There are many types of socialism. There is Revolutionary Socialism, as the Soviet Union practiced, Democratic Socialism and many others. Socialism is an economic system that can be applied to various types of government. For example, Democratic Socialism can be explained as having a Democratic Government with a Socialist economic system. Some Socialist countries provide free education and universal health care while others do not or only provide basic services. Socialism is founded on the ideal of equality and advocates publicly or collectively owning the means of production and distribution of goods. While many Americans are quick to support Democratic Socialism few consider what it really is, how it is funded, or how it would impact our society.

Socialism is based on public or cooperative ownership usually meaning Government ownership and regulation. Its means and production are for public use and adjusted to satisfy economic demand. Socialism creates an environment where the Government is the provider of goods and services thus resulting in less competition and productivity and produces increased costs. As the cost of the Government controlled services, such as education and health care increase, the taxes to fund these services also increase. Capitalism, which is the economic system used in the United States, is based on private ownership of means and production for private profit. In a Capitalist economy, business owners are free to make decisions, such as adjusting prices and production, as needed. Its benefits include raising living standards and advancing society. It is said to be the most successful economic system in the world, to date.

One of the main sources of income the Government has is in the form of taxes. In order to create entitlement programs and distribute wealth, Democratic Socialist's must first take it from the people in the form of taxes. The only solution is to raise taxes in one form or another. While they say they will tax the rich, taxing 1% of wealthy Americans is not enough. The burden to pay will fall on the working class. Whether it's increased personal taxes or increased corporate taxes that lead to increased cost of goods and higher unemployment rates, the cost will eventually be passed on to the working class.

Communism and Democratic Socialism frighteningly share the same vision for equality. The Soviet Union started as a Socialist country and gradually transformed to Communism. One could say Communism is an extreme form of Socialism. According to Marxist theory Socialism is a transitional state between Capitalism and Communism which is also known as “second stage Socialism.” Socialism creates a dependency on Government and a loss of freedom as the Government takes more control. Communist countries, such as North Korea and the former Soviet Union, have extreme socialist views. In these countries the Government owns the land, homes, businesses, health care and education systems leaving the people with little personal ownership. Citizens are not free to produce products and distribute goods without the Government resulting in a poor economy. The media is often censored and many aspects of life are controlled by the government. Socialism and Communism go against the America dream that with hard work each of us has the opportunity to succeed and make a better life.

Socialism is an economic system that only works in a Utopian society. Since we do not live in an Utopian society, Socialism has no choice but to be flawed and therefore must be enforced by a political system. It is usually based on Government ownership and wealth and creates a reduced incentive among citizens. In an effort to create equality, Socialism destroys the individual's freedoms which is the foundation of the American society. In contrast, Capitalism focuses on each member of society, individually, and creates incentives that in return creates jobs and wealth. During the cold war the United States' Capitalist economy thrived from the production of arms while the Soviet's system could not sustain the economic demands of the arms race and left millions in poverty.
In the upcoming election choose carefully for you may be choosing our country's ideology.