2009-10-09

The Demonick Diatribes – #4

Socialism & Sacrifice

At this time the USA seems to have a president hell bent on attempting to create yet another socialist utopia. 

The basic problem with socialism is that people are not motivated to work for the benefit of others, but are motivated to work for the benefit of themselves and their own.  In short we are motivated more by self-interest than by altruism.

But what of altruism, self-sacrifice, volunteerism, and charity?  These qualities exist and our human instincts undeniably include them.  What of selfless doctors, volunteers, toiling in the heat of Africa, or in the rural stretches of America?  What of those who eschew wealth and the pursuit of wealth to serve the needs of others?  All but the sociopaths among us have some sort of urge to help others.  The USA is the most generous nation on earth, its citizens donating BILLIONS a year to causes they deem worthy.  Legions of volunteers build homes for the homeless, serve meals to the hungry, minister to the sick, and shelter the abused.  We all believe these efforts to help the needy are good, so it would seem altruism is an instinct, a basic motivation of the human psyche.  If so, why has socialism failed where ever it is tried?  Why has socialism invariably failed in every nation to so experiment? 

Sacrifice.

It is not accurate that selfless persons are totally selfless.  This is not meant to belittle the selfless acts of others.  It is recognition sacrifice has a reward in one's self image. 

"I am sharing my wealth with those less fortunate."

"I am dedicating myself to helping the needy."

"I am helping to build this house for this poor family."

"I could be making 6 figures, but rather I toil in the dust and heat to bring care to these children."

"I gladly sacrifice myself, for the benefit of others."

I, I, I, I, I.

The person who sacrifices their own gain gets something in return.  They feel good.  They feel good that they are making the selfless choice to help others.  They feel good, when they save a life, feed the hungry, clothe the ragged, and shelter the endangered.

What is the difference between the government taking some of your money and giving it to the needy, and you directly donating that same sum to the needy?  Why does not paying our thousands of dollars in taxes, the lion's share of which goes toward social entitlement programs, make us feel as good as dropping a $20 in the Salvation Army kettle? 

Obligation.  Coercion.

When altruism becomes obligation it ceases to be satisfying.  When altruism is coerced is ceases to be sacrifice.  Personally, paying my taxes does not make me feel like a good person, but donating much less money to a local woman's shelter does. 

At the core, at the atomistic level of the individual, this is why socialism will eventually fail where ever it is tried, when ever it is tried, and by whom ever it is tried.  This is why the current US president's efforts to swing the socialism needle far to the left will eventually fail.