Founding Fathers and Many Great Americans were Socialists (according to the modern Republican definition of socialism)

Introduction
Our Founding Fathers, most of our greatest Presidents, and many great Americans in our history were in fact Socialists. This is according to the modern definition of Socialism.

The majority of Republicans, Tea Party activists, and conservative leaders today have been throwing around the words “Socialist” and “Socialism” to just about everything. It seems that any idea where the public is allowed equal access is considered socialist. It seems that any activity operated by the government on behalf of the public is considered socialist. Although I don’t want government to manage everything in life, I do believe that some government management and oversight of activities is sensible. Not all government activities are socialist.

In this article I will point out that their modern definition of Socialism is in fact the best of America. I will also point out that every idea embraced by our Founding Fathers and our greatest Presidents would be considered Socialist today - if we use the modern definition of Socialism.

1. “Of the People, By the People, For the People”.

This phrase was stated by Abraham Lincoln in reference to the essence of our country, and yet it would be called “Socialism” by Republicans of today.

The Republican leaders today don’t believe that the people have a right to participate in democracy; rather, most Republicans believe in representatives (not direct democracy) who perpetuate the cycle of benefiting the elite at expense of the people.

The Republican leaders of today would rephrase Lincoln’s statement of America as “Of the elite, by the bribed representatives, and for the corporations.” Anything else would be considered socialism.

Yes, by modern definitions, Abraham Lincoln’s version of America would be called socialist.

2. The public library system
In the public library system, books are owned collectively and shared among the community for free. This concept sounds like Socialism! And the library is managed by a local government entity, paid for by tax dollars. Clearly this is a socialist concept! 

Do you know who created the public library system? Benjamin Franklin. Ben Franklin - that entrepreneur, inventor, witty statesman, and paragon of colonial America – he created the public library system. Was his creation of the public library system a socialist idea?

Also, here is a side note worth thinking about: The library system would probably not be created today. People would claim infringements on intellectual property. Yet Franklin made his fortune as a newspaper publisher and writer – intellectual property in printed form – and yet he had no problem with the idea of sharing information through a public library. This is something to think about when similar ideas are being discussed today.

3. Public schools
If conservatives had their way they would abolish all public schools. Only the rich would be educated because they could afford to send their children to private schools, or could afford to have a parent stay home for home schooling. Furthermore, conservatives have told me -very specifically - that teaching students practical skills is a socialist idea!

Do you know who created the public school system? Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson believed that all towns must have a public school. The public schools were essential for all Americans to learn about civics, to develop good character, and to learn practical skills. Oh yes, in modern terms, Thomas Jefferson would be considered a socialist.

4. Public Parks
Parks are areas of land set aside by the government for the people to enjoy. These parks are paid for by taxes or use fees, and managed by a government entity. This concept sounds like socialism to many people today.

When discussing parks and natural spaces today, many conservatives would rather see all land be used for private industry, and allow large spaces to be owned only be the wealthy. Yet the land belongs to the people before it belongs to any business. Therefore all land is public land until the people decide to use it or sell it for another purpose.

The first major proponent of national parks was President Theodore Roosevelt. He saw the beauty of parks and believed Americans would benefit by being in the rugged outdoors more often. Roosevelt was a Republican, and born into wealth. Yet if you believe that setting aside land for public use is a socialist idea, then you also must believe that Teddy Roosevelt was a socialist.

5. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Teddy Roosevelt also performed some other acts which modern Republicans would consider socialist. For example, Roosevelt created the Food and Drug Administration (a government entity which regulates a private industry). Modern Republicans would see this as an intrusion on private industry (and call it socialism), yet most other Americans would view this as a sensible move which protects the general public.

6. Printing Money

The Constitution of the United States authorizes the federal government to print money. This is contrast to the states or private banks printing money (which was common in those days). In modern times, Republicans would see this as socialism. Why should the federal government do something that private banks or individual states should do? Republicans today believe that banks should run free, and in this case it would mean printing their own money. Republicans would say that giving the job of printing money only to the federal government is a socialist proposal. I would argue that this is one task which is best left to the federal government, and is not socialism. And if you do think it is socialism, then all those men at the Constitutional Convention were socialists for having ideas such as these!

7. The People versus the Financial Elite

The Occupy Protesters are protesting one common sense idea: that the financial elite who have stolen money, damaged businesses, and destroyed the economy have not been effectively taken to justice. The Occupy Protesters, and the 99% of the population the protesters represent, simply want financial criminals punished, money returned to proper owners, and no more taxpayer money given to these crooks (who use the people's money perpetuate their crimes).

