Posted by
Ikester on Friday, January 01, 2010 3:15:29 PM
Socialists have been able to persuade themselves and many others that a free economy based on profit embodies and encourages self-interest, which they see as selfish and bad, whereas they claim socialism is based on, and nurtures, altruism and selflessness. This is baseless nonsense in theory and practice. ... For man is a social creature, born into family, clan, community, nation, brought up in mutual dependence. The founders of our religion made this a cornerstone of morality. The admonitions 'Love thy neighbour as thyself' and 'Do as you would be done by' express this. They do not denigrate self, or elevate love of others above it. On the contrary, they see concern for self and responsibility for self as something to be expected, and ask only that this be extended to others.
Socialism's results have ranged between the merely shabby and the truly catastrophic - poverty, strife, oppression and, on the killing fields of communism, the deaths this century of perhaps 100 million people. Against that doctrine was set a contrary, conservative belief in a law-governed liberty. It was this view which triumphed with the crumbling of the Berlin Wall. Since then, the Left has sought rehabilitation by distancing itself from its past.
Even I sometimes find it hard to remember how truly dreadful conditions in socialist Britain were. Inflation then at over 25 per cent; now under three per cent. Top rate income tax then at 83 per cent - 40 per cent now. Nationalised industries then losing £50 million a week; privatised industries now contributing nearly £60 million a week to the Exchequer. Industrial relations transformed. Productivity transformed. Reputation transformed.
Source: Conservativeforum.org
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