When self-professed “democratic socialists” like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders or New York congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez try to justify their beliefs, they usually ask you to simply look across the pond for all the success stories you’ll ever need.
Countries like Norway and Denmark, we are told, are prefect examples of socialism, and therefore America should do everything it can to emulate their models. There are several massive problems with this.
First, it’s worth noting that most of the economic gains made by those countries occurred after each of those states have scaled back their social programs. Second, both countries have homogenous cultures, which have been shown to improve economic cohesion and standards of living no matter where you find it. Third, leaders of these countries vehemently denounce the socialist label, correctly pointing out that every European country has a market economy.
Naturally, examples like Castro’s Cuba or Maduro’s Venezuela go completely unmentioned. Also, former states like the Soviet Union seemed to have completely vanished from memory. This isn’t exactly an accident. Every instance where socialism was implemented faithfully has resulted in mass starvation, political corruption, and economic downfall.
But, don’t let facts get in the way of your virtue signaling…
~ Facts Not Memes
