A disease is spreading like wildfire in this great county of ours. It is a deadly disease that represses freedom of religion, freedom of speech, even the ownership of private property. Yes, our nation is being devoured from the inside out by the scourge of socialism.
What is socialism? In its most basic form, socialism is a form of government that evenly distributes wealth and possessions. The government redistributes wealth evenly among all people living within its jurisdiction. In theory, this is a great idea. However in practice, it always fails.
Socialism has been a problem in America since the very beginning. The early colonies of Jamestown and Plymouth both conducted socialist experiments, and, as you might expect, both failed miserably. All land and produce was communal property. Under this system there was no incentive to work, build, or prosper. The lazy ones refused to work their share, and productivity ground to a halt. Both colonies finally turned to the Biblical policy of “if any would not work, neither should he eat” (II Thessalonians 3:10). The land was divided into private parcels, and each man was responsible for feeding himself and his family. Under this plan of free enterprise, the colonies prospered.
The closest this country has ever come to a socialist government was the 1933 New Deal. This was the progenitor of many of the issues this country faces today. In the special Congressional session of 1933, two agencies, The National Recovery Administration and Agriculture Adjustment Administration (AAA), were created.
The National Recovery Administration enforced codes of fair practices for industry. These codes set minimum wages and maximum hours, supported unions, set quality standards, and imposed minimum price limits.
The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was created to raise farm prices by placing limits on production. The AAA presented farmers with“benefit payments” if they agreed not to produce as much as they previously had been before the depression. This plan did increase farm income, but critics argued that farmers should not cut food production at a time when people were starving. These agencies are a good example of what can happen in a socialist government. They were a short term solution to the problem, but it soon became clear that they had no place in a free market economy.They were both declared unconstitutional within 5 years of their inception.
The same problems that occurred in those first colonies and during the New Deal exist today. There are market regulations, graduated income taxes, Welfare, Social Security, even a government-sponsored program for a free cell phone! These and various other government agencies and programs are causing a failing economy, as during the depression, an are cultivating the same issues of stagnation that existed in the colonies.
There was once an economics class that insisted a socialist government would work; that no one would be poor and no one would be rich --everyone would be equal. Their professor agreed to conduct an experiment in this class. For the rest of the year all of their grades would be averaged, and everyone would receive the same grade. After the first test the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset, but the lazier students who had studied little were quite pleased. As the second test rolled around, the students who had studied little studied even less, and the ones who had previously studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too...the second test average was a D! This trend continued, and when the scores from the 3rd test were posted, the average was an F! The score never increased as bickering, blame, and name calling all resulted in hard feelings, and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.To their great irritation, the whole class failed! The professor told them that, just like their class, socialism would ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great; but when government takes the reward away; no one will try, or even want, to succeed. Like the class in this illustration, the citizens of a country with a socialist government have no incentive to work! This system wears out the people who are actually willing to work, drains the resources of a country, and is detrimental to the health of a nation and it's people. Taking from the industrious people and giving to those who don’t work, while beneficial for the lazier people, tends to discourage the industrious ones, and will destroy the economy of a nation in the long run.
This problem can be fixed! God never intended for men to live a socialist or unproductive life, and therefore has provided instructions on how to prosper. The Bible says that “They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” (Isaiah 65:22) If men live as faithful Christians, God will not allow others to take freely the fruits of their labors. Likewise, people should not take freely from others, either! Even God worked to create man! Humanity should follow His example, and work for what they have.
In conclusion, I hope that this oratory has persuaded you that socialism is a real, and current, threat to our country. I also trust that it has given you hope for the future. America can only prosper if its people follow the Word of God".
This year ISC was located at the University of Western Kentucky in Bowling Green. We had an awesome week of competitions and the speakers were fantastic! Matthew had a great week placing 1st in Archery and 4th in Bible Memory.
Last week Matthew attended his last (sniff) ACE Regional Student Convention. He qualified to go to Internationals in several events including, Spelling, Checkers, Power Point, Bible Memory ( he got 1st place!) Table Tennis, Photography and Archery ( he was just 5 points shy of the ISC record!) We had an awesome time seeing old friends and making new ones. We are planning to go to Western Kentucky University in May for ISC. We can hardly wait!
William is one crazy cowboy!
Matthew won 1st place in the tennis tournament. 
Matthew read his essay as a Command Performance at the Awards Ceremony. 
