Why I’m a socialist

Comment: why I’m a socialist

Michael Hancock

In schools we are taught to share, respect each other and work together. This made sense. We got more done than we would have separately, giving us more time to enjoy ourselves.

This is discarded once we leave and enter the ruthless system of capitalism. It promotes self-service and greed, slowing or even reversing the progress of society. Capitalism forces us to battle each other. Research is duplicated many times instead of being shared and benefiting all.

With public services gone or under threat some people will not be able to survive. The young, old and disabled bear the brunt of the capitalist crusades. I fear for my parents’ future, and my own, and that of other family members. Will we have enough to live on at pension age?

Wrong

I have always had this feeling that something was wrong. I could never see income inequality as justifiable when people have nothing. I hear the argument that people have ‘worked’ hard for their money, or taken ‘risks’, and deserve to be rewarded. But you can’t possibly evidence that bosses work hundreds of times harder than their workers.

These mass wealth accumulators should be treated like any other hoarders. They need help to rid them – and us – of this burden! To work together is the best possible way to achieve. It is used under capitalism in smaller groups, within competing companies. But workers do not reap the benefits, business owners and shareholders profit from the work of others.

The fact that there is a need for charity to cover gaps in the state is evidence enough that the current system is not fit for the needs of the people.

That is why I became a socialist. To ensure people are not discarded. So we can all contribute to society without being valued for our ability to generate profits for somebody else.