Gary Kasparov is one of the greatest chess players that have ever lived. He’s also a former citizen in the Soviet Citizen, and a harsh critic of the current Vladimir Putin regime. He’s a well-rounded guy who has a great understanding of history, especially of that of Russia.
Kasparov wrote in a Facebook post that people have been inundating him with praise of 2016 United States presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and socialism. Well, Kasparov finally provided a response to these messages and pretty much demolished the entire “feel the bern” campaign perpetrated by people who have never lived under full-blown socialism/communism like Kasparov did.
Here is what he wrote:
“I’m enjoying the irony of American Sanders supporters lecturing me, a former Soviet citizen, on the glories of Socialism and what it really means! Socialism sounds great in speech soundbites and on Facebook, but please keep it there. In practice, it corrodes not only the economy but the human spirit itself, and the ambition and achievement that made modern capitalism possible and brought billions of people out of poverty. Talking about Socialism is a huge luxury, a luxury that was paid for by the successes of capitalism. Income inequality is a huge problem, absolutely. But the idea that the solution is more government, more regulation, more debt, and less risk is dangerously absurd.”
People then responded to that message alluding to Scandinavia (apparently they haven’t seen “What the heck is happening in Sweden? Negative rates, cash bans, housing bubble and enormous debt“). He then provided a retort to those comments:
“Yes, please take Scandinavia as an example! Implementing some socialistic elements AFTER becoming a wealthy capitalist economy only works as long as you don’t choke off what made you wealthy to begin with in the process. Again, it’s a luxury item that shouldn’t be confused with what is really doing the work, as many do. And do not forget that nearly all of the countless 20th-century innovations and industries that made the rest of the developed world so efficient and comfortable came from America, and it wasn’t a coincidence. As long as Europe had America taking risks, investing ambitiously, and yes, being “inequal,” it had the luxury of benefiting from the results without making the same sacrifices. Who will be America’s America?“
Kasparov apparently enraged many socialist proponents with logic, reason and facts. They have questioned his intellect, accused him of being ingorant of history and pontificated the same talking point made famous by socialists today that true socialism has never been tried. What should be made clear is that let’s say it’s true that socialism has never been tried, but any time it creeps up into the economic system it creates chaos and mass suffering, whether it’s through central banks, price controls or production quotas.
If anyone wants to see a real-life example of socialism then all one has to do is take a look at Venezuela, the so-called socialist paradise (SEE: Venezuela’s economic collapse creates new profession: standing in line).
Stick to board games, keep out of politics
Great reply to a person who has actually lived in the economic fantasy Sander’s pushes. I suggest you read “Basic Economics” by Thomas Sowell. Your comment on Chess and board games is appropriate if you will stick to Candyland.