New socialist organization hopes to spark change on campus
By: Adam Louis
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Campus
A new political campus group is not supporting any of the presidential hopefuls. Its members want a new government altogether.
BG Socialists founder and integrated social studies major, Mike Thurau, became involved in radical politics and the International Socialist Organization last year. He said when he saw the larger chapter in Toledo, he wanted to start an ISO branch in BG.
Socialism is a system of social organization in which property and the distribution of income are regulated by the people as opposed to a single authority or market force, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.
"Capitalism at its very nature breeds inequality and psychological bondage," Thurau said. "It's not a healthy mindset and not a healthy way of interacting. We need a radically different world. If you really look at how society's set up we don't matter. Money is what matters."
Thurau described capitalism as "economic anarchy."
According to junior English and philosophy major Steve Currie, socialism will allow the government to provide basic needs such as housing, insurance and health care. However, Currie said the transition into a more socialist society will take some time.
"We need socialism now, economically speaking," Currie said. "Socially speaking, we're not equipped to handle it [at this time]. People aren't ready for the idea that socialism will tax you out the nose. If we tax higher, more people will have better things."
Currie said socialism will not completely level out the economic playing field, but it would narrow the gap between classes.
"At the very least, we won't have people starving; we won't have people homeless," Currie said.
Political Science professor Scott Piroth said it is true that socialist principles have worked well in other countries, but might not for the U.S.
"They are difficult to enact in the U.S. because we are taught to believe that people should be responsible for themselves and should not look to the government to take care of them."
BG Socialists founder and integrated social studies major, Mike Thurau, became involved in radical politics and the International Socialist Organization last year. He said when he saw the larger chapter in Toledo, he wanted to start an ISO branch in BG.
Socialism is a system of social organization in which property and the distribution of income are regulated by the people as opposed to a single authority or market force, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.
"Capitalism at its very nature breeds inequality and psychological bondage," Thurau said. "It's not a healthy mindset and not a healthy way of interacting. We need a radically different world. If you really look at how society's set up we don't matter. Money is what matters."
Thurau described capitalism as "economic anarchy."
According to junior English and philosophy major Steve Currie, socialism will allow the government to provide basic needs such as housing, insurance and health care. However, Currie said the transition into a more socialist society will take some time.
"We need socialism now, economically speaking," Currie said. "Socially speaking, we're not equipped to handle it [at this time]. People aren't ready for the idea that socialism will tax you out the nose. If we tax higher, more people will have better things."
Currie said socialism will not completely level out the economic playing field, but it would narrow the gap between classes.
"At the very least, we won't have people starving; we won't have people homeless," Currie said.
Political Science professor Scott Piroth said it is true that socialist principles have worked well in other countries, but might not for the U.S.
"They are difficult to enact in the U.S. because we are taught to believe that people should be responsible for themselves and should not look to the government to take care of them."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 25
Greg
posted 2/08/08 @ 9:06 AM EST
Haha, you had me at "English and philosophy major". It's funny how wealth redistribution is always advocated by those who can't function in the present system. (Continued…)
*Discover the Network*
posted 2/08/08 @ 9:06 AM EST
There's nothing "new" about the ISO. Their *dossier* has a repugnant record of grotesque terrorism sympathy, masquerading as appeasement.
ISO views terrorism against U. (Continued…)
Rachel "St. Pancake" Corrie
posted 2/08/08 @ 9:15 AM EST
Maybe you can kick off recruitment with a nice pancake breakfast on March 16th in honor of St. Pancake herself-- ISO tool, Rachel Corrie.
Begorrah!
Tate
posted 2/08/08 @ 9:22 AM EST
I think this has already been tried before.
Still avoiding
posted 2/08/08 @ 11:34 AM EST
this 'new' group ( but not really )
is flavor of the month at BGSU and still does not address the issues of Higher Education and BGSU's
specific role in the whole picture of students, faculty and staff right here on our campus. (Continued…)
Rochester
posted 2/08/08 @ 12:49 PM EST
"At least we won't have people starving."
Obviously this misguided idealist/integrated social studies major has never heard of the Great Leap Forward. (Continued…)
Joe
posted 2/08/08 @ 4:39 PM EST
I hope you are kidding me with this group. Want socialism? Look at France, they're economy is horrible compared to the U.S's. Allowing a free market to function itself is the only possible way to maximize efficieny and well being of everyone in society. (Continued…)
Matthew Provonsha
posted 2/09/08 @ 11:56 AM EST
Adam Louis should know, if he does not already, that the term 'socialist' is extremely broad. One needs to be more specific. The International Socialist Organization is a Trotskyist group. (Continued…)
tx comrade
posted 2/11/08 @ 12:31 PM EST
best of luck with the new branch comrades!
WI comrade
posted 2/18/08 @ 12:11 AM EST
Ditto that.
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