The United States, with its stoic individualism and entrepreneurial spirit has always been at the forefront of mankind’s success. This didn’t happen by accident, it’s a biproduct of a capitalist society that thrives on ambition, innovation and competition. The American dream is not just a catch phrase, it’s an idea rooted in a belief that anyone can achieve success, regardless of race, color, or creed; with one caveat, you must apply yourself in this meritocracy.
This dream manifests itself in every groundbreaking invention, every small business that opens, and every employment opportunity that arises from the lush ground of free enterprise. For example, Silicon Valley didn’t emerge out of a government induced utopia, it sprouted from the fertile soil of innovation that capitalism cultivates.
As blue states in America continue to push further and further to the socialist left, it’s important we recognize the wreckage being left behind by these socialist/progressive policies throughout the nation. America is littered with cities and states that attempted to stifle freedom and opportunity through centrally planned economies, only to watch their communities spiral into chaos. You don’t need to look far to see the carnage on full display in progressive cities and towns.
Let’s take a close look at governments intervention across America. New York, California, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, and several others, all bankrupt and running massive deficits. They believe the only option available is massive tax increases on the working man and woman, while trapping generations in cycles of dependency on government welfare programs.
Let’s not just gloss over the failures of progressive states. In these states, tax structures are designed to redistribute wealth under the guise of fairness. Work ethic is disincentivized and mediocracy is bestowed on the masses. Instead of creating opportunities, they create programs to shackle individuals to the state, reliant on government handouts rather than championing self-reliance and independence. This is the legacy progressives continue to perpetuate, a modern-day economic slavery.
High taxation doesn’t create equality; it creates resentment and discouragement. Those who create wealth, the entrepreneurs, innovators, the small business owners, and hard-working Americans shouldn’t be penalized for success; they should be rewarded for their efforts. Capitalism rewards those who take risks and strive for excellence; this is the true nature of the American dream.
Consider this sobering fact; the wealth created in capitalist societies is not merely about profits, it’s a fundamental pillar supporting every bit of economic growth, innovation, and real human progress. Anyone that truly believes that centralized control and government handouts can match the ingenuity fueled by competition lacks a fundamental understanding of basic societal governance?
The very fabric of American prosperity is woven with entrepreneurial threads that have birthed everything from the cotton gin to the Falcon rocket. It’s a system that rewards initiative, ambition, and courage. And for every anecdote of corporate greed, we must never overlook the jobs created, the goods produced, and the immense wealth generated which drives a capitalist society.
The brutal truth is that socialism weakens a society, suffocating dreams and ambitions beneath the weight of bureaucratic control. If America hopes to foster true success, we must cling to the principles of capitalism, which liberates minds and spirits to reach for the stars. This fact alone holds the key to preserving the American dream in perpetuity.
Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer.
