Collectivization...

Collectivization...  Friend, former colleague, and fellow retiree Doug W. passed along this quote:

Back in the 1930s we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich.

  – William F. Buckley, Jr.

It's been a long time since I last saw that, and pondered on it. There is much truth there, condensed into a very small number of words.

When I was first reading about current events (late '60s, early '70s), the word “collective” had very negative connotations for any Americans who didn't identify as Communist.  These days one doesn't hear the word very often, but we are collectivizing, steadily.  Our healthcare system is heading quickly toward a “single payer” system – and that fits the definition of a collective perfectly.  The discussion about “minimum income” – which in some countries is very close to becoming the law of the land (I'm looking at you, Finland and Switzerland!) – is a move toward collectivization.  For me, at least, calling single-payer healthcare collectivized healthcare makes it sound much worse, and more threatening.  I wonder if that's true for younger people, those who likely have no idea what a collectivized Soviet farm was like?

It's been almost ten years since Buckley died, and proponents of liberty still have no intellectual support to replace him.  We sure could use a new Buckley right about now.  Can you imagine what his quips on The Donald, The Hillary, and The Bern might be like?