In this politically correct age, it is wrong to denounce any idea (that is, any idea besides Christianity, capitalism, or Judeo-Christian ethics). But with President Obama in office, and his (shall we call it as it is?) socialistic policies manifesting, questions rise up faster than even the left would like. I enjoy being honest, and the honest truth is: socialism contains major flaws. It is popular to say that there is nothing wrong with socialism, just as there is 'nothing wrong' with capitalism, or 'nothing wrong' with Communism for that matter, but I will say something extreme: there is.

The first problem with socialism is its appeal to helping people when all it does is essentially make them dependent. FDR's new deal simply made Americans dependent on the government which lead to dependence instead of independence; welfare instead of hard work. Why in the world do people feel like they can sue a restaurant because they spilled their own coffee on themselves? Answer: because they believe they deserve better. The new deal did this to Americans and the effect has been subliminal; we all have traces of it. President Obama's plan is to reinstate this new deal and only make America more dependent. As good as his intentions may be, he misunderstands this: when people are given enough favors without having to work for them, they eventually expect them as rights.

The second problem with socialism is that it ignores human nature. Humans are naturally dark. To say we aren't is to ignore the greatest evils in this world. It cannot be ignored even on the most basic level. Why do we teach children to be good, and why is there no need to teach them to do bad? And why is it necessary to lock our doors, or have a police force?

I lived in Fiji for over a year and learned of the Fijian's socialistic tribal past. It was, as most would agree, socialism in its purest form. Everyone worked together to benefit the tribe. But beyond the work the tribe did, the structure was not socialistic - rather a totalitarian caste system. The Chief ruled the tribe, the priest conducted ceremonies, the warriors fought, and the farmers farmed (as a side note, the women were considered among the lowest of the caste). The structure of their tribes is no coincidence either; the only way to force a group of people to work together is to either present a common goal or to intimidate with fear. Here they had both summed in one word: survival. Does this sound like an ideal place to live?

When listening to the news and hearing about the stimulus package, ask yourself if dependence sounds good. When hearing about giving up a 'piece of your pie' for someone else who doesn't work, look up the definition of indentured servant.