In the US ‘socialism’ is a very dirty word.

What’s in the word, huh? Last week I heard an American man say on television – on the Iowan caucus of Republican presidential candidates – that he hoped that his country would not continue with a socialist government. This 86-years-old Second World war veteran said: ‘Today people will come out and show that they’re interested in a decent government. I’m hopeful that we will be able to change the direction of this country because I think it is moving in the direction of socialism.’

Socialism. It is so often a dirty word in the States. Especially Republicans can’t bear the word. They almost start vomiting when hearing it. Unfortunately I couldn’t ask the old man why he was so afraid that socialists couldn’t do any good in his country. But I believe I can guess: it has to do with too much governmental influence. Many Americans don’t want any involvement in their individual businesses and lives. Exemplary for this governmental allergy is the aversion of taxes. They are convinced that their country can be ruled without any common causes and nobody needs to pay for those causes. Just work hard and believe in the American dream and all will get well.

Bridges and roads will be built, national parks will be maintained and education will get to a very high level of quality without any governmental financing. No, we don’t need government. And you know what? Poor people get poor because of their lazy attitude; it’s simply their own fault.

I don’t think that many Americans understand terms like ‘social compassion, a longterm vision, patience or a compromising policy’. Coalitions? Never heard of. For centuries the States have a billion dollars costing election between Democrats and Republicans. Other ideologies can’t get any lasting and influential party off the ground. A side-effect is that loads of money are being waisted and can’t be spent on other necessary causes…

It is very doubtful whether the States will keep up with such a capitalistic and egotistic mentality. The country is bankrupt and there are places we could not distinguish from developing countries. People still think that capitalism is the answer. The current president has tried to introduce a bit of social values and is seen as a betrayer. How can you, Mr Obama, ever protect people for high medical expenses? They simply should not become ill, it’s their own fault!

If people would be all perfect and equal in their ability to grow, a capitalistic world would work. But we all know that there will always be persons who need extra care and support or a safety net that catches them when necessary. Not everybody can keep up with the killing pace of the capitalist world.

When I looked at the definitions of socialism on Wikipedia my eye was caught by a quote of Albert Einstein:

“I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate (the) grave evils (of capitalism), namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals. In such an economy, the means of production are owned by society itself and are utilized in a planned fashion. A planned economy, which adjusts production to the needs of the community, would distribute the work to be done among all those able to work and would guarantee a livelihood to every man, woman, and child. The education of the individual, in addition to promoting his own innate abilities, would attempt to develop in him a sense of responsibility for his fellow-men in place of the glorification of power and success in our present society.”

— Albert Einstein, Why Socialism?, 1949

This man did not only bring forth extraordinary theories, he was at that time – the forties! – quite able to grasp the possible negative impact of the individualistic and capitalist world. Of course his ideas tended toward communism, an ideology in which societies share everything. But he used the word ‘socialism’ and not ‘communism’. He did see that individual growth, entrepreneurial skills and opportunities for all were important as well. If only Americans would be a bit more subtle about the word ‘socialism’ and putting a combination of ideologies into practice it could just help them in their struggle to recuperate their bankrupt country.

But who am I to suggest this, huh?

And who is Mr Einstein actually? Oh, just an old man with ancient ideas…