill and Hillary Clinton are the best thing since sliced bread...