Democratic-socialist Bernie Sanders has garnered immense national support for his fervent speeches and campaign messages discussing income inequality, free college and healthcare and, of course, the evils of capitalism. However, despite the passionate rhetoric, his intentional rebranding of socialism under the guise of “democratic principles” has come under harsh scrutiny from, well, people who live in a place outside socialist circles called “reality.”
According to Sanders, the immoral one percent will be covering the expenses designed to subsidize his progressive vision of equality. As we have seen throughout the course of his passionate campaign crusade on capitalism, Sanders has repeatedly affirmed the “corrupt” and “greedy” nature of capitalism, arguing against the “excessive” amounts of wealth accumulated by a small percentage of individuals.
Important questions remain. What constitutes ‘excessive?’ What individual or group in power gets to decide how much an individual can keep? Why should someone have to pay more in taxes if the individual honestly and legally creates value (process of wealth creation)?
According to the Wall Street Journal, his economic proposals would increase federal spending by more than $18 trillion over the next ten years, covering a single-payer healthcare system, expansion of Social Security and massive taxpayer-funded infrastructure program. If enacted, Bernie’s tax plan would subsequently extract more than $6.5 trillion from individuals and businesses in the private sector. Under his prescription of democratic socialism, Senator Sanders will furthermore increase budget deficits while exploding the overall size of the national debt (which is $18.5 trillion).
Bernie Sanders fundamentally neglects the value of economic freedom, individual responsibility and the power of self-interest and competition in a marketplace. Under his political lens, the government should play a chief role in directing the economy by fixing prices, redistributing wealth and disincentivizing prospects for high earnings. Economic freedom in the marketplace should not be a means to an idealistic end promoted by those who wish to impose their vision on society; liberty is, by its nature, an end in and of itself.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul is not only immoral, but also fundamentally wrong. At the heart of the progressive vision for more equitable outcomes is the source of envy and greed. Thomas Sowell, a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institute, underscored this premise. He argues: “I have never understood why it is ‘greed’ to want to keep the money you earned but not greed to want to take someone else’s money.” It is one thing to practice altruism and benevolence in your own personal life. It is another to use government force as a means to fund lofty, unrealistic visions for society.
Democratic socialism ultimately requires centralized control and regulation. It necessitates curbing individual freedom and confiscating private property in the name of the ‘common good’ and ‘public welfare’. Progressives will claim they possess a special knowledge and understanding for what is best for society and its individuals. I unequivocally reject this “vision of the anointed” mentality. The choices in my life should be mine to make, not a shadow bureaucrat or politician who innumerably wants to absorb more power and control over my life. Progressives will argue for more government spending and more stringent controls on the economy and trade, offering lofty solutions that they believe are morally and philosophically correct. Despite their rhetoric, one must understand that in order for those in power to achieve their visions and goals for society, the government must inevitably increase its role in controlling our lives.
In the end, force will always be the enemy of freedom. Democratic socialism, regardless of its name, will continue to be, as Winston Churchill once poetically affirmed, “the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.”
Froedge is a sophomore political science and economics double major from New Castle, Indiana.