Letters | 11-13-14

America Chooses capitalism (again)

Here we are, yet again, at a total rejection by America’s electorate of Democratic governing policies. I’ve seen this before. Harry Truman was president when I was born, so I’ve seen America promised “change we can believe in” many times. And America falls for it about once a generation. But once that generation is so predictably disappointed by the utter failure of Democrat governance, they are lost to future attempts to win them back.

All those millennials who were so eager to support Barrack Obama won’t easily be swayed by progressive policies next time around. Even core constituencies, such as blacks and Hispanics, seem to be asking what do the Democrats really do for us. The answer is “not much. ‘

The basic problem with Democrat core beliefs is they are socialist in nature. The two basic planks of Democrat governing policy are: create a level playing field through income redistribution and government controls everything.

Liberals hate capitalism. And by extension, rich people. They see wealth and individual success as patently unfair and liberals believe it is their sacred responsibility to make everything fair. Capitalism isn’t fair. But it does provide something socialism can never provide — an opportunity to control your own destiny. Liberals say capitalism only benefits the 1 percent,leaving 99 percent on the outside looking in. But there is something else capitalism provides, the ability for anyone to be a member of the top 1, 10 or 25 percent. You see, there are millions of Americans who live extraordinary lives that are not in the top 1 percent. Socialism can never provide that kind of opportunity.

There is a reason President Barck Obama is only the second two-term Democratic president since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Lyndon B. Johnson’s first terms were so dismal — as was Obama’s — there was no chance of a second term.

The battle for the soul of America is really quite clear. If you believe we need government to watch over every aspect of our lives, to make life fair, to determine our needs and then provide them, you are compelled to vote Democrat. If, however, you believe in being in control of your own life, a limitless self potential and rewards for ambition and hard work then you can never vote for politicians with liberal policies.

If you like cars, computers, your iPhone, traveling in jet airliners, television — then you’re a capitalist. For none of these inventions would exist if it were not for the American capitalist system.

Dave Chrisman

Kailua-Kona