Note to everyone: If you're going to crack a paradigm, bring a lunch.

But as I observed, Americans have exercized their freedom to voluntarily adopt other economic systems besides capitalism. It seems that Capitalism, like Communism (both in their capital "C" usage) can't tolerate the existence of a competing system and try to destroy the other. That in itself is a violation of the principle of freedom of choice.

Capitalism and communism are NOT opinions, are simply ways of doing things. They are diametrically opposed concepts over how human beings relate to each other. A system that demands confiscation of another persons wealth, property, or even life, cannot be a moral or legitimate "choice." And someone who attempts to impose such a system on a free people needs to be opposed at all costs.

You CANNOT legitimately "choose" a system that by its very nature demands the enslavement of other people. As Ayn Rand said, you can't have a "right" that involves removing the rights of others. You can't morally vote to enslave blacks. You can't morally vote to remove the Jews from America. In America, thanks to the Constitution, you can't legally do these things either. There are a LOT of things in America not subject to vote, thank God.

Communism makes people into property. I don't care if a billion people voted for it, it wouldn't make it "right." And where the hell did people come up with the idea that if you get enough people to agree to something, that makes it "right?" In some areas, that's called a mob mentality.

Unfortunately, in this country, the concepts of socialism and collectivism have been slowly insinuated into our society until many people are apparently unable to even conceive of doing things any other way. Many of the goals described in the platforms of the Socialist party in the early 20th century are now a way of life in America. Heck, many of the social goals of the Nazi Party in 1922 are now a way of life in America.

The fact that America has remained as free as it has is a testament to how well we can still maintain our prosperity and way of life despite the continuing weights hung around our necks. If our Revolutionary ancestors had been taxed at the rates we are, they would have sailed to England and hung the King themselves. I don't know how much longer this can hold out. The next big test, IMO, is socialized medicine, the prime target for current socialists and liberals. If we get saddled with this, I'm not sure how much will be left of our freedoms in another twenty years.

"The difference between Democrats and Republicans is: Democrats have accepted some ideas of Socialism cheerfully, while Republicans have accepted them reluctantly."

- Norman Thomas, Socialist candidate for president in 1928, quoted in 1962.