Does anyone really understand what that means? My dictionary says that socialism is a theory that land, industries and goods produced should be owned, managed and distributed by a government representing the people; Is that what we have in America? Hardly. Another definition I found describes socialism as a temporary governmental stepping stone on it’s way to communism. That sounds about right.

But, how could America have gone from a capitalist society to a socialist/Marxist society? Anyone enjoying a ‘Free Market’ society would not be happy about having every aspect of their life controlled by a totalitarian government. I believe David Icke describes that move as the ‘Totalitarian Tiptoe’. In other words, this didn’t happen overnight. Corporations that started out as Free Market entities began buying up the competition, keeping prices low, to the point where they were big enough to charge whatever they wanted for their goods and services. And if their customers didn’t like it, what could they do about it? Where else could they go?

So, why would the consumers put up with that move? Because during the transition, they kept their prices easily affordable. Once they were the only game in town, it was time to jack up prices. If people complained too loudly, they could just blame it on inflation, which is no lie.

My first job in 1966, paid $2.75 an hour. And it was one of the higher paying jobs at the time. By the time I had moved to a factory in town, I was making $14.75 an hour. But, that was forty years later. I was laid off permanently about fifteen years ago. The original factory, a munitions plant, has fired up again and pays $21.00 an hour and above. But, it is very dangerous work, which is why I left, after a couple of explosions that caused fatalities, while I still had all of my fingers.

Naturally, the prices of food and utilities have out paced any raises in pay, forcing me to take most of the opportunities to work overtime. Mandatory, of course. I am someone who couldn’t give two shits about keeping up with the Jones. For two years I worked from 5:30 am to 10:30 at night. At that time, counting white collar and secretarial, the company employed 1,900 people. We were running three full shifts, weekends and holidays.

Another thing I’ve noticed over the years was the changes in family insurance premiums. We were UAW, so our insurance was part of our contract. I noticed first with Blue Cross-Blue Shield, then with AETNA, the company paid about three fourths of the premium, we paid about one forth. Incrementally, insurance became far less affordable for the working class of Americans. Today, far more working people are on Medicaid. How did that happen? It used to be either you worked or you were on Medicaid. But people earn far more an hour than I did and still need government assistance? I think it is a tiptoe to government controlled livelihoods. I just talked to a Walmart worker today. He got kicked off of Medicaid because he makes too much money. But he still can’t afford health insurance. His wife is disabled and was turned down for SSI. They always turn you down the first time. Even if your doctor signs his guarantee that you are indeed disabled. A local hospital signed them up for a cut rate insurance plan or they couldn’t afford to get sick.

Those of us who are on Medicare, besides our social security and possible pensions, receive notice several times a year that we might be eligible for government assistance in some form, such as supplements for food or utilities. No thanks. As long as I can keep my head above water, I have no desire to be on any kind of government assistance. And anyone who thinks that is a good idea, should ask the American Indian how that has worked out for them. Remember always, anything the government is big enough to give you, it is also big enough to take it away IF you cause any trouble.

Another clue of how capitalism is morphing into cartelism ( a word coined by David Icke) is the move from ‘Mom & Pop, brick and mortar local stores to large box stores, especially during the COVID-19 lock-downs. Remember the formula. Keep prices cheaper to coax people to shop at places like Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, and most of all Amazon. Once again, I encourage people to shop local first, as I do. I ask them, what are you going to do when the small businesses (still operating after the plandemic) have been forced to close and the only places you can shop are the big box stores, and soon Amazon. I don’t mind paying a little more for quality and the convenience of shopping here in town. And, I make sure my purchases are either something we can eat or something that will be useful in a down grid scenario.

Another change I have noticed, because it affected me directly, is publishing houses. I have several books at Amazon because there was a company that would take your manuscript and create the finished product, a book with your chosen cover for a very modest fee. If you wanted to pay more, they would even market it for you. Then, Amazon bought them out and I was persona non grata. Their phone number no longer worked. You had to go through Amazon to even contact them. They no longer honored my customer number. Thanks, Jeff Bezos. So, I have a manuscript lounging in my desk that will likely never see the light of day. You would think they would be happy to work with writers. It would benefit them as well as the writer. Oh, and agents and publishing houses, don’t want anything to do with you if you have ever ‘self-published’! I’m not sure that qualifies as self-published, but whatever. I just hope it isn’t like my experience at my last job.

Sheaffer Pen had been in business for almost one hundred years. They made quality writing instruments, from the inexpensive Fashion to the very expensive silver or gold Nostalgia or the precious gem encrusted Targa. Once a very competitive business, putting out quality products that were status symbols all over the world, one corporation after another bought us out until finally Bruno Bic bought us. Soon, I began to notice that the CEO wasn’t allowing me to order parts needed to build a finished product to complete an order. It didn’t matter how big the order was. Even a $100,000.00 Saudi order didn’t matter enough to let me order clips for one order or springs for another one.

When I threw a fit to the head of Accounting, a transplant from the Parker Pen co. he laughed and said, “A failing company is a wonderful tax write off. And Bic can do that for five years, then he’ll close the doors and shut the plant down. And that is exactly what he did.

How many times did that happen all over America? Between that and shutting down parts of lines, starting in late 70’s early 80’s, and shipping the lines to Mexico, Taiwan, Singapore and China, we were phased out. And, by the time of the last large permanent layoff, several hundred people were without a job. Some found employment at other factories in the area. Some of us went back to school on the company’s dime, at a local college and were trained in other professions. But, it still hurt the community. That story has been multiplied all over our country. None of it accidentally. I can hardly make myself buy any Bic product, knowing what kind of a person owns that company. But, Bruno Bic was smart, and kept the features that made Sheaffer Pen a classic writing instrument to own. The Bic stick pens that cost $1.25 for about 10 in a package write smoother than any others in the store. My only remaining question is does Bruno Bic honor the white dot warranty? Repair or replace for free? Probably not.

So, the majority of former employees are on Medicare, some are on Medicaid. And most are now drawing Social Security, all socialist programs. Just one step away from a guaranteed puny income, just enough to keep body and soul alive. And if our tyrannical government has its way, only if you obey the things that are approved in order to have a good social score. Can and will Trump put the brakes on this downhill momentum? Let’s get him back in the White House and find out if he will keep his promises.