Socialism

Socialism does not mean equalization of the abilities of all individuals. It is impossible. All men are not equal. Socialism means only the provision of equal opportunities for all. We do not say that all men are equal, but we do say that all men must be given equal opportunities for expressing whatever Possibilities they have. When we say that it is necessary for us to feed, clothe and shelter all human beings, we are emphasizing what may be called the economic aspect of the democratic ideal. We wish to diminish the distances between wealth and poverty and to raise the living standard of the ordinary man. So long as there are people in our country who do not get a square meal a day, who sometimes do not have a roof over their heads, who sleep on the pavements of our cities, it is a challenge to us. No man who feels for his country can feel happy or complacent when he looks at this appalling misery and poverty. These are a challenge to us all. We should combat them, abolish them if our country is to be called democratic.