Back in 1982, I was an actively precocious sophomore at the Latin School of Chicago. Latin has something called Project Week, where students take a week out of the busy school year, go off campus, and spend time doing something completely different hopefully learning from the experience.
One of the trips offered during Project Week is one to Russia where you visit Moscow and Leningrad. I did this back in 1982 before Russia became a wannabe Democracy.
So we hopped on a plane to JFK, another one to Finland, and then an Aeroflot Jet to Moscow. After twenty-four hours of miserable planes and airports, a Red Army soldier holding a Kalashnikov greeted us on the tarmac as we deplaned.
These Communists weren’t playing games.
Going through customs was quite an experience. Another Red Army soldier stared you down as if you were there to commit espionage.
We’d been told to expect this. So I stared right back at him for a couple of minutes until he stamped my passport and visa, allowing me entrance.
We toured Red Square, Lenin’s Tomb, and GUM, the largest Department Store in the world, which is kitty-corner to the square.
As you walk through GUM, you see endless lines winding down five flights of stairs then traveling several more blocks through the store and out into the square. Muscovites, or those who live in Moscow, would routinely spend thirteen to fifteen hours standing in these lines not knowing what they would receive at the other end.
Imagine a grown man spending fifteen hours in line just to get pantyhose or tampons? Further imagine being excited to get them so that you could trade for something else that you actually needed.
Such is the fate of those living under Socialism’s failed economic system.
We were given Tourist Cards that allowed us entrance into the Tourist Hotels. These cards were highly sought after and routinely stolen because tourist hotels had gift shops filled to the brim with items that normal Muscovites could only dream of accessing.
The Communists were trying to present a public face by having these gift shops filled with goods. The common everyday reality of life under Socialism is one where no one gets everything they need, let alone want
Socialism unlike Capitalism is by definition an inefficient economic system. Whenever a government gives something to a person that they haven’t earned, one of two bad outcomes must occur.
First, the government will take it from someone who earned it. When this happens, the person who earned it has a disincentive to continue earning.
This is detrimental to any economic system because that earner will likely leave sooner or later. The only remaining element is the citizen who takes rather than earns which only hurts the system.
Or Second, the government needs to print additional money to pay for that gift. This devalues the government’s currency, which is also bad.
I present these facts to you given the history of Socialism, which has failed every country that has ever made this fatal mistake. Russia, Cuba, and most recently even Sweden have all learned from this mistake.
Let me leave you with this…
When I look at the forces of Socialism now prevalent in our Democracy, I ask a basic question which is, “How can so many ignore the lessons of history?” Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
These Socialist forces seem to be everywhere simultaneously. Bernie Sanders, AOC, Mamdani in New York, and many of our local politicians espouse the benefits of Socialism.
And so many of our citizens actually believe these lies.
We live in a country where 40% of all Americans pay no income tax and the top 25% of earners pay 87.2% of the country’s total bills. Go ahead and tell me that this “Progressive” income tax system isn’t already Socialist in nature.
And so many think that even this isn’t enough. Legislators are currently pushing tax bills that would make us pay even more.
This coming Monday is Memorial Day, a time to solemnly remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Republic. And how will you remember those who served?
I’ll remember my Father and Uncles who served during Vietnam. I thank God that they all made it home.
I’ll also remember my Great, Great, Great Grandfather Ransom Knight, a freed slave from North Carolina who fought for the Union in our Civil War. Ransom never made it home, dying on a battlefield, leaving a wife a nine children.
And what did he die for? Socialism?
As Entrepreneurs, we’re all leaders in our prospective communities. People look to us for governance, stewardship, direction, and opinion.
And how will you use that leadership position this Memorial Day?
Will you espouse the benefits of Socialism by saying that the government’s job is to give more to everyone? Or will you honor the sacrifice of the millions of soldiers who died on battlefields to create the freedoms you now enjoy?
Do you really think that Ransom Knight gave his life so that America could become Russia, Cuba, or even Sweden during their Socialist Days?
Take a minute and think about spending fifteen hours in line just to get a couple of pairs of pantyhose. When we got back to O’Hare from that trip to Russia, I kissed the ground.
That was the day I fell in love with America.
Spend some time this Memorial Day honoring the lives of those who’ve been lost by leading your employees, your friends, your communities, and especially your family in the right direction. Although America has problems, it’s still the greatest country on the planet.
May God bless you, your families, your companies, and the United States of America.
As always, if you’re having problems with your accounting and tax work, I’m waiting for your call.
We’re all going to get through this. Let’s get through it together…
Accounting Solutions Ltd. stands ready to complete our mission and purpose of protecting you, your family, and your business. Whether you need Payroll Services, or Accounting and Tax Work, you have but to ask. I’m here and I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Chris Amundson
President
Accounting Solutions Ltd.
773-267-7500
888-310-0300
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