Liberalism isn't socialism. Why do people think that they're the same? , page 2

Hmmm. Interesting comments. But I continue to see a consistent thread of ideology distortion from both sides of the aisle, mostly regarding the concept of equal rights. ‘Equal right’ is not a common concept in most of the worlds societies. Feudal society, tribal society, communal society etc. all have their hierarchal system of leadership. In those systems, you are where you are. Period.

When the United States was formed, the concept of ‘equal right’ became the basis of what our country became, and continues to be so today. But what is the concept of equal right? In simple terms, equal right means that all persons are born with, live with, and die with the same level of rights as everyone else. This means that a man living out of a stolen shopping cart in L.A. has the same rights as say, John Rockefeller.

This does not mean that he has the requirement to have the same level living as Rockefeller, but that he has the same right to achieve that level of living. He holds the same right to have an equal protection of his freedoms, an equal treatment under jurisprudence, and equal liberty.

As to the issue of wages and possession of property, these are not rights, but merely the rewards obtained through responsible living, working hard, wise investments and careful use of the assets one obtains as they journey through life. I have nothing because I was stupid and irresponsible, the Rockefeller’s have much because they used their assets wisely. How many times have you heard of big time lottery winners winding up bankrupt? It is the concept of equal right that allows us the freedom to be as smart, and rich, or as stupid and poor as we desire to be.

So how does this relate to the liberals are socialists question?

There are many differing views as to what exactly socialism is today, but an apt description would be to say that a socialist supports a society whereby all men are of an equal status concerning possessions and status of life, or what would be called an egalitarian society. Liberalism works, while not necessarily knowingly, to create that level of society. Liberalism removes the level of responsibility necessary that supports the concept of equal right. Liberalism allows for behaviors that are destructive to an organized, responsible society. The man who lives out of the shopping cart is given welfare, meals, entertainment and so forth by society while he takes no responsibility for his actions. And to give to this man, the wealth attained by Rockefeller is taken from him to support the liberal cause of providing the homeless man an equal status of Rockefeller.

All men are created with equal right, but only by assuming responsibility for our actions can we retain the other rights pertained to in the US Constitution. Possession’s are not rights. Status in society is not a right. The destruction of the core values that instill that level of responsibility that keeps us free is the end result of the common liberal ideology. We have two alternatives, no three alternatives to what some call a capitalist society. One is a communist society. A second alternative is a socialist society. The third alternative is a return to feudal or tribal society. So we have four choices. As a liberal, what is your choice. And remember, the clock is ticking.