At 8:13 am on Thursday, September 30, 2021, a nationwide explosion of Progressives, Liberals, and Democrats heads occurred when Florida Senator Marco Rubio called President Joe Biden’s $3.5 trillion infrastructure plan “Marxism.”
Historians, politicos, economists, media types, and academics all refuted Sen. Rubio’s new labeling of the Biden administration’s new and very expensive social spending initiative that passed in the Senate, but could ultimately fail in the House because the bill doesn’t go far enough for the Democratic Socialists in Congress.
So how is the Biden infrastructure bill “Marxism” and not socialism?
Socialism and Marxism are very similar, with socialism being the lesser of the two evils, but not by much.
Considering the proposed direction Democratic Socialists like Sen. Sanders and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wants to take the country in with their unabated social welfare programs and ‘everything for all’ approach to government, maybe this is the “Marxism” Rubio is referring to?
Key Similarities
Communism and socialism both grew out of grass-roots opposition to the exploitation of workers by wealthy businesses during the Industrial Revolution. Both assume that all goods and services will be produced by government-controlled institutions or collective organizations rather than by privately-owned businesses. In addition, the central government is mainly responsible for all aspects of economic planning, including matters of supply and demand.
Key Differences
Under communism, the people are compensated or provided for based on their needs. In a pure communist society, the government provides most or all food, clothing, housing, and other necessities based on what it considers to be the needs of the people. Socialism is based on the premise the people will be compensated based on their level of individual contribution to the economy. Effort and innovation are thus rewarded under socialism. (Source)
In a statement this week, self-styled Democratic Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders called on Democrats to reject the House proposal.
“That means there will be no serious effort to address the long-neglected crises facing the working families of our country, the children, the elderly, the sick, and the poor. It also means that Congress will continue to ignore the existential threat to our country and planet with regard to climate change,” stated Sen. Sanders.
Progressive House Democrats have also warned that they have enough votes to sink President Biden’s bill. This appears to be the true considering that Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been forced to delay a floor vote on the bill she promised would happen this past Thursday.
