The New York Times has been running a series in their opinion pages entitled: "Red Century - Exploring the history and legacy of Communism, 100 years after the Russian Revolution." These articles seem to read like an attempt to rehabilitate socialism. That prompted our guest to want to talk about Socialism - it's dream and reality. What have we observed in the real world, as Socialism is implemented? What would the words of Jesus have us think in terms of personal responsibility, and do His words provide any mandate for the state? How about the Moral Law of God as contained in the 10 Commandments? Do they speak to the socialistic state? We close looking at the failed real life test case of Venezuela. Reference is made to Charles Hodge and the 8th commandment - here is that original quotation: "This commandment forbids all violations of the rights of property. The right of property in an object is the right to its exclusive possession and use. The foundation of the right of property is the will of God. By this is meant, (1.) That God has so constituted man that he desires and needs this right of the exclusive possession and use of certain things. (2.) Having made man a social being, He has made the right of property essential to the healthful development of human society. (3.) He has implanted a sense of justice in the nature of man, which condemns as morally wrong everything inconsistent with the right in question. (4.) He has declared in his Word that any and every violation of this right is sinful. This doctrine of the divine right of property is the only security for the individual or for society. If it be made to rest on any other foundation, it is insecure and unstable. It is only by making property sacred, guarded by the fiery sword of divine justice, that it can be safe from the dangers to which it is everywhere and always exposed."

Our guest today is Professor of Economics at Grove City College. Participants: Dr. Shawn Ritenour, Dan Elmendorf