Supply and Demand

In my Twentieth Century Socialism bible, it says that you cannot mix capitalism with socialism, that one must replace the other but you 'cannot mix the two'. I think that that sounds like a peachy cocktail, the 'Colism'...  This delicious new cocktail, (which I now have total copy rights too), should be made with Tonic, Rum, some Lime, Lemonade and a Splash of red somewhere (to make it a socialist drink). fine it is a Mohito (minus the red), but I really cant think of another cocktail that combines the deliciousness of everything alcoholic into one refreshing drink. Perhaps this is besides the point. But what I am saying is that by taking the best from each polar opposites  would be an idea. The free market of capitalism with the equality of socialism

I think that I have found my first problem with Socialism; the book asks: 'was there really no spur to effort and material progress other than the lure of personal gain?' Well the answer to that is no. We are programmed to be competitive to strive to better our selves, reach further and gain more. Otherwise what is the point of getting out of bed in the morning? Certainly not to do that magazine article to the same standard as yesterday, or to help those people in the same way. 'Personal gain' is not necessarily money, it is also to better your self. Without competition within yourself there will be no development...EVER. I agree with socialists that there should be other reasons for development, such as the wider community, but if you don't better yourself then how can you even begin to better or help others, least of all an economy. We need  a medal at the end of it. I want the carrot.

Maybe I can't become a Socialist, maybe I am already a slave to Capitalism and Materialism, there is no way out. No Harry Potter to save me ( in this analogy I am Dobby the House Elf).... Dad save me please.

Mother's Day, Materialism at its height.

Today, Mother's day, is an opportunity for someone to make a Capitalist profit on guilty children who have not seen their mothers in weeks, or kids who never wash up. Well, seeing as I am not yet completely Socialist I obviously had to buy something for my mother and coincidentally my grandmother. She is slightly deaf and calls me saying; (scratch that, I have to call her) 'Zoe... It has been weeks since you rang me'. My answer, as always is, 'Well, you could always ring me'

'But that is not my job; the grandchild should ring their grandmothers. All my friends’ children do....' and so it goes on. Well the guilt has been etched into my psyche for years, always heightened by friends telling me they have handmade special cards with funny pictures of their childhoods, for their mothers. To be honest, who has the time? 

Anyway, it has occurred to me that the state has drilled in these expectations into the general public so they can tax us on the £3 cards and £15 flowers that we feel obliged to buy. But let’s not forget that Mother's day is actually not a holiday, it is a Hallmark holiday, a holiday created by advertisement and card sellers, with catchy phrases like 'I love you mum'. REALLY? Do I need to buy a card saying that? I could do that for free... or make a card... but no bleeding way, am I four?

It is inescapable, this materialism and Capitalism. Furthermore, what about those people who aren't mothers, what do they do? Feel guilty about not having children, because that is what is expected of women, to produce babies and populate this world. 

Wow, I never knew I was a ranter. It’s nice to be surprised by one’s self. I didn't have time to read any more of my Socialist book today, too busy making polite remarks at my grandmother who didn't hear them anyway.  

But I will continue tomorrow in my quest to become Socialist, watch out inequality... love you Dad.

Sorry Dad, but I want to become a Socialist

I come from a mostly Conservative (not so much at the moment), capitalist family, I lead a material life. I thought yesterday; ‘what is the complete antithesis of my life?’, and the answer came to me like a light bulb in a cartoon. Granted I have actually been writing an essay on materialism vs. idealism, but I still think the light bulb analogy is valid.

Anyway  my new plan is to become a ‘Socialist’.I decided that I needed to really scrub up on Socialism, so I went to a second hand book store and picked up a penguin special Twentieth Century Socialism published in 1956. To be honest, it had more to do with the fact that I love old books and the way they make you feel like you are picking up a piece of history or someone’s life in your hands.(I also got some Hardy books published in 1920, which make me feel like I am living in the 20s or in a film).

So I began my quest to find my Socialist calling. I told everyone my plan, including the lady in the book shop, who looked quite bemused and I think was trying to hide her smirk- well she wasn't hiding it very well. At least she did better than the friend I was with, who almost collapsed in laughter. Perhaps I said it with a pinch of sarcasm… but really I have to stop getting side tracked… my serious desire to become a socialist…

 I read the first passage of the Twentieth Century Socialism. I think that some of the overall concepts it was trying to tell me is of equality rather than uniformity, all rather enlightening. The book blames capitalism for unifying us and making us sheep to materialism, which is ironic considering that we see Socialism and Marxism as doing exactly that.

So that is my first thought of Socialism. Equality not Uniformity.It is really quite exciting, I seriously am on my way to becoming a good little Socialist… sorry Dad.