WHAT KIND OF GOVERNMENT DO WE WANT, ANYWAY?

Every fifth grade Civics student knows there is a distinct difference between Theocratic, Socialistic, Communistic and Democratic systems of government.
Increasingly, our elected and appointed representatives lean toward those whose goal it is to integrate socialistic or communistic ideologies into the framework of our Democratic governmental system. Yet to do so is to undermine the very premise of a democracy; that it is the people who comprise the government, and by the people's combined selection of interested representatives, have a voice in the matters of the nation.

Socialism removes the relationship between the nation’s people and the government, placing governmental executive responsibility into the hands of a few. These are chosen for selection, and stood before the people for election, to oversee the complexities of governmental affairs “for the benefit of the nation”. Democratic adaptations of Socialism develops a shadow of a looming “Big Government” system which is slow, lumbering,, full of expensive social programs, requiring equally large tax increases to fund them.

Under Socialism, the people have a voice through civil unruliness, if issues arise which demand social change. Comparatively, Communism pulls back farther from incorporating the people’s influence upon governmental affairs, issuing edicts for social obedience, and orchestrating the people to accomplish the government’s desires. Neither system provides an acceptable alternative for an American weaned on the ability to work for change, and having opportunity through citizen freedoms to be capable of enacting that change.
Though democracy has its foibles, it’s rewards run deep in a history of sweeping social influence upon socialistic and communistic neighbors. It is not the strength of the government, the military, or the finances of industry which have conceived this kind of influence upon the world. It is the sheer delight of individuals living life as a free people, and recognizing the special effect such freedom can impart upon the world.

-e.