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.

————————————————————————————————————————————————-

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 what he wishes to guide his life by, no matter which creed, race, or political affiliation he has. This right to life is undeniable, his life is his own, not his lord’s, not his superior’s, and not the state’s. The human individual has the undeniable right to exercise all of these freedoms in his life.

Socialism provides a contrary approach. Life isn’t about what ability you have, or by which path you approach your career, or how you provide for yourself and your family. Business, the very thing which socialism wishes to destroy, becomes your master. The individual must constantly work in order to support himself, but not by reaping the benefits of his work first hand; rather, what he reaps is then forcefully taken from him by a collective government or authority. This authority in turn, through the process of ‘eliminating’ capitalist trade and competition, ‘fairly’ redistributes the product of that individual’s work where it deems necessary. Wages, if there are any, are regulated equally as well. For example, a person who is a hard and ardent worker will be paid the same amount as someone who might have no interest or motivation in that particular job at all. This brings into question the fairness that socialism so proudly proclaims. Will those who commit themselves receive what is their due? Life consists of working towards a goal and reaping the benefits of a success. If a person is to work and not receive what his labor constitutes, how is he to live his life to its fullest if he is bound under the restrictions of socialist labor?

Another aspect of the life argument is the innumerable atrocities committed by Marx-influenced authorities. One might omit the facts, as it seems they so often do, but there is no way of avoiding the truth. One openly socialist government in the 20th Century has been met with some of the greatest criticism and horror: Nazi Germany. Nazism was in itself a product of National Socialism, literally translating into the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. The life of the human individual is threatened by this idealistically coined principle, “The common good before individual good.” A careful examination of the The Program of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party reveals a frightening eye opening understanding of political and economic ideas which the Nazi’s used, and what the modern socialists wish to incorporate in their new system. On many occasions, Socialists deny these facts by claiming that the forms of socialist ideals in Nazism, Communism, and various governments throughout the world are not true Socialism because those governments consist of profit gain. If I might be bold, might I ask why don’t socialists address the countless murders, persecutions, and oppressions of the human person, and the suppression of individual freedom in these governments? The evidence is clear enough, through an analysis of socialist principle and of history itself, that socialist authority exists at the expense of the human individual. One might even say that not all socialists are Nazis, but all Nazi’s were socialists. This brings up the next question of how Socialism deals with the second right of the human individual: Liberty.

2. Liberty:

What is liberty? Citing the Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of the English Language, we have two clear definitions:

• • The state of being exempt from the domination of others or from restricting circumstances (Funk & Wagnalls).
  • The power of voluntary choice; freedom from necessity (Funk & Wagnalls).

We as Americans cling dearly to our liberty, cherishing it with the patriotism and readiness to sacrifice our very lives in the protection of it. The Declaration of Independence in itself was a move to declare the importance of the liberty of the human individual from the tyrannical reign of an absolute governmental authority. In the case of Colonial America, this tyranny was the constitutional monarchy of England.

The principles of the United States hold that we as Americans have a liberty endowed upon us, that grants us the rights to free speech, freedom of religion, and the freedom to live life as we see fit according to our individual beliefs and morals. Freedom from being oppressed by a tyrannical authority. Many people come to America in search of this liberty, where in their homelands they are faced with religious and political persecutions. More often than not, these immigrants and refugees are fleeing the very governmental systems of socialist philosophy gone wrong.

Socialism argues that the liberty of the individual rests in the security of knowing that all men are equal in their economic welfare. There is no upper wealthy class which exploits the working masses, but rather a collective system under an absolute authority which regulates economy and work on all levels of the social structure. What liberty is to be found under such circumstances? Where the very core and natural right to pursue your individual dream is regulated and controlled by a tyrannical authority? “Tyrannical Authority?” You ask? Indeed there always is in regards to Socialism.

Socialists themselves state that there is no tyranny, but rather that the collective authoritative force is put in place by the people, for the people. Is that so? Any careful examination of every Marx influenced society will prove contrary. Even the socialists themselves state that a “temporary” tyrannical force is necessary in order to start a socialist system. In response to this statement, might I ask who, or rather, what, regulates that “temporary tyrannical authority?” American liberty is built upon a system of checks and balances. So as to speak, one aspect of government control cannot gain too much power and influence due to the contrary parts of government either above or on the same level. Socialism doesn’t  have that. The governmental authority of socialism is absolute. There is no liberty to live your life as you wish, or to pursue your dreams, or enjoy the natural happiness of comfort. Your very freedom becomes nothing more than the freedom to choose between working or starving. To quote Comrade Lenin, who himself was a practitioner of Marx’s socialist philosophy, “He who does not work, neither shall he eat.”