And yet, these ideas are called “Socialist” by Republicans and Tea Party Activists. In their minds, the ways of Mitt Romney, the Rockefellers, and Wall Street are the ways of America. Anything else is “Socialism”.

However, let us go back to the Presidency of Andrew Jackson. Prior to Jackson taking office, there was a national bank which was granted almost unlimited powers by the federal government. This bank was run by the financial elite of the day. Those elite used the bank to support political candidates they liked, and to refuse loans to anyone they didn’t like. Jackson believed this national bank was inherently un-American.

Andrew Jackson was a man of the people. He grew up as an ordinary American, without special privileges, and he despised any actions which benefited the elite at the expense of the people. Therefore Andrew Jackson fought this national bank with all his tenacity. Jackson eventually defeated the financial elite and their national bank – which was a great triumph for democracy.

In a series of speeches and letters he said things very similar to what Occupy Protesters are saying today. Jackson also complained that the rich and powerful should not have more influence in Congress than the average hard-working citizen, merely because those wealthy individuals can afford lobbyists and are able to take the personal time to influence Congress.

Such talk and actions from a President today would be called “socialist” and “communist”. I prefer to call it “democratic” and “egalitarian”.

8. Clean Water, Equal Access to Water

Water is fundamental necessity, and the person who controls the water controls society. Wars and feuds throughout history have been started over adequate water supply. Therefore equal access to water is essential. Yet to hear the conservative leaders talk about it, ensuring an adequate supply of water is another socialist idea.

Under common law (as well as federal law and in every state law), no one is allowed to hoard water, to prevent people downstream from using water, or to pollute the general water supply. Anyone who lives downstream is allowed equal access to water. In addition, every citizen in a metro area can be ensured that community drinking water meets a minimum level of health standards.

Over the course of American history, there have been hundreds of civic leaders throughout the nation who created and served on government agencies which manage water supplies. These Americans have ensured that people in their region have equal access to water, enough water to meet their needs, and water that is safe to drink. If you believe that it is a socialist idea for a government body to manage water on behalf of the people, and to ensure adequate water supply for the future, then you must concede that these numerous civic leaders were socialists.    

9. Transportation

Whenever public transportation is discussed, many conservatives adamantly state: “public transportation is a socialist/communist agenda – it is a plan to keep the people controlled and confined”. This is one on the most common, and longest held, charges of “socialism” or “communism” I have heard over the years. It is also one of the craziest.

Let us take a look at another type of transportation system (and one approved by the conservatives): the Interstate Freeway System. These are highways which are built and managed by the government (rather than private land owners) for the public to use (oh my – the public!) rather than selected individuals (such as the elite). And it is “Free” for the public to use - the word Free is even in the name! (taxes yes, but no tolls, so daily travel is free).

Do you know who the visionary was behind the Interstate Freeway System? None other than President Eisenhower, a Republican! The man who fought Nazis (the German socialists) in the 1940s, and then communists in the 1950s, was also the man who developed this “socialist/communist” idea of "transportation which benefits the public"!

If public transportation systems like rail and buses are socialist ideas, then freeways and public roads which also benefit the public are equally socialist. And so is Eisenhower.

Therefore, the next time you hear any proposal for an effective transportation system, think twice before dismissing it as a nefarious plot.

Conclusion

Either all of these acts are examples of socialism, or none of them are. Either all of these great Americans were socialists, or none of them were.

If you believe that the actions and views of Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Dwight Eisenhower were socialist, then you must concede that socialism is a good thing. You must concede that socialism is part of the American Character. You must agree that Americans should embrace socialism, fully and openly.

Otherwise, you should stop calling every proposal related to democracy, equality, and the good of the people as being part of a socialist or communist agenda.

Mark Fennell
Feb 12, 2012

Making America Great - A Practical Handbook for Improving our Society

Making America Great is a handbook and practical guide for ordinary citizens to make improvements in their communities. Based on a decade of research and talking with experts around the country, this book provides practical tips on how to make our communities better.

In this book you will learn how changes are made in a society, including the sequence of events and the key players in any successful movement. You will understand the types of people in any major societal shift, and how to work with each type of person to get the most out of your movement.

You will learn how to deal realistically with politics, economics, bureaucrats, and the criminal element while persistently developing your vision. You will learn how to lead people effectively, including managing teams and getting the most out of discussions. You will learn how get people to perform small easy tasks which will collectively result in large scale changes.

