Americans: Sweeter on Socialism

Support for socialism just hit a record high in America. Gallup reported this week that 43 percent of Americans now view socialism positively—the first time that figure has topped 39 percent since Gallup began tracking it in 2010—including two thirds of Democrats.

• Independents drove this recent jump: Their positive rating of socialism rose from 37 to 45 percent in one year, and their view of big business fell to 32 percent, a new low.

Socialism’s rating has climbed 7 points in 15 years. Free enterprise has fallen 9 points; capitalism, 6; and big business, 14.

• Among Democrats, the slide is steep. In 2021, 88 percent viewed free enterprise favorably. Today, 65 percent do—a 23-point drop in five years. Only 35 percent of Democrats view capitalism positively.

Old vs. young: Americans ages 18 to 34 rate socialism above capitalism, 57 percent to 43. Those 55 and older rate capitalism higher, 65 percent to 34.

• Asked what is good about socialism, 42 percent of older Americans said, “Nothing.” Only 13 percent of young adults did.

• Americans 55 or older were adults when the Berlin Wall fell. Those under 35 don’t remember the Soviet Union.

Forgetting is how nations lose blessings. America’s wealth was not the product of a clever economic model. It was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 22:17), as Herbert W. Armstrong proved in The United States and Britain in Prophecy.

• Moses warned that prosperity would breed forgetfulness: “And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth …” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).

America forgot God first. Now a generation is forgetting even the system and is looking to government for the security only God can give.