Socialism will creep up on us

“The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But, under the name of “liberalism,” they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation without knowing how it happened ... The Democratic Party has adopted our (Socialist) platform.” -- Norman Mattoon Thomas, six-time Socialist candidate for president, in a 1944 speech.

Snopes says attributing this quote to Thomas is “probably false,” meaning the rumor-busting website can neither prove nor disprove that he said it. But who said it is irrelevant. Someone, at least 50 years ago, did make that prediction, according to Snopes.

“Webster’s New World Dictionary” defines Socialism as “ ... any system (in which) the ownership and operation of the means of production and distribution (is controlled by the state]) ... rather than by private individuals ...”

But Socialism is also the presence of government in every facet of life. Who can deny Americans increasingly look to government to solve their problems? Just ask the Wall Street protesters: “I owe a lot on student loans.” “I bought a house I couldn’t afford.” “I made poor investments.” “I lost my job.” All are personal problems that people have been conditioned since infancy to expect — expect — government to solve for them. “If you’re not a Socialist when you’re 20, there’s something wrong with your heart,” someone once said. “If you’re still a Socialist when you’re 40, there’s something wrong with your head.”

If soul-numbing Socialism ever comes to America, it will come slowly, one “helpful,” liberal step at a time. And when it’s over, when all our personal hopes, dreams and desires must yield to the needs of the state, no one will remember how or why or when it happened, just as Thomas predicted — allegedly.

Don Frost

Rolling Meadows