You will also be inspired as you read the reasons we should continue to make changes, why we should continue to act, and why we should continue to care. You will also be shown that making large scale changes are indeed possible.

This book also provides a series of targets for America – who we are, and where we should be headed. This book also provides role models of great Americans – people for us to emulate, people who embody everything discussed in the book. (If millions of Americans would follow role models such as these our society as a whole will develop closer to the ideal America).

Making America Great also provides a brief summary of practical tips for improving the most important areas of our society. These include education, government operations, and business practices.

And because humor is so important to our lives and our practical achievements, an entire chapter is devoted to humor in the workplace.

The original book was published in 1998, with subsequent editions. The book is landmark book - unique when first published - with very few comparable books since that time.

Making America Great is just as relevant and just as practical today as the initial edition. In the many years since the book’s first publication, the concepts have been proven again and again. Unfolding events such as the 912 movement, the Occupy Movement, major corporate fraud, and the results of the terrorist attacks have all been “predicted” by the original book. The themes and principles remain as truthful as ever.

Furthermore, in the last 10 years, the original book has spawned an entire series of books, collectively known as the Making America Great series, numerous blogs and websites, and at least two political movements. This is in addition to inspiring the many readers who have used the information to make changes in their own sphere of influence.

Making America Great is written as a handbook, with summary points and short chapters. Read this book and understand the practical tips for making real changes in our society...and in ways that are easy for any citizen to do.

During My First Term as President I Will…

If elected President, by the end of my first term I will do the following:

a) Secure our borders with an effective physical barrier, and deport at least 25% of illegal immigrants.

b) Prosecute at least 60% of financial criminals to the fullest extent of the law, and return all stolen money to proper owners.

c) Create a Small Business and Middle Class Task Force, which will evaluate the effects of all laws and regulations on those two key segments of society, as well as make recommendations to the appropriate officials.

d) Make the financial summaries of government operations easier to access, obtain, and interpret, along with an extensive set of links for more detailed information on each topic.

e) Persuade Congress to pass a series of legislative reforms which will:

1. Provide more oversight of the financial sector.

2. Establish significant restrictions of allowable financial transactions.

3. Restrict foreign ownership of federal, state, and municipal government operations, including infrastructure, security, and bonds.

4. Return authority of most government activities to state and local regions.

5. Increase personal freedoms and allow more personal choices for individuals.

These are the goals I will achieve in my first term as President of the United States.

Similarities between Tea Party and Occupy Movements

Introduction

There are three big movements going on today: the Tea Party Movement, the 9/12 Movement, and the Occupy Wall Street Movement.

Each movement is actually very similar. The people involved in each of these movements actually want similar things.

I am involved with all three movements. I have friends in each movement. I communicate with several people around the nation in each movement. And I fully support the goals of each of these movements.

Unfortunately, there are members of each movement who strongly disapprove of the other movements. Many citizens, political leaders, and major media personalities will strongly praise one movement, then strongly criticize the other movement.

This befuddles me. From my perspective, I see that each movement is branch of the same general ideas.

These general ideas include:

a) returning our nation to original American principles

b) restoring democracy and ensuring that the government truly represents the will of the people

c) focusing on local communities, and

d) increasing personal freedom.

 

Instead of media personalities and members of one movement criticizing the goals of another movement, everyone should see that the goals of each movement are essentially the same, then combine their forces in voicing their grievances.

To that end, I have created a list below of how the Tea Party and the Occupy Movements are very similar. Below you will find a series of paired statements, which show the similarities.

How the Tea Party and Occupy Movements are similar

1a) The Tea Party wants to get money out of Washington.

1b) The Occupy Movement wants to get money out of Wall Street.

2a) The Tea Party wants to reduce the power of government over our lives.

2b) the Occupy Movement wants to reduce the power of the financial sector over our lives.

3a) The Tea Party wants to reduce the size and scope of the federal government.

3b) The Occupy Movement wants to reduce the size and scope of the financial sector.

4a) The Tea Party wants corrupt politicians removed, punished, and replaced.

4b) The Occupy Movement wants corrupt financial elite to be removed, punished, and replaced.

5a) The Tea Party believes that families and local government are the primary elements of society.

5b) The Occupy Movement believes that families and neighborhoods are the primary elements of society.

6a) The Tea Party believes that local communities come first, and that state and national involvement exist only as necessary.

