This title is not original with me, but comes from one of my favorite writers, Gene Edward Veith. Two of his books that made a great impact on me were Postmodern Times and Reading Between the Lines, and I recommend them both. Of course, I also appreciate that he is an advocate for classical Christian education, and that he currently teaches at Patrick Henry College.
In an article by the title quoted above in the May 9 edition of World magazine, Veith takes to task Eric Etheredge of the New York Times for downplaying President Obama's leftist plunge by labeling him a "social democrat" instead of "socialist." In his insightful article, Veith "reads between the lines" to dissect the etymologies of all these terms, showing us they they are really cut from the same piece of cloth.
My favorite quote comes near the end: "Social democrats are not communists, but their Marxism is evident in their belief in class struggle. Thus the vilification of "the rich" over against "working Americans." Also Marxist is the project of redistributing wealth, the use of state power to seize control of private property, and the overarching secularism that rejects the past in favor of a materialistic progress."
Here's the simple part: we can't respect private property if we believe the state is God. The true God (the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - that one) gave "gifts unto men," and made individuals to be stewards, not governments. And we can't reject silly notions like "class struggle," if we believe that the only purpose of life is material gain while on this planet.
It's not about who dies with the most toys. It's about glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. It's that simple.
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