Red Scare Again?

With all of the discourse coming from Washington government officials, namely Speaker Johnson and the President, regarding how Communism and Communists are infiltrating the political arena in our nation, I thought it might be to the advantage of many to understand what our government officials are stating.  With that, let me offer some insight into the different types of economic systems and government systems that are being a new political thought as our elected officials suggest.

First and foremost, it must be understood economic and government systems are “separate” entities that are inextricably linked together.
 
Communism is an ECONOMIC system that requires the government to own ALL OF THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION.  The individual has little to no choice of what to purchase, where to work, where to live, or in what to invest.  Communism allows for very little free enterprise if any (think black market).  The government makes those choices for the benefit of the “group”.  The government system that is associated with Communism is a TOTALITARIAN government, meaning, the government controls all that happens.  The totalitarian government allows only party members to participate in the functions of government. 
 
Socialism is an ECONOMIC system that requires the government to own ONLY THOSE means of production that are of vital interest to the nation.  In a Socialist economic system, the individual may own private property, purchase what they wish (as long as it isn’t of vital interest), live where they wish and invest how they wish, (once again, as long as it isn’t of vital interest).  The government most associated with Socialism, is a totalitarian government, but, a Socialist economic system DOES NOT REQUIRE  a totalitarian government is in place.  The government of a socialist country could be elected officials by the voters of the country (not just certain party members), it could be a constitutional monarchy, it could be a democratic state.

Capitalism is an ECONOMIC system that requires no intervention by the government in ownership of the means of production.  In a Capitalist nation, the individual (consumer) has the freedom to live where they so desire, work where they wish, purchase what they wish and invest in the company of their choice.  Obviously, Capitalism isn’t associated with a totalitarian government, but instead, a government that allows the individual to participate in the daily actions of the government.  We refer to that as a DEMOCRACY. 
 
With the accusations levied by the President and the Speaker, is it fathomable to believe our nation of people would allow a totalitarian government to exist within our borders?  The response from the President and Speaker may very well be, “This is how it starts!”.  I suppose there is historical evidence for this to be true…just examine the rise and fall of the Third Reich under Adolph Hitler and one would understand how this may happen.

I would point out that ALL FORMS of government have three branches of government; executive, legislative, and judicial.  The difference between governments is how this is approached.  If a national government permits only those in a specific political party to vote and to occupy government positions, the probability of discourse opposed to the leadership is next to zero.  In other words, in a totalitarian government, if there is a disagreement with leadership, the disagreement and person no longer exist.  In a government that allows qualified voters to participate, there will be disagreement with the leadership, (it is called “loyal opposition”) and those who disagree have the right to do so without harm or censorship.  (However, do not yell “Fire” in a crowded room…you will be tried and convicted for endangering life)

So then, what would it take for Communism and a totalitarian government to exist here in the United States?  There would be a need to consolidate the power and authority of the government to a central figure…like a President.  It would take the central figure to ignore the legislative branch and govern by royal edict, or in our world, by Executive Order.  It would take the central figure to ignore judicial rulings.  It would take the Congress in total, to not execute their duty of checks and balances on the other branches of government, (like impeachment) but, instead prove loyalty to the central figure, in our case the President.  It would take the judiciary to agree with the central figure with his actions.

Could this happen here in the United States?

Certainly, the scare tactics of the party in control are at work.  And as I previously referenced the Third Reich, the leadership of that country singled out a group of people and claimed they were the root cause of Germany’s problem.  The Brown Shirts and SS roamed the countryside identifying those “unpatriotic” to the cause.
  
Our leadership has called many of our government leaders as well as military leaders as “weak”, “treasonous”, “unpatriotic”.  Why?

I would hate to believe what I am witnessing is the beginning of the end of our nation.  But…

What is your opinion?