6b) The Occupy Movement also believes that local communities come first, and state and national involvement exists only as necessary.

7a) The members of the Tea Party movement want much greater freedom for individuals, allowing each person to live as he or she desires.

7b) The members of the Occupy Movement also want much greater freedom for individuals, allowing each person to live as he or she desires.

8a) Many members of the Tea Party movement have an entrepreneurial spirit, believing in owning and growing your own business.

8b) Many members of the Occupy Movement also have an entrepreneurial spirit, believing in owning and growing your own business.

9a) The Tea Party believes that the federal government is a major impediment to the growth of small businesses and the local economy.

9b) The Occupy Movement see the actions of the financial elite and the political elite as major impediments to the growth of small businesses and the local economy.

10a) The Tea Party wants the federal government to have tougher law enforcement in certain areas, particularly putting an end to illegal immigration and the violence caused by drug lords.

10b) The Occupy Movement wants tougher law enforcement in certain areas, particularly putting an end to corporate fraud and the large scale theft caused by financial criminals.

11a) The majority of members in the Tea Party Movement preach non-violence.

11b) The majority of members in the Occupy Movement also preach non-violence.

         

Myths and Misunderstandings

In addition to the similarities above, there are additional similarities which are hidden under myths and misunderstandings. When these myths are exposed, we can see that the movements are very similar in the following areas.

Myth 1: “Occupy Movement is violent”

The biggest myth is that the Occupy Movement is violent. The truth is that the great majority of the members in the Occupy Movement preach non-violence, and are very vocal in their disapproval of the vandalism during Occupy protests.

I have also heard from contacts on the streets that most vandals are simply elements of the city itself, those people looking for an excuse to behave badly, and have no connection to the Occupy movement.

Indeed, the majority of members of both the Occupy Movement and the Tea Party believe in peaceful protests without violence or vandalism.

Myth 2: “Occupy Movement has no clear agenda”

Another common myth is that the Occupy Movement has no clear agenda. The truth is that the Occupy Movement does have an agenda. When talking with members of the Occupy Movement, four common goals emerge:

a) Punish the financial elite who have committed crimes.

b) Return all stolen money to proper owners.

c) Prevent anyone from committing similar financial crimes in the future.

d) Remove and replace any government official who contributed to the problem.

So you see, the Occupy Movement does indeed have an agenda, and this agenda could not be more clear. Any difference you might see is only a difference in specifics as how to best achieve those goals.

Also notice that this very similar to the Tea Party Movement. The Tea Party has general goals of smaller government and greater personal freedom, but what does that mean in practical terms? Individuals within the Tea Party movement debate and discuss the specifics of how to achieve those goals. This is very much the same as individuals within the Occupy Movement who debate and discuss the specifics of how to achieve their goals.

Myth 3: “Leaders of the Occupy Movement want to increase the size of the government.”

I have heard this myth several times, and I am not sure why this myth exists. There is absolutely no truth to it. In all my conversations with members of the Occupy Movement not once have I ever heard anyone express the desire to increase the size of the government.

I refer you again to the main goals of the Occupy Movement: punish the financial criminals, return stolen money, prevent future financial crimes, and remove corrupt politicians. Where in any of those goals do you see the desire to increase the size of the government?

These goals may require additional law enforcement personnel in the SEC and FBI, and more laws to prevent further crimes, yet nothing that could be construed as a massive increase in the size of government.

There have also been proposals floating around regarding taxes, such as closing tax loopholes for corporations, or increasing tax rate for financial speculations. Yet neither of those proposals will increase the size or scope of the government.

The members of the Occupy Movement, like the members of the Tea Party Movement, want smaller government. Members of both movements want only the amount of government necessary to ensure justice and protect personal freedom.

Summary

The movements are really very much the same. The people within each movement agree much more than they disagree.

I see no reason why members of one movement should be opposed to the other movement.

Furthermore, it is important that everyone understands how similar their ideas really are. The future of our nation is too important for us to be divided on these major issues. If we are to take back America, if we wish to grow our economy, restore democracy, and regain our liberties, then we must unite our forces.    

Disclaimer

The statements about the members of each movement are generalities, and no statement can apply to every person in the movement.

However, I have communicated frequently with members of each movement, throughout the nation. From my discussions with people in each movement, I have created these statements which represent the most common beliefs of the members in each movement.

Again I repeat: from my discussions with members of each movement, I very much believe that the people in both movements generally want the same things.