A few discussions in a couple recent posts has motivated my "know it all ass" to quickly touch on this issue. That issue would be language or more appropriately how certain words are used in our political lexicon as ideological selling points. Now before I do this, I must tell you that as a gentleman who has spent the last 19yrs working in sales and marketing after leaving college I consider myself to be a master salesman. That said, I tend to listen a lot.
Listening is a tool which is essential for one to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas. Which brings me to the point of this blog. With all the malapropisms within our current political discourse, I feel the need to weigh in on the word "SOCIALISM". For this, I shall employ the words of one of my favorite political scholars, and most quoted political commentator of all time, Noam Chomsky.
Tell 'em about Socialism Noam:
Dang, did you notice where he said true socialism is akin to conservatism as we know it? No seriously, did you catch the breakdown on what socialism really is? I don't know about you, but I get the feeling that "certain people" don't know what the hell they're talking about as they carry around these signs likening Obama's policies to socialism. Or the stupid idea that we're slowly becoming like Russia. No stupid, there is no way we're becoming like Russia.
The problem - aside from people just being downright ignorant - is that people are confusing socialism for a political movement when it's not. It is an economic model and nothing more. That said, what socialist economy gives billions of dollars to failing companies (banks) who eventually turn around and make a profit? Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it Bush and company who came out and scared everyone into thinking that was what had to be done?
But lets talk about Industrial Democracy as brought up by Chomsky:
My bad, I didn't mean to allow my inner Economics geek out the bag. Yeah, you can thank the good folks at Indiana University for all they taught me. But that's neither here nor there. But hey, lets talk about socialism and income equality shall we? Or, lets talk about what Paul Krugman spoke on in the video above. More importantly, lets talk about why republicans are being paid to vote against the Employee Free Choice Act, can we? Or maybe we can talk about why Oil Companies are funding organizations who work against clean energy legislation?
Take your pick...
lets talk.
