D-Day’s Youth vs Today’s Youth

Seventy-five years ago, tens of thousands of brave and selfless young men from the United States, Canada and Great Britain took part in the largest seaborne invasion history has ever seen. It was carried out on the beaches of Normandy, France and propelled by the ideal that no one man should dominate others, no foreign power should be allowed to conquer another.

In coordination with young people from the French Resistance who staged elaborate pre-invasion sabotages against Hitler’s invaders we ousted the dreaded Nazis from their unlawful occupation of France. Even after much blood was shed on that beach surviving warriors would go on to rescue western Europe from German domination as well.  The Nazi regime was crushed.  Democracy emerged alive and well.

It all began on D-Day, June 6, 1944 and while thousands of young lives were lost during the fight against Nazism the allied invasion at Normandy is considered one of the greatest military operations in the history of mankind.

Protst Promoting Socialism in New York City – courtsey Wiki Commons

Today, many young people – always on a quest for something different, something to believe in – apparently think socialism is the way to go.  They march on streets instead of beaches. They carry signs instead of combat gear, signs that read, “Fight for the Socialist Revolution!”  They refuse to entertain any viewpoint other than their own insisting those with differing ideas be silenced and vilified. They worry about identity politics instead of politics that offer something for everyone. When the tough times come they look for safe rooms to soothe their anxieties. A massive difference in the attitude of young people from 1944.

A recent Harris poll indicates that 49% of millennials and members of the internet saturated Generation Z say they “Prefer living in a socialist country.”  They favor free universal health care and tuition free college. In 2020, these two groups are expected to make up about 37% of the electorate

The latest Gallup poll (August 2018) showed that Democrats and democratically leaning independent voters now embrace the idea of a nation based on socialism over capitalism by a margin of 57%.  Republicans remain much more positive about capitalism, only 16% support socialism.

Survivors of D-Day. Their Faces Say It All – courtesy DOD

As I watched television coverage of the D-Day commemorations this past week I wondered what the dwindling number of surviving military veterans from that era – men who are now in their 90’s – think about this movement toward socialism. I searched their weathered and weary faces for a clue, but it was clear they were consumed by the haunting memories of the fight.

I wish instead of holding signs in the street today’s young people would more diligently study epic moments in history.

This push toward socialism is not only happening in America but in other countries as well. Young, idealistic people firmly believe there is a better way of life, if only everything was automatically made more equal. I wonder if they have thought about how that might be achieved and exactly how they would define socialism.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it, in part, as “governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. A system of society or group living in which there is no private property.”

Do those who so enthusiastically believe in socialism realize the ramifications? It sure sounds great to strive for a truly equal society but put your thinking cap on.

Some Believe Socialism is a Hair’s Breath Away From Communism

If our governmental leaders cannot reach a consensus on reforming immigration, health care or education policy how would socialism in the United States ever take hold? If the ideal is for everyone to give up their private property how would that occur? If the government is in charge of the “means of production and distribution of goods” what happens to small business men and women, to private companies and corporations?

I stand unconvinced that a group of government bureaucrats can adequately produce, distribute and assure an uninterrupted food supply, for example. I’d much rather rely on an American farmer – even if he or she is working for one of the big Agri-firm corporations – to put food on my table.

Let me ask those who have had past dealings with the Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, the Department of Education or any other federally run government institution – were they easy to deal with and did they help you in an efficient and timely matter?  Ever have interaction with the TSA at the airport, the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Health and Human Services?  Was that contact easy-peasy or a muddled maze that left you more confused and agitated than when you started?  Now, imagine that every aspect of your life, health, housing, education and commerce was controlled by the government.  To understand how socialism eventually collapses under its own weight all one need do is look at today’s socialist state of Venezuela and its utter chaos, poverty, hunger and escalating disease.

That is not the lifestyle those brave men and women of past wars have fought and died for. They were propelled forward by a determination to preserve our self-determination.  For the sake of our republic let’s remember that.

###

16 Comments

  1. Diane Dimond on June 10, 2019 at 10:45 am

    Reader Tom Crisman writes:

    Diane, The love of my country has/is such a big part of my emotional life I mourn for those who for some reason aren’t/can’t be experiencing it. The contrast of aspiring things that can not even be considered under socialism bewilders me that those who aspire for socialism will never enjoy the real thrills of freedom brought by free enterprise. I can only conclude that their minds have been so poisoned by the lifelong liberal/leftist barrage they simply don’t have the capability mentally of even considering alternatives. You can’t compare to what you don’t know and won’t allow yourself to be exposed to. Appreciate your articles, keep providing the truth and inspiration.
    Tom Chrisman Albuquerque, NM

  2. Diane Dimond on June 10, 2019 at 10:45 am

    Reader Morgan Smith writes:

    Congratulations on your fine article about D-Day and socialism.
    Morgan Smith, Santa Fe, New Mexico

  3. Diane Dimond on June 10, 2019 at 10:46 am

    Reader Tim Taylor writes:

    Diane,
    Today’s column is a nasty piece of yellow journalism!

