Socialism: What It Is, and Why We Don’t Need It.

This post was actually a paper I wrote for one of my classes at Rhode Island College.  Considering the general path our nation is heading down, and seeing such a strong Socialist movement on my campus, I felt the need to at least voice my concerns about the reality of socialism.  What I find surprising is the sudden open movement in support of it.  There are socialists who gather on the campus square on Wednesdays who protest our capitalist system by holding signs and running a book table which even lists the Manifesto.   Let alone this movement, it is literally a very liberal college with its share of radical thoughts.  In fact, one of my teachers was herself a proclaimed socialist.  God help our country.  They’re infiltrating the youth.

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Socialism, the very idea has been around for nearly 200 years.  Developing from the simple ideas put forth by Karl Marx in his “Communist Manifesto,” to a series of movements by people influenced by Marx’s ideas, claiming that the class division between the rich and the poor has been wrought by the corruption of the capitalists and the exploitation of the worker to the capitalist’s gain.

Socialism is defined as “a society based on workers collectively owning and controlling the wealth that their labor creates.” The idea of which sounds like a plausible approach to the difficulties that our capitalist system has today. Corruption, vice, and greed afflict our economic system, bringing the Socialist argument that in order to end these vices, it would be necessary to eliminate the “capitalists” and create a common ground of equality for workers.

The major motivation that comes as an initiative for this movement lies in the current recession our economy is facing; alongside the ever decreasing wealth and ability of the lower masses (the workers) to provide for themselves. Socialist ideologies, namely government intervention and redistribution of aid to those in need, have been in place since Franklin’s “New Deal” during the 1930’s.  However, the situation we are presented with now focuses on the movement by Socialists to solve all our problems by a collective government which redistributes the fruits of the laborers’ work equally among the workers. This idea seeks to fix the situation by eliminating the upper class and balancing the wealth of the lower class.

The dangers this situation presents are innumerable, and often makes one question the ability of the success of a socialist movement. On one side of the case, Socialists argue that inherently all major business owners are corrupt due to their exploitation of the worker in the quest for ever more profit. Taking this thought into consideration, I think many of us will acknowledge the corrupt tendencies of the human individual. After all, the human person is nothing more than what he is, human; capable of falling and being motivated by selfish gains.

We live in America, the land of opportunity, where by the words of our “Declaration of Independence,” we argue against tyranny, boldly stating that man is endowed with the undeniable rights of “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” A further examination of historic documentation shows us another of the principles of American freedom and independence, particularly in reference to the ideas of private property.

Socialism brings into question all of the ideals which make up the American Dream. That is, the essential freedom which immigrants from far and near come to American in search of, opportunity. America holds that the human individual has the right to expand in business, working through his own efforts to accumulate the means with which he can attain his dream. The gaining of profit through business and work, in order that he may use such funds as he deems necessary: To support his family, to invest in business expansion, or even to gain enough of a living to live his life comfortably.

Of course, we all must be wary of the dangers which accompany such a means of gain; particularly that of corruption, thievery, and usury. All of which gain profits through illegitimate means. The American Dream is this: You gain what you desire if you work hard enough. This often is the principle of the American’s life, whether or not it is the most sound principle is what socialism questions. But how can socialism work for our country if it denies the three basic rights which we are all endowed with?

1. Life:

The right to life is considered a right of the American individual. To live his life in complete freedom and security. Free from the shackles of oppression, slavery, and labor. Safe from the dangers of war, crime, and intolerance. All according to

Call To Arms

The question we all must answer, when we come down to the what matters most, is “Will you be a man?”

The modern world has presented with itself, a degeneration of the knightly and chivalrous qualities of the past world. From the gallantry and virtue of the Middle Ages, to the manners and conduct of the gentleman in years to come.  We as a society have lost the very Christianizing essence of what makes us men.  It’s not physical strength, political power, or social influence that defines us as who we are, but rather, in the words of Christopher Nolan’s adaption of Batman Begins,

“It’s not who I am underneath; but what I do, that defines me.”

Virtue has been cast aside in favor of ‘good will.’  A society where people have adopted the relativistic theory of “I’m ok, you’re ok;’” or even more so, “All men are coherently good.”  The latter statement may be debated, as we all are made in the image and likeness of God, and that we all have the Natural Law inscribed upon our hearts, but we also must take into effect the great inhibiter in this field, Original Sin.  As I just mentioned, this is another separate topic, and maybe I’ll come back to it in another post.

We now live in a world, where intention is often praised, and action very much frowned upon.  Literally, it is very difficult for good men, namely Christians, to put their intentions and Faith into action.  Why?  It all comes down to a matter of social deconstruction.  Fear of opposition.  Shame at doing the right thing.  Or even the outright fear of persecution.

