There are many people out there that bash Socialism and praise Capitalism. While I agree that Capitalism plays an important role in allowing individuals to pursue their own agendas, I also think that there are vast benefits that we enjoy that are, in fact, Socialist manifestations in our society today. I live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and one of the best things about living here is the freedom to explore and use what is mostly government owned land. In fact, approximately 97% of the surrounding area is owned by the government. This land is what allows me the freedom to explore Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, the Gros Ventre Wilderness, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and many other government owned lands. Because of these lands, I can flyfish the Gros Ventre River... I can hike Snow King Mountain and gaze at the amazing surrounding untouched, government-owned landscape. I can drive five minutes to fish Flat Creek that is located on the National Elk Refuge and catch a 22 inch Cutthroat Trout. All of these things would be impossible to enjoy if it weren't for all of this government owned land. Like it or not, this is Socialism. Socialism at it's best. If Capitalism where in complete control here, all of this amazing land would be owned by the elite few...Old Faithful would erupt in a billionaire's back yard...a private ranch owner would be the only one fishing my favorite section of the Gros Vente...the Grand Teton would be located on a CEO's private estate.
From my perspective, Capitalism is purely based on individual needs and ignores the collective whole. I think because Capitalism is purely based on individual needs, that it is vastly inferior to what we as a whole, can achieve and provide to individuals. If we can get over our desire for complete individual control, I think we can achive much greater things and actually provide a better life for individuals. I think that the reason certain Socialist regimes have failed is because those regimes were, in fact, turned over to a few individuals to control completely and, in fact, were not true Socialist countries. If we can get to the point of providing Socialism that is controlled by the whole of the nation and give enough freedom to individuals to continue their own pursuits within a framework established and controlled by the whole, then individuals will prosper much more fully than what Capitalism has to offer.
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