Health Care Reform Bill - Socialism, Communism, Marxism or another ism?

This blog is not going to debate the positives or negatives about the Health Care Reform Bill. I'm not going to give you my views either way (although I'm sure you can figure them out). Instead, this blog is to help educate people and take away their crutch so they have to think for themselves. Once we start thinking for ourselves, we will become a better society.

For the past few months we've heard non-stop news about the anger of people over our Health Care reform. They say that the reform is Socialist, Communist and even Marxist. Before someone just regurgitates what the talking heads on Fox News tell them, they should learn the meaning of the words. If they do, they might be able to articulate their issues and have a decent, civilized conversation about their views.

The big, overarching theme about the Health Care reform is that it's too much government. It's our government telling us what we can and can't do. It's them controlling our health care. Key phrases to remember for the rest of this blog: "too much government" and "controlling our health care."

Now, let's define Marxism, Socialism, and Communism; all of which are a different degree of Socialism.

Marxism is comprised of three main characteristics. First, it requires no government; no controlling body. If something needs to be done, someone or some group steps in (not directed by a controlling government) and does it for the greater good. Secondly, there is no private ownership of anything. If there is something needed, you just take it. Finally, there is no religion in Marxism. Marxists belie that religion was created by the uber rich to keep the masses happy about a meager existence.

Socialism is similar to Marxism for the masses but one big exception: government. There is a government that owns everything while the masses own nothing. Because the masses own nothing, they are expected to do whatever is necessary for the greater good. Socialism is a stepping stone to Marxism because after the masses have been "trained" to do everything for the greater good, the government dissolves and leaves the society in a Marxist state.

Communism was initially Marxism. However, Marxism was a Utopia that could never be achieved and Communism became known as a failed, corrupt, uber-socialist society.

Every Socialist society has some industries that the government has taken from the private sector. Every government (yes, even the US) has some degree of socialism because there are some things that the private sector just can't do.

This blog is not to look at why these societies ultimately fail (think: human nature, corruption and lazy people) but rather why the Health Care Reform cannot be labeled as any of these. Fist, people are saying there is "too much government" in the Bill. If that's the case, it cannot be Marxist because Marxism has no government. Secondly, people are saying that the government is taking over health Care with this Bill. This is false. The government is not controlling the industry, just requiring people to buy something controlled by the private sector. That takes out Socialism and Communism.  Finally, all forms of Socialism would make health care free.  This bill does not make health care free.  We will still be paying our own money to a private insurance company.  Want to know the real, dirty secret that the Republicans aren't telling you? The Health Care Bill is the best thing to happen to Capitalism! Capitalism is defined as a society where the private sector makes money without government interference. So you can't call the Bill Capitalism because government is interfering. But, what is the ultimate goal of a company in a Capitalist society? To have every man, woman and child as your customer so that you can make the most money possible. Isn't that what we've achieved here?

I'm not even aware of a term for a government supplying a private industry with every possible client they can have. But, I can assure you that throwing around terms like Socialism, Communism and Marxism to describe the Health Care Reform Bill will make you look stupid.

Lastly, let's not forget that the government is not taking over health care. They are not providing a "Public Option." Even if they were, that wouldn't be socialism because they aren't taking over the industry but instead, creating competition within the private sector. So please, don't walk around saying that you don't want your health care to be run like the DMV. If anything, read this article about why it would probably be more efficient if it were run like the DMV.


There are volumes of books that make up the definition of the three types of societies I have summurized above. If you are using them to describe the Health Care Reform Bill, you obviously don't read referrences or look up definitions. Instead, you will just take my word for it blindly. But, just in case you've made it this far and want to read more, here are some wikipedia links:
Marxism
Communism
Socialism