Socialism is attractive. It promises a more equalized society while still retaining private ownership. It
promises to eliminate homelessness and significantly raise the poverty level. It promises to almost
eradicate joblessness and bring a significant boost to the economy. My problem is these are all empty
promises.

I’m not a politician or an economist, but I can read the history books. The world is filled with examples
of failed socialist experiments. At the top of the list would be: Cuba, North Korea, China, Russia and
Vietnam. Socialism promises the moon but can’t deliver because it requires the moon to run. Let me
explain. Without never-ending bank accounts, socialism flops. The offer sounds great, but in the end, it
is always empty. Again, why does this bother me? I’m not on the Wall Street floor. I live in a small town,
occupy a small office and, in the grand scheme of things, lead in a small way. Why do I care whether our
country is run by socialist policies? I care because socialism kills.

Socialism and its cousin communism both assume that in tightly controlled societies, the good will
prevail. They assume that the government will always be primarily benevolent and compassionate. They
believe the world functions best in a Petrie dish, like a lab experiment, and as long as they can control
the elements, they can achieve the outcome they desire. The fundamental problem with this theory is
people. We aren’t designed to grow in a Petrie dish. People will never function well in environments
where control is high and creativity is low. Are people trying to leave the US for Cuba or Russia? No. The
opposite is true. People thrive in a free market, under democratic policies; places where rights are
celebrated and beliefs are protected.

Socialism and Communism both assume the role of God. Neither function well as long as the Church is
thriving. They don’t like the idea of people listening to any other source but their own. And so, in
countries where oppressive policies are in place, the Church either goes underground or shrivels to a
fraction of its former state. In their minds, God is a loose end and Christians are the worst examples of
this. Why do China and Russia hate the Church so much? Because Christians represent all they say is
impossible apart from the government. Christians are free, no matter the constraints they are placed
under. Put them in jail? They are happy. Take their jobs away? They are happy. Tell them not to read the
Bible? They read, study, pray and sing the Bible. Take their Bibles away? They smuggle millions more in.
Christianity is not a government policy that changes when a new regime takes over. Christians have new
hearts and new minds that can’t be easily duped, tricked or washed. They are willing to defend the life
God has given them to the point of death, because they are promised life that never ends.

At the outset, socialism represents greed. Its language is “Free, free, free!” But its motives aren’t pure. It
seeks total control. Anyone who says otherwise need look no further than Mao Tse Tung, Castro or
Lenin. Capitalism and democracy, on the other hand, thrive in an environment where the individual rises
or falls entirely on his own will and stamina. It comes with its own set of risks, too. People can get too
loud. Dangerous things can be said. Bankruptcy is possible. Failure is always lurking just around the
corner. But people thrive in these circumstances. When we are given the tools, the training and the
resources and told to “Build!”, we can build! When we are presented with land, seed and equipment,
we can feed a nation! And when we are given the choice to believe, billions of people throughout
history have chosen to believe in God. From the hands, hearts and minds of these sturdy individuals
have come some of the best literature, architecture, music, art and scientific breakthroughs the world
has ever seen. A government that frees people to choose and create for themselves will always be
stronger and better equipped for tomorrow. A government that chooses for the people will always cast
a dark shadow over them, stifling their God-given ability and future. As a Christian and an American, I
will never choose socialism.