    First, I think you actually made up the last sentence in your “dictionary “ definition of socialism. You’re not the only owner of a Merriam-Webster. Mine doesn’t have it. Second, mine alludes to socialism being a variety not one thing.

    Then you conflate. Viciously. So … according to you, there is only “Socialism” on one “side,” and our soldiers fighting Nazi Germany on the other? Dear god.

    Put your “dictionary” down and pick up a history book or two.

    A specific recommendation for you: read some Francis Fukuyama. It might open your mind to the nuance out there in the world.

    Socialism for the rich; free enterprise for the poor!

    Tim Taylor

  4. Diane Dimond on June 10, 2019 at 10:48 am

    Reader Mark Janis writes:

    Diane,

    The thing you miss entirely in your column is the D-Day veterans were almost all children of the Depression – a tragedy foisted on us by greed and unfettered capitalism. These kids were gulped down by two of the largest socialist organisations; the US Army and USN. These organizations have one mission: to defend the US. These kids were taught to work as a team and that no job was unimportant from raw recruit to Fleet Admiral (I know, I served in the Navy as a Machinist Mate Third).

    After defeating Fascism on several continents, these same kids used the lessons they learned to help build our country into a golden age, whereas sadly their children ended up just being greedy spoiled Boomer brats (this spoken as a Gen X’er). My daughter is a Millenial- you won’t sell your hogwash about about socialism to her; she knows better and her generation laugh patiently waiting for yours to fade into obscurity.

    Mark Janis

  5. Diane Dimond on June 10, 2019 at 10:49 am

    Reader Andy Dennison writes:

    Wow, Diane! You’ve bought completely into the idealized narrative about D Day and Socialism. You know things are nuanced, but you generalize like a seventh-grade school paper and put everyone in a convenient box. To suggest that U.S. would become Venezuela is absurd. Times change Diane, there was a HUGE movement to socialize parts of American life in the 1940s (Social Security, GI bill, mortgage subsidies), and that continues today (mortgage subsidies, free school meals, public roads[!]). How about considering the military “socialist”? After you get out, regardless of what you did in the service, you get free education, free health care, benefits all over the place. What’s that, Diane? Why not the same for other public servants, because only a small percentage of service men and women face danger during their time … that they volunteered to do. To put millennials against D Day vets is small-minded, simplistic. Not everyone in the service is a hero, not every vet hates socialism. But that’s how you want us to see them. Not every millenial is a lazy protester, but that ‘s the way you want to us to see them. Talk about playing to the audience, Diane. Make things simple and black-and-white. Sounds like someone in the White House these days …


    Andy Dennison

    • Diane Dimond on June 10, 2019 at 11:16 am

      You ascribe motives to me that simply don’t exist. But if it makes you feel better, go ahead ~DD

  6. Diane Dimond on June 10, 2019 at 10:50 am

    Reader Jerome Paul Shea writes:

    Hi Diane,

    I’m afraid we are going to have to disagree big time over your recent rant, which the ABQJ headlined as “Young socialists miss what D-Day was about.”

    First, I am going to have to take issue with your framing idea. The heroes that stormed Omaha Beach were fighting not socialism but fascism, which—thanks to Donald J. Trump and his toadies—is really the clear and present danger that we face today. Those same people would like to get us riled up about “socialism” as a distraction. You write “The push toward socialism [whatever you mean by that] is happening not only in America, but in other countries as well.” Perhaps so, but I would point out that ugly right-wing populism (fascism in all but name) is happening in just as many places (Hungary, Poland, the Philippines).

    I hope we can agree that no socio-economic system is perfect (and I have grave misgivings about the state of capitalism today, in this country). But frankly I find your caricature of “socialism” offensive. In that light I am not surprised that your bogeyman is VENEZUELA, godhelpus. Can we please talk about the very successful hybrid called “democratic socialism”? Sweden and the Denmark—two exemplars of democratic socialism— appear to be very happy with their system, which has worked well for many many years. THAT is the system that the Left is urging, not this weird pseudo-communism that you seem to think is ready to pounce. C’mon, Diane. And you know better than to use dictionary definitions to build an argument on; Professor Shea would have climbed all over a student for that.

