“I've always been perplexed by the dichotomy that often divides people's avowed beliefs and their actions. It may be hard to accept the moral and economic evils of socialism, in the abstract, but it's also hard to vote against it.
Asked whether they believed that socialism was the best track to prosperity, all said no. Asked whether they supported socialism or capitalism, the latter got the universal nod.
I followed those introductory comments with a brief spiel on a book I wrote years ago. I brought out a copy, briefly paged through it, and mentioned its content and supposed value. I also said that, if the group wanted this book to go to one of the audience members, they could vote for me to make it so.
The vote was unanimous; no one was so "selfish" that he or she would vote against someone's receiving a book — even if the odds were against any particular individual's getting the book. Heck, "something for nothing" was in play!
So I gave the book to the nearest audience member, and then I said, "Well, you voted for me to give this book to 'George,' but that book had a cost. We never discussed what cost was attached to your votes. I just spaced that. Anyway, it's only fair to have that cost borne by all: I'd like you each to pass a dollar up here to the podium — unless, of course, 'George' wants to give it back to me."
"George" played along (or perhaps he really wanted the book). He laughed and told his colleagues to fork over the money.
The audience's mood was growing dark, and I didn't want to cause trouble, so I then reached into my bag and gave a book to everyone.
The lesson cost me a dozen books, but I figured I had made a point about liberty, about democracy, and ultimately about limited government.”
This is a great illustration of how democracy can lead to socialism. In fact, it was Karl Marx who said, “Democracy is the road to socialism.”
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