Why I like living in a socialist town

Politicians who browbeat America's “socialist” policies conveniently overlook our own pockets of socialist communities: military bases overseas. The entire support structure, which all of us use—from the health care system to the grocery store, gyms, childcare facilities, and restaurants—is run by the government. Now, I'm not advocating having your restaurants run by the government. We strongly prefer to eat off post. For everything else, I love it. Expenses like childcare and staying in an army hotel are charged on a sliding scale which depends on the customer's pay grade. No one pays for health care. Well, I do, because I'm a nonappropriated funds employee (taxes don't pay my salary. They actually do, but I'm still under the same umbrella as those who receive no funds from congress). When I go to the post clinic, I have to remind people that I have an insurance card. Food purchased from the commissary is very cheap and has been inspected by military food inspectors. Childcare facilities are heavily regulated and have only highly trained professionals providing care, and any kid offering babysitting services has to complete a babysitting training course. We all receive housing allowances and money for utilities. There are free buses running between every base. We have “invasive” rules like that no children under ten are allowed to be left unattended.

My favorite part about living in a community where the government takes care of everyone's basic needs—food, shelter, health care—is the lack of mentally unbalanced library patrons. I know that people in the military do have their own set of problems, but what I see is nothing compared to what I dealt with every day at the public library.

There is some ridiculousness that people associate with government institutions. I know parents who have given up rather than complete all the red tape associated with enrolling an at risk child—like one with allergies or another health problem—in the childcare center. The commissary is a lackluster grocery store, probably because they have no competition and little incentive to increase business. Then there are the restaurants, which would be out of business in months if they were trying to operate in the free market. There are not, however, ridiculously long waits to see doctors or receive any other sort of government funded service.

Most of all, I enjoy the sense of security I get knowing that my housing is taken care of, my food is safe, and my son will be in competent hands when we leave him in child care. I would trade that for the superficial perks of free market competition any day—at least for our basic needs.