Why You Should Vote: Socialist

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines socialism as "any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods."

The Urban Dictionary defines a socialist as "Lasy types (often soap-dodgers) who think that more successful people must have got their money by subterfuge and therefore owe them a living. Often think that the dole is a valid career choice."

(Criticize the Urban Dictionary's credentials all you want, but once you read about the Philly Fake Out, you'll change your tune.)

Needless to say, the 78-year old Socialist Party Presidential Candidate Walt Brown has his work cut out for him. On the polls in a meager 8 states, repesenting a lowly 98 electoral votes, things look bleak. Despite essentially needing an election catastrophe the likes of which we'll never see, Brown, along with his 69-year old female running mate, Mary Alice Herbert (whose greatest claim to date is running against Howard Dean in the 1996 Vermont Gubernatorial Election), plow on.

So why vote Socialist?

- Change. Brown's platform introduces socialism as a method to "new social and economic order in which workers and consumers control production and community residents control their neighborhoods, homes, and schools." A revolution by the people, for the people, and of the people can bring about this change, as the platform states "By revolution we mean a radical and fundamental change in the structure and quality of economic, political, and personal relations. The building of socialism requires widespread understanding and participation, and will not be achieved by an elite working "on behalf of" the people."

- Strong defense of civil liberties. This includes calling for "the abolition of the covert operations of the Central Intelligence Agency and of the political activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation" as well as opposing "so-called anti-terrorist measures and criminal code reforms that restrict legitimate dissent." Brown pledges to expand "community release programs and other alternatives to prisons, and for a moratorium on new prison construction." Also included is legalization of drugs, calling for "the decriminalization of victimless crimes including substance abuse, and the decriminalization of marijuana." On gay marriage, Brown calls for "the repeal of all sodomy laws and anti-lesbian and gay restrictions, and the legalization of same-sex unions or marriages." Also worth mentioning that they support "children’s allowances in order to satisfy every child’s basic rights and needs in a stimulating, empowering, and caring environment."

- Against the War. Brown calls for "the United States to immediately and unconditionally withdraw its forces in Iraq and Afghanistan." Also, Brown calls for cuts in military spending, requesting "an immediate cut of 50% in the military budget, followed by additional cuts, with the aim of rapidly reducing the military budget to less than 10% of its current level, with the “peace dividend” directed to essential social services and to the cost of cleaning up contaminated military sites."

- Pro-Unions. A Socialist in favor of unions? Get out of here.

- Universal Health Care.

- Pro-Choice. This includes "one year’s paid leave to be shared by new parents or in its entirety by a single parent" and a repeal of the Hyde Amendment.

Criticisms of socialism reach far back, and essentially criticize a lack of incentives and a creation of a welfare state. Just read the Urban Dictionary definition of socialist again. Many feel a socialist state would eliminate rewards for efficency and instead maintain mediocrity with no incentives to improve. The government would give you your house, and you wouldn't worry about pay rates, which essentially refutes the Puritian ethic of hard work and reaping the benefits of that work that this country masks as "the American way."

For more info, check out:
Socialist Party USA
Walt Brown for President
The World Socialist Movement
For the young'ns: Young People's Socialist League