Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all…We disapprove of state eduction. Then the socialists say that we are opposed to any education. We object to a state religion. Then the socialists say that we want no religion at all. We object to a state-enforced equality. Then they say that we are against equality. And so on, and son on. It is as if the socialist were to accuse us of not wanting persons to eat because we do not want hte state to raise grain.
- Frederic Bastiat
Indeed, since these words were written centuries ago, we are coming back full circle once again. We are seeing that now with the Progressives ("the New Socialists"") demanding that the State do everything on behalf of its citizens. And we DO hear these arguments from them – how, otherwise, can we decipher Republicans being called the "Party of No".
To me, this is the essence of the Nanny State – for when we are given everything, of what value is it? We know by personal experience that those things that have been EARNED are of the higher value. I have seen this upfront and personal when TMEW and I ran a daycare: those parents that had their childrens’ care paid by the State very much valued our services much less than those that had multiple kids and were paying their own way.
Socialism, a la the Progressives, will engender a larger and larger entitlement mentality – "I expect you to provide for me". And when you consider the true history of this country, nothing could be further from the truth.
When one looks at the tax code, it is easy to see that it isn’t just the mugger that is saying "Give me your wallet". Unlike Government, I know that the mugger will spend my money on himself.
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