Below is Fp leader Robert Metz's criticism of the pro- (state-administered) racism, anticapitalist remarks made by MP Howard McCurdy at the University of Western Ontario. Metz's identification of the essentials of the issue led to a brief debate in the editorial pages of the London Free Press.
NDP MP Howard McCurdy is looking at the symptoms of his own philosophy when he blames "racism" (which he admits he as a black, has never experienced in the London area) on a "shift to the right" (Free Press, Nov. 14).
Indeed, in light of the recent majority election of the provincial New Democrats (combined with the popularity of the federal NDP), to suggest that Canada is experiencing a "shift to the right" is so ludicrous as to defy all logic and reason. McCurdy identifies what he calls the "new right" as being "characterized by the lack of commitment to equality," as an expression of the "me" syndrome. Really? If "equality" is an issue to McCurdy, then his party is the worst offender towards its destruction. To socialists like McCurdy, "equality" does not mean (as is the case in free, capitalist societies) "equality before the law," but rather its precise opposite: equality of result.
It means that those who work hard, take risks, and produce the goods, services, and products upon which a society's survival depends, must be punished to the degree of their success, while those who have taken no part in this process (for whatever reason) are to be rewarded by "sharing" in the products they had no part in creating. If the increasing resentment people are beginning to experience at being taxed to death by politicians like McCurdy is to be regarded as "selfishness" (i.e. the "me" syndrome), then let me respond by saying that I can personally think of no more selfish philosophy than the egalitarian philosophy of socialism.
True selfishness, the type that is harmful to any society, is reflected in the desire to live at other people's expense against their will (the very essence of socialism). Selfishness, above all. reflects a desire for the unearned. In a socialist country, you don't work for your living. you vote for it.
Racism, like all evil variants of collectivism (including socialism, fascism, communism), is an entirely political phenomenon which should not be confused with simple prejudice. Racism occurs when governments enact legislation to favor or discriminate against any individual on the basis of his or her color or race. This is the process that causes racism, and it is the process defended by socialists everywhere.
The problem in Canada with minorities occurs not when they are being treated as equals (as they usually are), but when equal treatment does not suit them and they demand special treatment from political powers. Thus we have RCMP officers wearing turbans, the forced subsidization of French by people of every other nationality, and increasing calls by more minority groups asking for the same kinds of privileges.
This is the breeding ground for racism; it will never end unless we discard collectivist notions entirely.
In his letter Philosophy of socialism real reflection of selfishness (Free Press. Nov. 29), Robert Metz is guilty of the very actions that he is railing against.
Blaming socialism for the injustice of racism is both irresponsible and ignorant and serves to highlight the flaws of his own philosophy. Contrary to Metz's views, socialism works toward the equality of opportunity and lessening the vast disparities that exist in the world. Inequities are inherent in capitalism, the system that Metz glorifies.
An elitist structure is promoted by the drive to concentrate wealth in the hands of the privileged few. The lack of social and economic justice in capitalism is further corroborated by the intolerance shown toward minorities that limit the opportunity to achieve similar ends. By being continually shut out of the mainstream, it is impossible to achieve parallel success. Only by intervention designed to allow minorities this chance of equal opportunity will there be the potential to eliminate racism.
Metz feels socialism is selfish, but I sincerely hope he sees more to the value of life than the purely economic incentives. When one is successful, one is not "punished" by helping others. Rather, it is a moral and ethical obligation, and reward, to share your wealth with others who have been less fortunate. Metz calls this selfish. Excuse me, but it seems to be the opposite. Capitalism is selfish by definition in its individualistic goals and criteria for success.
As to the statement that "racism . . . is an entirely political phenomenon," I again fail to see the logic. Racism extends beyond simple bias and prejudice. It is also the blatant belief of superiority of racial groups and is shown in everything from subtle racial slurs and jokes to formal supremacist theories.
This intolerance of minorities is the basic foundation of racist beliefs and doctrines. Metz and others may choose to lead life with blinders on but this is negligent and only serves to perpetuate racism.
Metz asserts that "to suggest Canada is experiencing a 'shift to the right' is so ludicrous as to defy all logic and reason." One can only hope that at least this one statement is correct and Canadians will be a step further to ending racism by recognizing the dangers of the ideology professed by Metz and the "new right."
Capitalism acknowledges realities
In his criticism of my view that socialism is a selfish political philosophy that fuels the fires of racism, University of Western Ontario New Democrat John McCullagh in his letter (Inequity basic to capitalism, Free Press, Dec. 27) responds that "inequities are inherent in capitalism," whereas "socialism works towards equality. . . ."
McCullagh is correct on both counts - and that is precisely why socialism must be condemned and why capitalism, with all its "inequities," must be celebrated.
"Inequities" are not inherent in capitalism per se, they are inherent in life itself. Don't blame capitalism for being the only system that acknowledges reality. After all, no two individuals (even if they are of the same race) are "equal" in any respect. Capitalism is the only system that has ever acknowledged the uniqueness of each individual human being by protecting, above all, each individual's inherent right to freedom of speech and expression, freedom of association, freedom of trade, private property rights, and equal treatment before and under the law. To the extent that governments have failed to protect these rights, we can always find at the root of such failure the encroachment of socialist philosophy and policy.
Socialist calls for "equality" always refer to one thing: money (i.e., "economic" equality). Like all greedy socialists, McCullagh wants everyone to "share the wealth" while hypocritically daring to suggest that there is "more to the value of life than purely economic incentives." Armed with complete economic and moral illiteracy (which accounts for socialist disdain for "economic incentives" and their lack of respect for the earnings of others, they continually embark on an endless series of government programs, each designed to "redistribute" other people's hard-earned dollars without giving those people a choice in the matter.
Socialism is profoundly selfish. The only thing socialists really care about is money - specifically, other people's money. Their goal is not in creating wealth, but in "redistributing" it. Their "solution" to any social or economic issue is to throw more money at it. Spend, spend, spend. Tax, tax, tax. And then they actually have the gall to condemn those whose money they're spending for being concerned with "economic" considerations!
To add insult to injury, socialists continually wish to treat millions of independent and unique individuals as members of a single, collective unit, be it by race, sex, economic status, age, religion, or even political ideology. And that's where all the so-called "racist" problems begin. Racism occurs when governments legislate against - or in favor of - individuals based on racial or ethnic origin.
When McCullagh suggests that "Only by intervention designed to allow minorities this chance of equal opportunity will there be the potential to eliminate racism," he is, in effect, saying that "Only by racism can we end racism." He is advocating racism, and has clearly demonstrated why I have argued that racism and socialism go hand in hand.
I, for one, have no desire to be identified its a member of any race or collective - particularly by my government. I, like all my fellow citizens, am an individual first and foremost. For that reason, I have rejected all left- and right-wing philosophies and have adopted the one alternative that lays to rest all collectivist notions: individual freedom of choice and the capitalist system that supports it.
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last updated on April 28, 2002
