I’ve been writing and thinking about Socialism of late and I realized, while running down a mental rabbit trail, that Socialism only functions if there is a strong, large central government. I’m unaware of any Socialist government that developed naturally. All examples I can think of came about when an existing central government was co-opted by Socialists and its power and resources were twisted to fit the new agenda. Sometimes the process is sudden and violent and sometimes slow and subtle, but it remains true that Socialism aggressively inserts itself into a society, it is not welcomed in as a liberator.

There is plenty of evidence it is trying to do so here in the US despite its very public history of failure. The question is not, “How can we stop it?” The issue is much more subtle, in my opinion. The question is, “Why are we asking the question at this point in time?” Put another way, “How has Socialism made such inroads that we’re having to ask at all?”

It would appear that after only 390 years or so, our populace has reached a place where the values and spirit that created the brilliant governmental supernova that was the American Republic no longer run deep in our hearts. From its inception in the hearts of the colonists who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620; men and women who

faced a lengthy series of challenges, from bureaucracy, impatient investors and internal conflicts to sabotage, storms, disease, and uncertain relations with the indigenous people. … (Whose) story has become a central theme of the history and culture of the United States.

to Patrick Henry’s famous demand 150 years later, “Give me liberty or give me death!” and even in evidence yet a century later in the hearts of those on both sides of the Civil War, our nation was created, sustained and passed on by men and women who personally believed in things deeply and vibrantly enough they were willing to risk all, and many did exactly that, to see their dreams come to pass. In the face of such purpose and passion not a single obstacle stopped their advance. The ocean they crossed, the nation they settled, the wars they fought and the myriad other impediments to realizing their dream for Liberty and Freedom - none of these were successful. There burned in their breast the flame of Liberty. There dwelt in their limbs the strength to be free men and women - free to succeed and free to fail.

In such soil, there was no room or sustenance for Socialism. Call it rugged individualism, call it Protestant work ethic, call it pioneer spirit, call it what you will - Americans struggled and fought, working together for the right to pursue Life, Liberty and Happiness as individuals with all the joy and tragedy such a pursuit entails. As deep and as real as those tragedies were, the reality and the height of the joys stemming from our successes lifted a nation, and its people, from non-existence to world leadership in just 300 years.

From that time, however, until now - a mere 90 years or so, we find ourselves on the verge of losing the freedom produced by the efforts of clearer seeing men than ourselves.

We have become a nation of people that no longer looks at a problem and determines a personal solution to implement, we have become a nation that looks at a problem and demands a governmental solution to intervene. Even as recently as 40 years ago, Jack Kennedy could tap into the original American Spirit and challenge us with the words, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!” The current leaders of the Party which produced a man who could utter such sentiment now stir our hearts with ringing questions like “Where did I put Universal pre-K?”

There is a way out. There’s always a way out. But it won’t be easy and some will say it’s impossible. Well, I imagine the folks that first suggested a trans-Atlantic trip were sneered at and laughed at, too. The brave souls that got in Conestoga wagons and headed West were surely misunderstood by most of their neighbors. Why would they leave the peace, safety and security of the established East where all the amenities of life were at hand? Why not just stay where society is developed and there are no cholera epidemics, no Indian predators, no rivers to drown in or snowstorms to freeze in or mountain ravines to fall in or prairies to starve on? Of course, had the few not ignored the loud pleas of the comfortable many and followed instead quiet whisper of the lone voice of Freedom we would not have the resources of the Mississippi, the fertility of the Great Plains, the beauty of the majesty of the Rockies and the wealth of the 49ers gold, among so many other things.

The way out will involve both personal and corporate sacrifice and strategy. We will have to steel ourselves to do without the tempting cornucopia of the federal government. With small steps at first and larger ones later we will need to wean ourselves off of the deception that is “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.” If you’re on welfare, get a job and get off and stay off. If you have no healthcare, then get another job so you can afford it yourself. If you have children, homeschool them and pour your values and morals into them or at the very least be so involved in their education that the failing morals of society can find no place in their hearts and minds. Find like minded souls and band together. Form groups and coops and work together to get the word out that there’s an alternative. Get involved politically and be passionate while being polite. Lead and others will follow. Elect good men and women who share your values and who will refuse to vote for earmarks and entitlements to ensure their personal success and the failure of the Republic. People will sneer and laugh and ridicule and many of us will fail. But if we listen to our dreams and not our fears, it won’t take us 300 years this time. Maybe we’ll be able to enjoy our victory with our grandkids.

In short, take responsibility for your own life and your own success. When you succeed, and many of you will, encourage others to follow the trail you have blazed, to cross the bridges you have built and to face the dangers you have braved. You’ve shown them it’s possible by your success. Teach them how that their way might be easier. Be proud of your success, be it small or large, because even tiny successes refute the lie that others would have you believe - that you can’t do it alone and so you must have the government to help you. Big or little, your success inspires others to believe in their dreams and leave the comfort of the public trough for the bounty that is personal responsibility.

The road out of today’s danger is not a matter of geography. It’s a matter of attitude. But the advice given to those with wild dreams of freedom 200 years ago still applies even if no physical roads travel to the place today’s travelers need to reach. Since the same spirit dwells in the hearts of freedom loving men and women from that generation and our own the same advice still resonates because it appeals not to geography but to our heart, to our dreams, to our future - “Go West!”