I am an exchange student from Lyon, France, and I have always been interested in the politics of this great country. Obviously, I am pretty excited about being here right in the midst of a time-changing election, with all that it entails.
Now I can’t help to hear some heartbreaking things that hurt and that prove that whatever people may say, America still has some progress to make. The latest — and most shocking — thing that I have heard is how, in the wake of Sen. Obama’s generous health care plans, he has started being called a “socialist.” Admittedly, I have something at stake here — I am myself a member of the French Socialist Party, which, may I note, is a perfectly normal governmental party.
Now what kind of a country is this where the word “socialist” has become an insult? This word — understood in its modern meaning — only means that in some matters, government intervention will be judged of better quality than that of a private provider. In order to provide a better and fairer service — the obvious one here being health, government will take matters into its own hands and make as many people as possible benefit from what it has to offer. There is no loss of freedom at stake, only the desire to promote equality and a better life for everyone.
The misuse of the word “socialist” is an obvious example of how America has a lot to gain from stopping to huddle up on its own little problems, and of how slow mentalities are evolving. As far as I know, the Cold War is over (and you won) and the “Threat” is gone. It is grand ol’ time for the USA to open up to what is done abroad. There is no better model anywhere, but there are good ideas out there that deserve at least an attempt at implementation. Obviously a socialist model is out of question, but the misuse of this word proves to me how reactionary and oblivious to true problems this country can be. The pride put in it is well deserved, but open-mindedness never hurt either, so instead of talking about socialism and caressing Joe the Plumber’s lustrous scalp, it is time for some serious change, at all levels, in this country.
Martin Michelot
CLAS IV
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