    Btw, my experience with Social Security has been very satisfying, and I am sure that if evaluated fairly, the VA and the USPS, to name two favorite whipping boys, would come out as more sinned against than sinning. Surely, good journalist that you are, you can see the hungry privatizers licking their chops here.*

    I could go on, Diane, but I value our friendship. I really do.

    xo

    Jerry

  7. Diane Dimond on June 10, 2019 at 11:05 am

    Reader Khalil Spencer writes:

    I’ve never seen @DiDimond as a “conservative” or “liberal”. In this case, someone commenting that these young experts are speaking from ignorance, having not grown up in a system on which they lavish such praise on the basis of superficial social media knowledge. /// All these young socialists so sure of themselves have never lived under socialism.

  8. Diane Dimond on June 10, 2019 at 1:58 pm

    Reader Larry Lynn writes:

    I don’t think the understand classic socialism–i.e. govt owning means of production. I think they want the social protections we see in northern Europe. They are afraid of the worst behaviors of capitalism.

  9. Diane Dimond on June 12, 2019 at 7:34 pm

    Reader Kenneth Overholt writes:

    Gi Diane, Generally I find a nice read. This time though I think you missed your mark on socialism. You failed to point out that our country already runs tons of socialist programs that I don’t think you or your readers would like to give up. Additionally, there’s no need and honestly no way for a country become purely socialist. U Failed to point out that Socialism is an economic theory, not a political theory. You can still be socialist and a Democracy As many Scandinavian countries are. Your choice of Venezuela your hou as many Scandinavian countries are. Your choice of Venezuela as And an example of socialism is weak. Why didn’t you pick Denmark or Sweden, to thriving democracies who Rank above the US on almost measures of life. Longer lifespan, lower infant mortality, greater literacy, greater math skills, higher quality of life, and lower incarceration rates.
    I think you need to look again and do a little more research into this subject. You spoke of giving up all private property, that’s communism, not socialism.
    I am not by any means for the US becoming a socialist country, But in some regards, such as medical care, socialism is good and merits a look For example, free college for everyone is nuts. We don’t need a 100% college-educated country and some people would go just to collect the check.
    To be honest I did not find your choice of Venezuela as THE example of socialism to be a shock. Anytime Fox News speaks of socialism Venezuela is always THE example. It was only one time a fox host chose Denmark as the country of choices to deride the failings of Socialism. Denmark responded loudly on the Internet with facts & figures which blew FOX’s alt-facts out of the water.
    You really should look up that video You could learn a lot.

  10. Diane Dimond on June 12, 2019 at 7:39 pm

    Reader Dave Burkhart writes:

    Excellent article. I am a baby boomer and a true supporter of capitalism. It is so unfortunate that many of today’s Youth & millennials fail to clearly understand the greatness of this country and how capitalism benefits everyone. No one guaranteed me anything as I was growing up an entered the work force. I paid my way through college and had to earn a job, it was not handed to me. Today, many young people coming up feels entitled vs working to be successful. This is a combination of how the democrats portray things and how young people have been educated.

    Thanks.

  11. Diane Dimond on June 12, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    Reader Rick Sanchez writes:

    I totally agree with you on this subject, and many more on your past columns! All these young people that want everything for free don’t realize that somebody has to pay for it! When those idiots finish collage (if they do) and start working, having to pay for others to get educated, fed, and upbringing they might think twice about where their money is going, it might not be going into their kids college fund it might going to send some kid from a Third world country to become a doctor, on our funds.

    Sorry to be brutal but I’ve lived all over the word, not in the military, and no other country has to offer what the USA has. If anybody has anything to complain about the US should be sent to another country to exist for a year I’ll bet my last dollar that they would be kissing the ground when they landed back on American Soil!!!!

    A Devout Reader of Your Column,

    Rick

  12. Diane Dimond on June 12, 2019 at 7:43 pm

    Reader Ed Crane writes:

    I think those that are still with us are appalled. I don’t think they put their lives on the line for abortion rights or transgender restroom accommodations..

  13. Diane Dimond on June 25, 2019 at 12:21 pm

    Reader Frank Andazola writes:

    Dear Diane: Thank you for the great D-Day editorial. It’s one of your best.
    Were your Grandfathers of Father part of the invasion force?
    My Father was rotated home before D-Day. He had served in North Africa and Italy as an army combat engineer. Ironically some of my Mom’s family in Italy served in Mussolini’s army.
    I wonder if these young socialists know that socialist is part of the Nazi acronym? Do they know that Stalin and Mao killed more people than Hitler? Some workers paradises.
    Given the fanaticism of these neo-socialist I strongly doubt that they would be any “kinder” than the Gestapo or KGB. Thank you once again.
    Sincerely yours,
    Frank Andazola

  14. Diane Dimond on June 25, 2019 at 12:24 pm

    Reader Virginia Troyer writes:

    Your article in Journal – Young socialist miss what D- Day was about is spot on. Everyone should read it and truly understand exactly what socialism is and it’s ramifications. Thank you for your insight.

    Virginia Troyer

Leave a Comment