OCR Text |
Show COMMUNISM vs. CAPITALISM The main argument for Communism which is dutifully swallowed by all party members and fellow travelers is that it is the only way to save the "Common man" from cruel exploitation and give him a healthier, happier, more abundant life; the same goes for Socialism and government ownership of business, which are just softer names for Communism. Commu-nism. On that premise Russia has built her police state and her regimented economy in which private business does not exist, there is no real competition, and the government runs everything. How has it worked out? In capatalistic America, a wage earner gets an average of $10 for eight hours work. A Russian has to put in 81 hours of labor to earn the equivalent. To make still another comparison, compari-son, about 37 hours of work by a typical American industrial worker will pay for a good new suit. If the Russian wants a new suit, by contrast, he must toil more than 50 hours, and the chances are that the suit will be of rock bottom quality. Many factors have contributed to this amazing difference in living standards between two large nations, na-tions, each of which has been blessed with vast stores of raw materials. One of the most important is something Americans take for granted because they have known it and seen its workings all their lives competition. Every manufacturer and producer must constantly try to produce a better line of goods, or to sell at a cheaper price, or to offer some other inducement in-ducement to those who buy from him. On the retail level, exactly the same thing goes on. Whether a store be small or large, whether it be independently owned or part of a chain system, the great emphasis must be on pleasing and attracting the customer. If a store fails in that, the trade goes down the street, and the receivers eventually take over. That is why a free economy is one of abundance and a regimented economy is one of scarcity because be-cause government monopolies eliminate competition. |