My run in with the "Socialist Workers Party"
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Posted: 09/10/08
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My run in with the "Socialist Workers Party"
In the position of Senior Pastor that I hold it can be emotionally draining. The reason for this is simple. Those of us who are calle d into ministry, particularly pastoral ministry, are dealing with many difficulties in the lives of people. From deaths in families to marital problems to a whole host of other issues that happen in this fallen world we all live in, coupled with the social and=2 0political battles I fight. It is this reason that the elders of my church expressed to me that they wanted me to have a break every August to relax, and get my mind off of ministry, social and political policy. So for the last number of years I have been doing so.
It was on my last break that I went on a motorcycle trip with one of my brothers and one of my assistant pastors. We went on a beautiful trip through the Berkshires in Massachusetts. Two beautiful sunny days with views that reminded me of the glory of the creator. There I was riding along with a smile on my face. It was truly beautiful scenery, and spending time with a few of my favorite people was just great. We decided to go to a town we know where they have great ice cream. We rode there and parked our motorcycles and all was well…well until the following happened:
As we were walking through the town we walked by a table with=2 0a number of people in their 20's behind it along with a guy in his 50's. They spoke to us and attempted to20give us literature about the party that they were involved with; The "Socialist Workers Party."…. Well there goes the relaxationA 6.I began to express to them that I am not a socialist nor do I ascribe to their failed views. The older guy got very angry and demanded that I leave. At that point I expressed to him that I would not leave and furthermore that I had as much right to the public sidewalk as he did. It escalated and I explained that free speech is not only for him. I along with my brother and assistant pastor began to engage them in debate about the virtues of freedom, and free enterprise.
It quickly became very clear to me that they had absolutely no understanding about economics, free markets, work ethics, productivity, business, incentives, the real world or human nature. The following were some of their main points to me;
"There should be no profit in business."The workers should decide what they are paid and how much the product should sell for." "Profit motives lead to low quality." "The government should heavily regulate business." " A forced living wage should be paid to all workers."
When I explained to them how markets work, and how business works they were unable to express to me why they thought that socialism would work. All they could say was that "Exxon Mobile had record profits." When I asked what that had to do with my points about the failure of socialism, and how markets worked they said "What about George Bush". When I p ressed them again to defend their positions with facts, they then called me names. This of course is typical of those who are moved by their jealousy and emotions. They made no real20economic argument at all. They simply engaged in name calling and the ignorant idea that socialism with no profits would not only work, but "increase productivity, and quality." It was an excellent example of what they had been taught by their liberal professors in college.
Let's look at their positions;
"There should be no profits in business." The obvious question would be why would anyone invest in starting a business if there would be no profits? How would you get capital to start, and grow a business with no incentives of return on investment?
"The workers should say what they are paid and what the product should sell for." Just how would the workers know what they should be paid, and what would determine the price? Would setting an arbitrary price be enough to get people to buy the product?
"Profit motives lead to low quality." How would having no incentive, no market forces, and guaranteed pay for substandard work lead to high quality?
"The government should heavily regulate all businesses." Why would you want the government to heavily regulate busine ss when it can't even regulate itself?
When I posed all these questions to them and gave examples of the failure of their thinking, they literally answered by saying "Well then, we could build schools."….huh?... What simply blows my mind is how ignorant these people were about real life, work, and history.
The fact of the matter is that it is investment with return that motivates production and productivity. It is laws suc h as supply and demand, and what the market will bear that regulate pricing. It is profit potential that motivates innovation and competition which creates high quality in order to gain market share. It is the government that has proven itself to be of the most inept and inefficient. And again please see my article on the absurd idea called "living wage legislation."
I really was trying to get away from it all and ride my motorcycle to get some ice cream…well no matter where I go it seems that this stuff follows me. To be honest, I just could not walk by without challenging the "Socialist Workers Party" nonsense. It was clear that none of them had ever been challenged with logic. When they were, they simply had nothing to say accept Exxon Mobile and George Bush are the fault of everything. Everyone knows that I am no fan of George Bush but give me a break. Socialism is a disaster, and truthfully all Marxism leads to one thing; TYRANNY!
Dr. David M. Berman
Senior Pastor, Author, Convention Speaker
211 Whitcomb Road
P.O. Box 10357
Swanzey, NH. 03446
Phone 603 352 9471
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