Great post and poll.

I think it is obvious I believe individual liberties are the most important. It's is the foundation on which our nation was built.

The problem with socialism is that it doesn't truly solve any problems. When individual freedom's are a priority, people have an active role in the quality of their lives and their general happiness.

Socialism is basically the promotion of mediocrity. Intelligence, hard work, individual liberties, the pursuit of happiness, and the monetary motivation to progress an individuals creations and inventions takes a back seat to the society as a whole.

The argument from the other view will be that these are "selfish" ideals, and to an extent they are. My question however, is why are they not justified ideals? Socialism forces the population to support each other rather than the individual supporting his/herself. In a free society, it is up to the individual to provide for themselves, and typically, those who have made fortunes, donate to charities freely.

Why should we want a society of mediocrity?

I don't understand how anyone who as studied the American Revolution, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and read some of their writings can support socialism.

Socialism is the antithesis of the American Dream. It is the antithesis of the framework our Founders laid out for this nation. It is a direct insult to everything our forefathers believed in. An insult the the ideals they risked their lives and fortunes for.