The idea of personal liberty is replaced with the shackles of starvation. Chaining the people to the necessities to always work in order to provide for society. The danger of all of this, is that Socialism boldly accuses capitalists of exploiting, overworking and underpaying the masses; and while doing so, turns its back and commits the very same crime it denounces. Exploiting the populace by turning society at its very core into a system of production, where the only good citizen is the productive worker. Like a farmer, who must work the ground to produce the goods with which to feed his family, the state will work the individual to meet the quota necessary for society.

The liberty of the human person is under attack through Socialism. Referring to the points I highlighted in the previous note, we see that aside from the constant attack on the right to life through socialist labor, and the atrocities committed in for the sake of the ‘common good,’ we can connect those individual systems with totalitarian states, such as Nazi Germany and the U.S.S.R. What these two states have in common is the suppression of human liberty. Free speech, the right to gather in protest, and all of these values which we in America regard as ‘human rights,’ were intrinsically put to the sword.

Stalin is a perfect example of such abuses, especially in examining how he had those who opposed his regime executed as counter-revolutionaries to the Communist movement. We must remember that Communism and Socialism are in themselves different systems, but we also must remember both are based upon Marx’s principles which were put down in the Communist Manifesto. In a reflection upon all the political systems which were rooted in Marx’s work, we find that all have failed in their initiated movement; and eventually end up forming into a dictatorship that dominates the working class. Treating them as nothing more than land to be harvested.

Adolf Hitler used the same policies in Nazi Germany, with the expulsion of non-Germanic peoples, and the violent persecution of Jews. His policy of “The common good before individual good” clearly was evident in his actions. Another look at the The Program of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party will reveal that the Nazi Party was in fact working towards a suppression of free speech through a state approved media.  The question comes down to this: How can we allow socialism, a system which has clearly been known to fail, take hold of the reigns of American progress? With liberty being suppressed by the state in the name of the common good, how can man truly be free to practice what he wishes, in both thought and action? This continues on into the third point I would like to focus on, “The Pursuit of Happiness.”

3. Happiness:

What is happiness? Is it an emotion? Is it a state of life? The question is often argued, but in reality we all can at least apply a natural answer to the question. Happiness is the result of liberty and life combined. The ability for the individual to enjoy that which is his, that which he has earned, and that which is his just merit. Whether it be the comforts and pleasures of entertainment, the ownership of private property, wealth, the simplicity of family life, or the liberty to pursue our dreams, happiness is what we all yearn for.

I boldly argue now on one important factor. What does Socialism do for the happiness of the human being? In fact, Socialism does away with the economic system and adopts a common state controlled redistribution system. Where the fruits of one’s labor are never truly seen, and simply stripped away from the hands of the just worker. The very clause, “The Pursuit of Happiness” comes into question. What happens to that pursuit? If the common worker is unable to reap the benefit of his work, no matter how much effort, time, and sincerity he puts forth into it, how can he pursue his dreams?

America is based on the ideals of opportunism and the American Dream. The very essence of which motivates man to give his work his all; in order that he may gain something in return for it. The pursuit of happiness follows two major paths: religion and materialism. In America particularly, we hold dearly to these two ideals. Freedom of religion allows a person to seek out God and worship under any name and religion which he sees fit; while the material aspect of happiness allows the individual to work towards his set goals, and accumulate the wealth or possessions he desires through his arduous work.

Socialism provides an alternate approach. In the history of Socialist movements, we see a powerful atheistic attack on religion. In Russia, China and North Korea, we find that religion is persecuted, and entirely removed from the public sphere. Why? According to Marx, religion is the opiate of the people. Meaning that religion inhibits a person’s ability to devote himself to endless work of requirements of socialist labor. I don’t mean to attack atheists by my above statement, but a careful review will show that a forced attack upon man’s religious liberties is also an attack upon his individual happiness.

Taking all of these factors into equation, it comes down to an indisputable fact that Socialism tramples upon these basic rights which our Declaration of Independence enumerates. If this is so, how can we as Americans, let alone as free individuals, accept such a system of change? Reflecting upon our national and family history, many of us will realize how much our fathers and their forefathers loved our country. It was true patriotism. But this patriotism does not lie simply in a love of country, but rather in the love of freedom and liberty for which our country stands. If the men and women who served our country thought that these ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were worth fighting and shedding their blood for, who are we to steer from that course and put an end to it by adopting Socialism?

