Art Imitating Life
“Higher education often fosters a particular form of stupidity.” Roger Kimball
Jim Carey, who starred in the movie “Dumb and Dumber,” told Bill Maher in 2018 we have to say “yes” to Socialism. But the poor fellow sympathizes Roger Kimball and doesn’t even realize socialism would instantly pauperize Mr. Carey. Talk about dumb and dumber.
There are two absolute fundamentalisms about socialism, observes Mr. Kimball.
- The abolition of private property.
- The equalization of wealth.
The Terminally Naïve
Mr. Carrey’s self-congratulatory naïveté is repeated everywhere these days, continues Mr. Kimball:
It’s an attitude that’s especially prevalent among historically innocent beneficiaries of the free market whose lives have been blissfully untouched by the blunt and unforgiving imperatives of socialist dominance.
Capitalism and the Common Good
In the “Wealth of Nations,” Adam Smith touches upon the seemingly paradox of free markets (aka Capitalism).
The more individuals were left free, Adams noted, the more they were led by a seemingly invisible hand “to promote” ends that aided the common good.
What Is Socialism
In part, Mr. Kimball continues, socialism is one of the great ironies of modern history. Socialism, which promises a more humane, caring, and equitable society, has consistently delivered a more oppressive and mismanaged one.
Mr. Kimball upbraids “It takes a village” as one of the most “nauseating epithets” in recent memory.
We all know that more government intervention and control mean high taxes, greater inefficiency, and economic stagnation.