Homosexuality, Abortion, Contraception; all of these are important aspects on the moral scene which are waging war against the sanctified entity of the Human Family.  Men, the natural guardians and defenders of this ‘realm’, due to their status as father and husband, are the rightful head (like that of the King), whose sworn duty and obligation is to protect those under their dominion.

It is a war for souls, and often enough, we find that men lack the coherent substance, or ‘guts’ to be real men.

When will we get our act together?  How can we claim to stand on one side of the cultural battlefield, when in reality we are haphazard and often uncertain of our very own commitment to fighting the enemy?  How many of us willingly compromise with ‘the enemy’, in regards to our beliefs and stance, when we should be doing the right thing?

It all reminds of one important message from Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. When faced with the Scottish Nobles, who in quarreling amongst themselves for power, influence, and the right to the throne, leave Scotland open to English attack, William Wallace makes a bold statement,

“Now is our chance. Now. If we join, we can win. If we win, well then we’ll have what none of us has ever had before: a country of our own.”

Unity.  Do we as Catholics have it?  We speak of

We Are ODST

I’m still waiting for Peter Jackson and Niell Blomkamp to get their act together and do a Halo film.  Of course Jackson is producing the Hobbit alongside Del Toro, but Halo still has my hyped.

‘The Crusader’s Tale’ – In Production

Friday has finally come and gone. It might not sound like much, but with college classes and homework occupying the week, I look forward to the weekend with a warm welcome. Considering the week finished, I also have a bit of good news to share with you all! It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that I proudly announce that the

script I wrote several years go entitled “The Crusader’s Tale” is being put into production as a homemade film, out west in Michigan.

The director is the brother of two of the girls on the Fairy Tale Forum (Lizzie and Lady Victoria,) he’s read my blog and the script under the writings section, and while in Virginia for the Get-Together, I was able to talk to him for a few moments on the phone.  He mentioned how he was currently working on a script for an adaption of the “Fellowship of the Ring,” and discussed some of his ideas for film-making, and his preparation in regards to props and costumes.  Trust me.  Very well organized and orchestrated.  I’m curious to see that particular production when it was finished.

The story follows the path of Macar de Tier, a man returning home from his adventures in the world in search of his family. He finds his home in ruins, and his family buried. Desiring to find out what happened to them, he visits an old family friend, a priest. From there he finds the true story of who he is, and takes a step through the door leading to his destiny

The actual script is under the Writings page on this blog. I have it linked here. We’ve discussed the idea of film-making back and forth in several emails, before he approached me about the idea of of putting The Crusader’s Tale into production himself. I agreed. As I myself am, and have been, unable to to film an adaption of the production, due to time constraints, props, location, and ability, I still think it will be a great adaption! We’ve been collaborating back and forth so Daniel has a mixture of my ideas, history, story, and some of his own ideas for the plot. (As is the case with each film maker.) Check back here for updates every so often! As I plan on posting some production shots and information as it becomes available. I am also working on a second poster/wallpaper other than the one above. (I complied that one last night.) So as the production goes along, I believe you will have more detailed and accurate posters.

Accentuated Lord of the Rings

Have you ever wondered what The Lord of the Rings would be like, if the race of men were all hillbillies?  If the Elves were thick accentended French, the Orcs German, Gimli Russian, Eowyn a rockstar, Pippen a terrible singer, and Sauron having a severe case of bronchitus?  Now you can find out for yourself!

Socialism: What It Is, and Why We Need It.

I have recently started my Freshman Year here at Rhode Island College, looking forward to majoring in Secondary Education, History. But while strolling along the campus grounds, and awaiting the teacher for my Political Science Class on American Government, I find certain posters of particular interested posted on campus, on bulletin boards, and just about anywhere that the student populace traverses.

The very fact that these posters are up around campus makes me wonder what on earth is happening on the American Frontier. With the Election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, we have seen certain measures being pushed, such as his never ending source of the Stimulus Package, and his personal agenda of Obamacare. These things in themselves are steps towards a Socialist Country. The stimulus package simply buys out many of the businesses, thus moving us towards a government run economy; while the socialized healthcare gives the State the right to dictate who gets coverage, when, where, and how; and even gives it the right to deny said coverage when it deems the situation called for.

I have to admit, I am enjoying my political science class; my teacher is discussing the idea of the Constitution, from the classical ‘Pro-American’ Patriotic viewpoint, but on the other end of the classroom, seeming to stare straight at me is a poster with the large bold words, “Marx is Back!”

