Journal Community

A:I do not onsider libraries a social program. They are an educational program. Mos liberals are narrow in their thinking and poorly educated. Consider how many of them ( and even some now ) thought Stalin was a hero and a great reformer. It is the educated who can detect Obamas sleigh of hand.

A:Depends on the scope of the library.If the library specialized in providing knowledge, no, the library is critical in a free society so that people can learn a subject not taught in school. I learned economics from a library that specialized in economics. My high school taught the subject badly. A general library is socialist and not good for much.The persons who run them do not know much and try to please everyone. The result is the lowest common denominator, which is the hallmark of redistribution

A:The only non-socialist aspect of these services in the United States is that the American tax system which pays for socialist services is not altogether equitable. As Warren Buffett never tires of reminding us, he pays taxes at a lower rate than his secretary does, because a bunch of high-powered lobbyists have arranged lower tax rates for people who make their livings in part through capital gains.

I see that a number of people here do not see these things as socialist, in one amusing case because the fool thinks that public libraries were invented by Benjamin Franklin. This simply shows that right wing propaganda in the United States has as powerful a grip on some people as stupid propaganda has on other people in other places at times.

A:Of course public libraries are a socialist program, as is the Internet, public roads and state run schools.

That's what socialism is about: having us band together through government to provide services equitably to everyone, at the expense of everyone.

A:The person asking this question doesn't understand how libraries work or even the history of libraries. The Public Library System was founded by Benjamin Franklin to give access to books to all Americans of all classes. Reading was a pastime of the wealthy at the time and it was Franklin's thought that all men should be literate and well read. The use of fines was to reinforce the honor and self-duty that Americans have.
For the questioner to try to place this within the arguments either for or against statism is preposterous. I know of no statist currently or in the past who wanted or needed a well-read middle or lower class. It is their bread-and-butter for the peasants to be ignorant, so that they may be their heroes. Any review of any Communist, Socialist, Anti-Imperialist, or Anarchist propaganda would bear this out.
So, the short answer is no. The Public Library never was, is, or shall be socialist in any form.

A:Of course it is socialistic; and so are all the schools in the nation through High School. So what?

A:Yes. Anything done by government is a socialized service -- a service collectively paid for by everyone, for the betterment of the society in which we live. Be it highways, fire department, police, military, public schools and universities, etc, they all are socialized services.

But directing your comment at "those who feel strongly against government paying for any social programs" is a straw man, because virtually no one believes such a thing. We all believe there are some services which must be "public." But at the same time, we recognize that public services are almost always inefficient, and limit choices (which distorts the free market). So, the goal is to have as few public services as possible, preferring the free market of free enterprise to do it. That's the American way: Small government; Big Individuals.

A:Even worse, local governments fix potholes, thereby denying auto manufacturers and repair shops their right to more frequent sales and servicing of shock absorbers and tires.
What is this country coming to, anyway?

A:Yes. It is a waste, more and more so everyday. Now they allow people to surf pornography on the computers there. Public libraries do nothing but support the private army of government contractors.

A:Government should undertake those activities that are beneficial to the public at large which private institutions will not perform. If it is good policy for poor people to read, then there should be public libraries.