I would like to close this argument with a reference to the beginning of my  work. America is currently wrought with corruption throughout its upper class, and an ever increasing number of lower class workers. Socialism is considered an answer to this problem, but throughout this argument I show how it is not; and how socialism will simply strip the human individual of his basic rights. What it comes down to is the basic strength of the American. That is, to persevere through the most difficult  of times, in order that we may reap the bounty of a new dawn. Our country undergoes a period of trial and error every so often. Each and every time we have succeeded in overcoming those difficulties. Can we do it again? Our forefathers who died for this country thought so! Let us work together and make this country something which our countrymen will not have died in vain for. Let us turn America into something that will make them proud; and while doing so, cherish the very things which make us who we are in this world. Our life, our liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

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 conquering the world for the Immaculate, slaying the Red Dragon of Marxism as it seeks the destruction of the Human Family, and even of fighting in defense of something which we never thought we would have to defend: The nature of Marriage as between one man and one woman.

My question to all of you reading this is simple, “What do you have to back up your words and threats?” Are we a mere collection of men with ideas, who enjoy discussing them and thinking of ways in which we can make a difference in this world? Or are we men who are willing to commit to something Willing to take the step forward and to put such words, thoughts, and ideals into ardent action.  Action, which if united under the Kingship of Christ and under the Victrix which his His Mother, would result in an ultimate victory!

We stand here, squabbling and arguing over what should be done.  How it should be done.  By God! Just do it! We stand back, afraid to enter the battlefield. Why? Is it the enemies numbers?  Is it their ferocious intent upon our destruction? Or is it something more?

Are we the ones who hold back, because of cowardice?  Insecurity? Lack of faith? Or perhaps we are, as Robert the Bruce’s father puts it (in Braveheart) about the Scottish Nobles,

“They are as rich in English titles as they are in Scottish!”

Has the enemy bought us out?  Where are our leaders?  We look to you to guide and lead us! You are the ones we rely on! Why can’t you step up to the plate and be the men you so ‘heroically’ claim to be?

Hesitance

Hesitance is our weakness. We fear the unknown. We fear what may happen if we engage such a relentless enemy. But men, this is our ultimate failing! We hesitate to act! Why? The question comes down to our own personal discomforts, we are afraid of stepping through the doorway. Or we have quarrels amongst ourselves, with whom we should be forging and building our greatest strength, unity and ally-ship. Why must we let our personal feelings get in the way of what should be done?

This hesitance is often what is worse than the very essence of doing nothing. Why? Because we know something has to be done, and we adamantly refuse to take the initial move to do it.

Hypocrisy

This is our humanity; and this is what we must overcome. We all claim to be ‘good’ Catholic Men. But what defines that? What makes us more than those outside our Faith? It’s not a question, as some put it , “Of accepting Christ as our personal savior.” No, it is much more. Catholicism is often frowned upon in the world, why? It preaches perfectionism. It calls for us to exceed our human limits, and strive for something even higher. Do we do that?

No. That is where the condemnation of our faith comes from. The crowning vice of hypocrisy. We claim to believe in an idea, that we never attempt to bring into existence. Do we strive for perfection? Or do we settle for what is comfortable and that which will win the recognition of our peers?

We claim to be Knights. In fact, we call ourselves knights. But when we search the inner sanctum of our heart, can we truthfully and satisfactorily answer that question? Do we live up to who we say we are?

People Look Up To You

What many people fail to realize, especially Catholics, is the responsibility which they have to live up to.  The world is watching you.  I’m sure you can relate to the Sex Abuse Scandals, in which many people, both inside and outside the Catholic Church, were effected.  They saw a lack of coordination in dealing with the situation, they saw hypocrisy, and they saw the bishops, who ought to be the shepherds of the flock, stand by and do nothing.

Where do we stand when the situation calls for action?  Are we living up to our responsibilities? Are we being theknights and leaders whom others need to see? We, as men, are rallying points.  Not simply to those in our family, but to those who share in our faith, and even to those outside of it!

If we live our Faith, people will see the Life of Christ within us; and then, and only then, will they take the step forward in an attempt to grasp at what we have.  The Light of Christ.

I myself am 18.  I look up to adults and fellow Catholic men in hopes of finding an inspiration and guidance in this dark hour of human history.  What do I find?  Exactly the very thing we all so adamantly condemn!  Disorder, hypocrisy, and cowardice.

We must unite, or we will fall.  That is our choice.  We are the men who must make that decision,  no one else can make this decision for us.  You either commit yourself fully unto the mission of Christ and the Immaculate, or you are simply insubordinate, and will do nothing more than hinder the progress of the Church on Earth.

Men, this is a Call to Arms.

Wake Up!

Fight the hypocrisy which we all so easily fall into.

Be the Knights who no one else will be.

And heroically with all your might,

fight for God, King, and Country.

Fight for all that matters.

Fight for what you believe in.

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.

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.

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!