by Serwan Zangana
While anti-billionaires rhetoric is rising in the U.S as the progressive figures and politicians believe that the American society does not need billionaires, the question is: Does America really need billionaires, and If it is (NO), what is the alternative?
The conflict between the masters (employers-capitalists) and the workers is traced back to the late 19th century as pays, work hours, and the employers treatment to the workers were the main issues that resulted in strikes, and often led to violence. Also, in the early 19th century and in response to the inequality and the unjust treatment of the factory owners, who were indeed the capitalists, to the workers, the ideology of Socialism emerged to encounter Capitalism.
Decades later, as in the 20th century, Socialism became a large block in the world and embraced by various nations, such as the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, including East Germany, combating the Capitalist nations. The Socialism system lasted for about 40-70 years, depending on the country and its resistance in holding its grip on the system; after all, the entire system of the Socialist block collapsed.
Socialism was not able to survive on the ground of reality as its theory very idealistically prescribed solutions for problems that are caused by Capitalism. However, while Capitalism causes hardship for the majority people in the society, it also creates opportunities for advancement in many aspects versus Socialism that implements restrictions and pushes for further government control of people’s lifestyle.
The advocates of Socialism in the U.S are only seeing the problems that Capitalism is creating. They are either unable to see the greater problems that Socialism causes or perhaps they are ignoring the history of Socialist system, which can be lessons to refrain from such an ideology.
Eradicating billionaires from American society does not solve the problems that they caused. It is important to realize that the billionaires are the employers of millions of Americans, and a straight shot of “ we don’t need billionaires” is completely unrealistic, and indeed those who argue and preach against billionaires acknowledge behind the public that billionaires also have positive economic impacts.
The progressive groups are pushing an unrealistic agenda that is not able to bring solutions for the American problems, including social and economic inequality. Their agenda is far from reality as it creates problems for the average American people. Instead of the extreme rhetoric and calls to end billionaires, the progressive elite and lawmakers should aim at more realistic ideas and hold the billionaires more accountable, strengthen the labor unions, and monitor the working places to detect racism, inequality, and injustice.
Obviously, if billionaires were eradicated, American people will face unemployment and the government in fact will not be able to solve such a problem. For example, in March of this year, the tire manufacturing plant in Salem, VA closed down and resulted in approximately 392 employees losing their jobs (WDBJ7). On May 2, Spirit Airlines collapsed as the result of rising oil prices because of the U.S-Iran war. Such a collapse of Spirit Airline caused 17000 employees to lose their jobs (NBC6). That means without billionaires as the owners of the business and corporations, most Americans will be unemployed.
Although most billionaires are not the example of ethics and morality in the U.S, calling to remove them from American society has no base at all, and it is a distraction from focusing on finding realistic solutions. However, Socialism is and was unable to replace Capitalism and solve the social and economic issues.
Therefore, reforming Capitalism and monitoring billionaires can be more effective and realistic solutions for the economic problems in the U.S