The question I have to ask, being a student on campus, in a State Institution, why are we allowing Socialist Ideals, Morals, and theories to be proclaimed and promoted here in our country; when, of all things, Marx’s theories on Social Revolution are exactly the polar opposite of what we as Americans hold as our “American Dream.”

To anyone who has the courage to pull out an encyclopedia, or do the research themselves, scroll back 40 years to the Cold War. The United States was pitted against a foreign adversary, the Soviet Union, whose ideas were openly contrary to the rights we argue that each human individual has: “The Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Frighteningly enough, we are allowing these ‘undeniable’ individual rights to be slowly trampled upon, and possibly even wiped away from the American scene; especially when we fail to face the utter reality of the threat that Socialism truly is. The enemy of the very nature of freedom which we idealistically praise.

Politically Incorrect

Hmm just a few words before I head to class.  Has anyone else, aside from my self, noted how the modern world tends to frown upon being Politically Incorrect in our Politically Correct society; while praising with lavish decor, the Political Incorrectness of the past Catholic Culture? (Luther, Calvin, Marx, and Freemasonry.)

Ridiculous, eh?

FTN Get-Together in Review

My weekend trip to the 2nd (Annual?) Fairy Tale Novel Get-Together has come to an end.  And I look back at the experience with many a fond memory, of which I hope this post can give you an insightful comprehension.

Before I start my little post on all of this, I would like to thank both Regina and her Husband for their hospitality in putting me up in their home for 5 days, and especially to Bowman for picking me up and returning me to the Airport.

I arrived on Wednesday evening, with a rather delayed flight (about 2 hours), and met both Elenatintil and Bowman at the airport, where we awaited both Grace (Cfa83) and her mother from their delayed flight.

Arriving at The Black Cat Inn (The Doman Residence) in the wee morning hours, we were welcomed by the family and were able to enjoy a several hour discussion with Regina on the premise of writing a story.  Which, of course, we kept going by constantly boiling some tea.  We finally headed to bed at the unearthly hour of 4 in the ‘morn, awaking to a new day…

Inglourious Basterds

Quentin Tarentino’s new film brings to my mind something worth a little discussion.  Shedding light on the backdrop of the story, his new movie, Inglourious Basterds, is about a Special Forces squad of Jewish-Americans which lands in Nazi Occupied France on the mission of bloodthirsty murder and vengeance.

Venturing from the path of the traditional war film, Inglourious Basterds glorifies the use of inhuman bodily mutilation of Nazi prisoners, and exonerates the idea of using terror tactic warfare.  To pay the Nazi’s back for what they deal out.

A glance at the “ParentalGuide” for the film on the Internet Movie DataBase will lend you a glance at some disturbing descriptions of the films detailed and explicit violence and gore.

• • The Bastards are seen cutting off the scalps of several dead nazi’s in 2 or 3 lingering shots, with bloody skull bone clearly visible.
  • When a Nazi refuses to give Aldo valuable information, He orders Donny(a.k.a. “The Bear Jew) to kill the Nazi with his baseball bat. The first 2 or 3 hits are shown in close-up with blood forming all over the man’s face, then it zooms into an overhead shot where the Nazi’s head is bashed into a bloody pulp.
  • After Landa’s scheme for immunity(letting the basterds live and the destruction of the Nazi command go as planned if they say that he teamed up with them all along) goes through, and the handcuffs on Aldo and Utivich are taken off, Aldo shoots the radio operator once (since the immunity deal did not include him) and then orders Utivich to cut off the already dead man’s scalp (bloody skull bone is clearly visible). Aldo then takes out his knife, tells Landa that he’s going to give him something he can’t take off, and then begins carving a swastika into the man’s forehead. Several lingering shots then show the skin separating as blood flows and Landa screams in agonizing amounts of pain.

The use of gore and violence has its play in Hollywood films.  Braveheart made use of it in it’s Medieval Warfare, the Patriot followed up with scenes of the wounded and battle related action; Inglourious Basterds ventures from the legitimized use of such things and simply markets them as entertainment.  War is not meant to be entertaining.  The violence in many war films reflects the utter and gritty reality that war is evil.  It is the destruction of life.  And here we find Mr. Tarentino raking in dough through the “Killing Nazi Business.”  Which is essentially the point of the film.  To kill as many Nazi’s and give them payback for their ‘treatment’ of the Jews.  (Watch the Trailer Below.)

Considering the characters make up a majorly Jewish Squad, we find the philosophy of the film Jewish as well.

“An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.”

If war is to be fought in such a manner, might I argue that the entire philosophy that war is evil, and is fought only for legitimate reasons, is tossed out the window, thus bringing upon us the reign of the ungodly and atheistic 20th Century, where the dignity of the human individual and life is trampled upon like the dust of the earth.