Communism, Socialism, and Erudite Millennials

When I grew up my cousins on the Greene Farm, like many people in America, fervently felt that "Commies" were the enemy.  It was surprising to me when we traveled to the farm, because I not yet was old enough to take exception with anyone except the bullies in my neighborhood.  Only now in the last few days have I realized, that I am not an American, or rather I do not share the same life's philosophy of those around me.  Americans seem to worship capitalism as a graven image, and passionately their political sentiment is refusing to recognize a potential danger to their health, or criticizing a pundit for distracting them from their capitalist lives.  Old school railroad workers are like this, or at least the ones I have met.  It is a story right out of Appalachia similar to the Hatfields and the McCoys.  It is frightening this animalistic behavior defending one's property to the death unable to consider rational negotiations. This seems to be the way we are in America.  Americans are so brainwashed with capitalism, the pursuit of money for survival, that nothing else matters.  Each time I point out or complain the art no longer matter, well.  I get it now, the response.  They don't want to hear it.  If you don't fit into that big, mindless, roaming herd, than you are a malcontent.  Fitting into that herd is as paramount as scratching for pennies in the ground.  What is a "Commie" anyway?  It is slang for a Communist, and upon reflection I don't think the citizens of communist countries  have much choice about their socioeconomic systems.  Communism is government by rule, and as Americans we feel it is a threat to our freedom.  If you had met Russian immigrants, say like Irving Berlin, you would see people exactly like us.  They did not have a choice the socioeconomic system into which they were born.  This is why they immigrated to the America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.  This is why many nationalities of American citizens immigrated to the U.S.  We are a country of immigrants, except ironically for our own Native Americans who we abused, murdered, and excluded as savages.  The term "Commies" should be applied to the leaders of these systems, and they are famous.  Never have I understood the impetus for the derogatory connotation of the term "Socialist."  Only now have I come to realize, that no one in America seems to understand it. Instead it is a blind fight of us against the enemy.   We sling the term about mindlessly, as did my cousins on the farm.  It gives them a purpose.  It seems we in America are afraid of something.  I have traveled to many other countries, and none of them are as blindly passionate as Americans.  Americans are selfish.  Socialists are not, because they have been around a long time and understand  camaraderie can be more important than money.  There is a great likelihood many of us never will have money, but that does not mean we cannot live effectively.  In many ways you will live more effectively without money, because you will be forced to realize and understand things which more are important to humankind.  Maslow's hierarchy of needs is telling, but if we travel through his studied continuum we will develop a foundation and understanding of our own existence.  Wealth in America has become problematic.  B-I-N-G!  There it goes again, a sting that those surrounding me in America don't agree.  "Why are you making waves?  Why are you chewing on sour grapes?"  I am not making the point, because I am unhappy or poor.  Neither is true.  I am making the point, because most of those living around me who are not wealthy are unhappy.  Is Capitalism the idea of having to buy one's happiness?  I think not, and America was not begun that way.  While Puritan Americans often perished in the harsh conditions of North America, with their challenges came beauty and spirituality.  These are the things that keep me upright each day.  When I am able to indulge my senses in a positive way, I am at peace.  Unfortunately modern America and the mechanisms that are creating the wealth are infringing upon that freedom.  Each day my sight, sounds, smells, and and tactical feelings are challenged with negative influences.  I have come to understand that many of those around me do not notice.  They are not capable of understanding or perceiving spiritual or physical beauty.  It is not important to them.  What is?  It is like being surrounded by rabid animals or mad cow disease.  There is no rationale.  There is no logic.  Only is there aggression and chaos.  This has begun to affect my own philosophy of life, because I am having to care more about my own wellbeing  than I should.  I do not wake on an even playing field.  It is slanted sharply in many directions, and often I feel the opponent laughing at me before I begin the game.  Then I remember this is what it feels like to be Jesus or a Christian.  I don't know what we have become in America, but although openly we do not decapitate lost sheep we do.  America's capitalism is no different than Extreme Islam.  Each sacrifices its own weakest links in the sake of money and power.  It is gratifying that many important issues affecting the quality of life in America have been dealt with by our president.  Only history will show how effective of a president he has been.  The antithesis to the quality of life in America for those who are not wealthy shout "Socialist" without ever taking the time to understand what it means.  It is apparent to me that America's new pseudonym must be changed from Nottinghamshire to Appalachia.  Our indigenous people are no different than the Viet Cong living in the tunnels of Chu Chi.  We defend our land without an understanding of our own existences.  "Squeal like a pig boy."