Socialism has been a system tried frequently in American history, or so even the “progressive” history books tell us. The general evidence of history is that the overt attempts to force such a system have failed. Tragically.
It being Thanksgiving Day 2025, we can look at one of the earlier attempts, that of the Pilgrims of New England in 1620 and following years. Called the “common course,” those who fled religious persecution and sought opportunity in the new Plymouth colony tried socialism in what would be recognized as almost classic Marxism two centuries later. It failed, and as a result, many died. And it was abandoned. Richard Ebeling writes an excellent article about it at the Future of Freedom Foundation.
AmerInd nations, at various times and locations, tried it on their own. And for more than one and a half centuries, the FedGov (courtesy of the BIA and IHS) have imposed a version of socialism on the various reservations, under the guise of “treaty rights.” Objective observers conclude it has failed.
Various religious communities and sects have also implemented socialist schemes in communes and through other efforts and locations. Few of those survived even a few years; those that have survived and even thrived did so by abandoning the fundamentals of socialism.
In 2025, the election of various self-proclaimed socialists and communists, and the continued presence of the same in Congress, many State legislatures, and even more local government councils alarms many people.
As well it should.
Socialism is defined (Encyclopedia Britannica) as: “Socialism is a form of government in which most forms of property, including at least the major means of production and natural resources, are owned or controlled by the state.” Its alternative is, of course, ownership and control of property, means of production, and natural resources by private persons.
(We are working towards weaning ourselves away from using “capitalism” since that term was invented by the esteemed monster Karl Marx.)
The rejection of private ownership and control (that is, economic liberty and free markets) is a definite threat to peace and prosperity, both at home and abroad. And a shortcut to the rejection and loss of personal liberty as well. (If rejecting personal liberties is not an integral part of embracing socialism in general. We know that there are many “social democrats” and “democratic socialists” – at least those who claim to be. But the validity of their democracy, much less their adherence to ideals of republics, is suspect.
Socialism is based on the enforcement (by initiating force and the threat of force) of the concept of “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” This, of course, means government control. Although initially “community-based,” the decision-making is quickly centralized in the community. And with that centralized control comes corruption, violence, and inefficiency. And shortages of essential goods and services.
Government has attempted, at the federal and State levels, to implement various facets of socialism. Again, these have generally failed, although the failures have often been hidden and their impact mitigated by the remarkable ingenuity of Americans.
But the truth? We already have (and suffer from) many elements of socialism in the Fifty States. Among them:
- National forests, grasslands, and other productive land owned and controled by government (such as USFS, NPS, and of course, the Bureau of Land Management).
- The Social Security system itself – staggering along for 90+ years.
- Medicare – the evil sequel to the propped-up, harmful SS system.
- Medicaid – The abused and even more pitiful sister of Medicare.
- The public (government-run, tax-funded/government-ruined, theft-funded) school system – bad enough when it was just local and State governments running and ruining it, but horribly worse when the FedGov got involved.
- Public housing.
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: food stamps) might be considered a form of control.
In addition, the huge regulatory apparatus of the fedgov, state, tribal, and local government itself exercises an incredible amount of control of property and the means of production.
Bad as expanding the scope of socialism practiced in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Chicago, and elsewhere is, we must recognize that these States no longer have free markets. No longer really have economic liberty. No longer enjoy the opportunities and significant benefits (prosperity, progress, and more) of free markets, entrepreneurship, private ownership and control of property.
In fact, we might argue that the States are indeed already socialist in our economic system: the state (the government) does not allow free markets – and constantly takes more and more control of production, distribution, and consumption.
About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.
The Price of Liberty 
The threat of socialism in these States
Socialism has been a system tried frequently in American history, or so even the “progressive” history books tell us. The general evidence of history is that the overt attempts to force such a system have failed. Tragically.
It being Thanksgiving Day 2025, we can look at one of the earlier attempts, that of the Pilgrims of New England in 1620 and following years. Called the “common course,” those who fled religious persecution and sought opportunity in the new Plymouth colony tried socialism in what would be recognized as almost classic Marxism two centuries later. It failed, and as a result, many died. And it was abandoned. Richard Ebeling writes an excellent article about it at the Future of Freedom Foundation.
AmerInd nations, at various times and locations, tried it on their own. And for more than one and a half centuries, the FedGov (courtesy of the BIA and IHS) have imposed a version of socialism on the various reservations, under the guise of “treaty rights.” Objective observers conclude it has failed.
Various religious communities and sects have also implemented socialist schemes in communes and through other efforts and locations. Few of those survived even a few years; those that have survived and even thrived did so by abandoning the fundamentals of socialism.
In 2025, the election of various self-proclaimed socialists and communists, and the continued presence of the same in Congress, many State legislatures, and even more local government councils alarms many people.
As well it should.
Socialism is defined (Encyclopedia Britannica) as: “Socialism is a form of government in which most forms of property, including at least the major means of production and natural resources, are owned or controlled by the state.” Its alternative is, of course, ownership and control of property, means of production, and natural resources by private persons.
(We are working towards weaning ourselves away from using “capitalism” since that term was invented by the esteemed monster Karl Marx.)
The rejection of private ownership and control (that is, economic liberty and free markets) is a definite threat to peace and prosperity, both at home and abroad. And a shortcut to the rejection and loss of personal liberty as well. (If rejecting personal liberties is not an integral part of embracing socialism in general. We know that there are many “social democrats” and “democratic socialists” – at least those who claim to be. But the validity of their democracy, much less their adherence to ideals of republics, is suspect.
Socialism is based on the enforcement (by initiating force and the threat of force) of the concept of “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” This, of course, means government control. Although initially “community-based,” the decision-making is quickly centralized in the community. And with that centralized control comes corruption, violence, and inefficiency. And shortages of essential goods and services.
Government has attempted, at the federal and State levels, to implement various facets of socialism. Again, these have generally failed, although the failures have often been hidden and their impact mitigated by the remarkable ingenuity of Americans.
But the truth? We already have (and suffer from) many elements of socialism in the Fifty States. Among them:
In addition, the huge regulatory apparatus of the fedgov, state, tribal, and local government itself exercises an incredible amount of control of property and the means of production.
Bad as expanding the scope of socialism practiced in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Chicago, and elsewhere is, we must recognize that these States no longer have free markets. No longer really have economic liberty. No longer enjoy the opportunities and significant benefits (prosperity, progress, and more) of free markets, entrepreneurship, private ownership and control of property.
In fact, we might argue that the States are indeed already socialist in our economic system: the state (the government) does not allow free markets – and constantly takes more and more control of production, distribution, and consumption.
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About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.