In America today, we find ourselves a nation who looks to the past. We almost idolize the decades before in an unhealthy manner. While my peers and I did not grow up during the McCarthy era, our parents and grandparents did. The results of the Cold War and communism shaped their lives, in turn molding our own. Socialism, like communism, involves much overlook by the government. The two are very different otherwise. In a communist nation, everyone gets paid the same amount no matter your job. This causes a lack of incentive in people which is not seen in socialism. In a socialist society, people are free to do what they want but the government makes sure that big business is not ripping people off. I think people in America are so afraid of socialism because they are not fully educated about what it entails. In "The Crucible", Arthur Miller draws a scene of paranoia that reflected his present day society. He was seriously afraid of the consequences of what McCarthy was doing. That is why he **SPOILER ALERT** killed off all the sensible main characters to get his point across. In that situation, one has to ask themselves if the means justify the ends. To tie it in with "Good", Hitler wanted to create a better Germany that was left in pieces after WWI. He had the right idea of restoring his country but he went about it the wrong way. Just like in 1950's America, the people were scared so they allowed someone in charge to do the wrong thing. It only takes one man (or woman) to make a difference however. This is what we saw in "Good Night and Good Luck". People in America today need to stop thinking how America was and start changing how America will be. Sociologists say that it is never a good sign for the health of a country when they start to look backwards instead of forwards.
I really like your point that we, as Americans, tend to look at our past and shape our future according to what we’ve done rather than what we could do. Although it is said that to know one’s future one must understand their past, that is only true to a certain extent. At some point it becomes, as you said, unhealthy to look at the “glory days” as if that was our countries pinnacle moment in history and that we would never achieve such success again. I also completely agree with your point on Americans view of socialism, although I am not for a socialist America the idea of socialism has its positive points, as does Communism. As Americans we really need to look towards are future and attempt to rebuild our country in a positive light that reflects that ideals of its people, rather than the ideals of the men in charge, such as McCarthy.
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ReplyDeleteI agree that we need to look forward, but I understand and appreciate how much we look to the past. I am a firm believer in the whole, the past carries many lessons that we should learn from so to not repeat them. We should know our past, so that we won't repeat our mistakes. So in that, I believe our problem is in our teachings, so much of our life is spent through schooling. We learn much of the past during the schooling time, but I hardly remember, but maybe a slide or two on socialism or communism. These are terms we are not well taught on and we more often simply trust that it is so for a reason. I am not certain that socialism is the absolute way to go, but we should open our minds more and look at all options.
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