How has communism flourished in so many countries? Two philosophers, Georg Hegel and Karl Marx, in the mid-19th century decided that the working man did not have any choice when working for his employer, and had to accept whatever demands his employer made of him. In subsequent years, unscrupulous politicians used this philosophy to gain control over masses of people. They had a great cause, i.e., the poor oppressed victim, the working man, who needed a champion for his cause. This champion, of course, was the “state.” However, as history tells us, these communist movements are doomed to failure. The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 that replaced the Tzarist autocracy with the Soviet “Worker’s” Union resulted in widespread famine. The “liberated” working man was in a worse economic position and had less freedom. However, people still have fallen for these hoaxes perpetuated by would-be dictators. Hitler started as the leader of the Socialist Party. Mussolini promised every Italian would have free health care. All Italians would have to do is carry a health card saying they were members of the Fascist Party.
Today, would-be dictators in the United States cannot use the working-man-victim approach. The people at the poverty level in the United States live at a better standard of living than many wealthy people in Europe. Today, the working man is certainly not a victim—he has more power than the entrepreneur for whom he works, but the communists need a victim. Let me see. Who cannot defend himself again the evil capitalists? How about the environment? Enter the “Environmental Movement.”
As usual with these movements, they have nothing to do with their names. The environmental movement has nothing to do with protecting the environment. The environmental movement is about forcing people to accept government control and increased taxation. Global warming is a perfect vehicle. We are told that the results will be catastrophic if we do not capitulate to the oppressive state controls. How many people remember the 1970s, when we were told by the government and experts that all of North America would be a giant ice cap in 10 years? It is no coincidence that April 22 was chosen as Earth Day. This was the birthday of the famous communist, and first head of the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic, Vladimir Lenin. This is perfect. This is what is called, “In your face.”
This article appears in Jul 10-17, 2008.