Where American Socialism and Capitalism Blend Together Perfectly
How many times have we heard the dire warnings about socialism and what would happen if those socialists ever took control of this country and its government? Well, I have news for all of those who may be living in fear and paranoia of that possibility; socialism is alive and well in America and has been for some time.
How can that be? Well, for now, let's not even talk about Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps and other social programs administered by the U.S. government. Instead, in this article we'll concentrate on two of the most powerful entities within this government, the consortium made up of the U.S. military and the defense industry corporations who work together splendidly.
First we have the capitalist sector of America, the massive defense industry corporations who make the weapons of war that enrich their bottom lines. Then we have the U.S. military which takes this weaponry and uses it in the pursuit of its agenda of endless war. Together they form that large and successful consortium that is continuously funded by American taxpayers and administered by the U.S. government.
Yes, we constantly hear many Americans condemning socialism and how terrible a system it is and yet the gigantic U.S. military organization that stretches across this entire planet is a living example of socialism in America. And there is no question but that the vast majority of the American people are solidly behind it.
A typical definition of socialism is, "an economic concept that advocates public/government ownership and management of all resources. Well, that's it; that's exactly what the U.S. military is and here is why:
Those who serve in the military have government-guaranteed jobs as long as they don't violate certain rules and regulations. There are no unemployment rolls, those who follow reasonable rules and stay out of trouble will not lose their jobs; and their jobs cannot be outsourced.
The U.S. military is fully funded by American taxpayers and administered by the government.
Its members and families are provided with free base housing and those living off base are given allowances to help cover their housing costs. They receive free health care, including eye care and dental benefits.
Most members are provided with an education by attending various military schools where they receive sophisticated electronic training and acquire other high level skills that they can use when and if they decide to go back to civilian life.
All members can receive a pension if they remain in the military for the time required.
Members can take part in the Food Stamp program and they can use the money in base commissaries where prices are considerably lower than those in civilian stores. Those who qualify can receive up to $500 per month under the FSSA, the Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance Program. In recent years military members have received over $100 million annually from that program and that cost continues to increase.
Now let's shift our attention to the capitalism element of this close, tight knit relationship. Actually this specific sector of American capitalism, the defense industry, has a socialist element built into it because these corporations depend greatly upon a steady stream of military contracts from the government. We might accurately describe it as a quasi-capitalist/socialist industry; these corporations are, in effect, receiving a form of government welfare. In fact if it were not for the government most of them would not exist or would be in a different business.
While capitalism and socialism, in theory, are like the difference between night and day this military/corporate alliance dispels that concept in that these two entities totally complement each other; they pursue intertwined objectives and work in unison to maintain the vast U.S. military empire.
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