What is no longer being taught … Episode 2

Episode 2: Disaster Averted – America Is Born

With the term defined let’s explore the practice. Communalism has existed in many forms throughout history. One of the most important documents regarding the practice, The Communist Manifesto, came about in 1848. Yet, one of the most significant events regarding the practice of communalism / socialism took place in the Plymouth Colony over two centuries before the manifesto was written.

When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth (original destination was Jamestown … they were driven off course) in 1620 they did so under a “socialist” contract. For about two years the people worked and all of the products went into the Common House from which everyone was permitted to draw what they needed. The colony (collective) owned everything that was produced.

The colony nearly failed with this collective practice.

Some people produced all of the assets for the colony and everyone drew from the assets, even those who were capable of producing and did not do so. Producers found no incentive in producing for people who did not produce. It wasn’t until Governor William Bradford disbanded the practice of communal ownership and gave the individuals responsibility for their own plots of land that the colony started to thrive. Yes, the Native Americans assisted, but the proximate cause of the colony’s success was that each person/family worked for their own self-interest (self-interest is not selfishness although some will equate the two and to do so is incorrect.) People who would not work would be at risk for not eating. (If a man will not work neither shall he eat … hmm?) So in America, the Pilgrims abandoned socialism before it was call by that name. The ability to trade / barter / and interact with the free exchange of goods and services is what saved the colony from extinction. (3)

The founding of this country was primarily predicated upon the Pilgrims’ love of God. At the time of the Declaration and Constitutional Convention the Plymouth Colony’s ideology was met with some resistance from the folks at the Jamestown Colony and for the most part the Plymouth Colony’s thoughts prevailed. Individual liberty and the protection thereof was paramount. Independence and freedom were the orders of the day.

The governed, We the People, gave consent to the government and justly limited the powers of the government. Why? Rights come from God not government. The founders wanted to ensure that no person came into enough power so as to be a monarch / chief / dictator. (4)

What is no longer being taught … Episode 1

Episode 1: The Definition of Socialism

The following history, sadly, is no longer taught in schools.
The history of socialism in general has not been taught in a proper historical context.

Socialism – Miriam Webster Dictionary
1: any of a various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2a: a system of society of group living in which there is no private property
b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned by the state
3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done (1)

Socialism – Oxford Dictionary

  1. a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole
    policy or practice based on the political and economic theory of socialism
    (in Marxist theory) a transitional social state between the overthrow of capitalism and the realization of Communism. (2)

Off and running…

Welcome to the blog. In this space I write about things that make me go hmm? Some things have importance to the saving of the republic, some things have an intent of frivolity, and some things have no intent. Regardless, they make me go hmm?

As an American raised during a time when critical thinking skills were paramount, essay questions were the norm, and the dreaded word problem in math prevailed, I acquired the skills necessary to retain my common sense despite colleges and universities trying drive it out of me. Once upon a time colleges required four years of English, four years of Math, four years of a foreign language, and four years of social sciences (World Geography, World History, U.S. History, Civics) for entrance. Back then a high school education prepared students to engage in everyday life and professions. Success was not predicated upon going to college. The high school education demanded more of its students then than many, dare I say most, college educations today.

Warning: the posts may cause chuckles, irritation, anger, tears, and thought. If this site encourages one to question things then it has succeeded!

Enjoy and thank you for stopping by.

Darrell