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The Case Against Socialism

December 11, 2019

“If you got it, they want it”

WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) on Tuesday addressed the U.S. House of Representatives making the case against socialism. Please click here to view Congressman Williams' full remarks.

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. I rise today to make the case against socialism because it is not compatible with freedom – if you got it, they want it. Socialists want the free stuff, capitalists want the good stuff.

Let's look back in history at the divide between those who destroyed human potential and those who empowered others to stand on their own feet and make a difference.

On the socialist all-star team, you'll recognize names like Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, Hugo Chavez, and Fidel Castro. All proponents of socialism who promised their people would be provided for if small amounts of individual liberty were forfeited.

Instead, they left men, women and children starving in the streets, and stuffed their pockets with the money of their people. These failed socialist regimes drove their countries into the ground, some of which have never recovered.

On the capitalist all-star team, you'll recognize names like Adam Smith, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Henry Ford, and Donald Trump. All proponents of capitalism who promoted the ideas of individual responsibility and free enterprise.

This team recognized that what sets America apart from the rest of the world is the drive to reach our fullest potential coupled with a free market economy.

Risks and reward are a big deal to capitalists – they want a hand-up. Guarantees are a big deal to socialists – they want a hand-out.

Capitalism is about taking responsibility for what you create and making it even greater.

We are a nation of opportunity and incentive. And because of those principles, we are a nation of hope where everyone can benefit.

We believe in individual integrity and the dignity of reaping reward from hard work. It is the greatest force in the history of our world for lifting people out of poverty, and we must instill this value in future generations.

The version of shiny, progressive socialism touted by Democrats promises ‘equality' and ‘prosperity.' They sell these lies that everyone can succeed if there is a central power regulating ‘fairness.' Well, that central power, remember, runs the Amtrak and the Post Office.

‘Fairness' could not be further from the truth. The government should never be in the business of picking winners and losers.

I serve on the Financial Services Committee and I ask most witnesses who testify before us if they are a socialist or a capitalist. And can you guess the results? They're overwhelmingly capitalist.

Under capitalism, individuals own their work because they are incentivized by greater gain. It is a system that rewards innovation because it maintains demand for the best products at the best price.

These ideals translate into the core of the American economy. Capitalism is the American dream. Socialism is the American scheme.

Neighbor-owned businesses like bakeries, coffee shops, florists, auto repair stores and boutiques are the lifeblood of our communities. In short, this is Main Street America!

And it was built by men and women who wanted to reach for more, because at the end of the day we inherently possess a desire to dream bigger and bolder.

Socialism doesn't work in our small towns. What's happening in Caracas, Venezuela is not what we want in Cleburne, Texas.

In the end, socialism fails because it's based on the false promise of certainty. It is a failed system because it is unable to excite the human spirit. The bottom line is it's a downer and a loser.

America will never be a socialist country because the fabric of our nation is soaked in the moral imperatives of responsibility, pride and discipline.

In closing, I want to ask this body and the millions of people we represent, which team do you want to be on? Ronald Reagan's team or Fidel Castro's team?

May God bless Texas, and may He continue to bless this land of opportunity that we call home – the United States of America.

In God we trust. I yield back the remainder of my time.

Please click here to view Congressman Williams' full remarks.

Congressman Roger Williams represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas and serves as a member of the House Committee on Financial Services.

Issues:Economy