Socialism Is BAD! So Say Many Right-Wing Folks. However,

[MineralMan]

when it comes to their own interests, it often does not seem so bad.

In my own family, I have a right-winger as a brother-in-law. Since I'm the executor and trustee of my late parent's estate, it falls on me to collect assets and distribute them according to my parent's will and the family trust documents.

Mostly, that's pretty simple, and involves monetary assets and some real property, which has already been sold and the funds distributed.

However, I also applied for FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Benefit on my father's behalf, who died of COVID-19. The benefit can be up to $9000, which was the amount of the check I just received yesterday. My parents insisted on a traditional burial, rather than cremation, so the cost for all of that was almost double that amount. I and my brother-in-law fronted the money at the time of need, and we have both been reimbursed for those expenses from estate assets.

However, here I am with a $9000 check to deposit. Half of that will go to my sister, who has severe Alzheimer's and whose husband is her caregiver and the brother-in-law in question, Which creates a dilemma for me, in a way. I'll mail my brother-in-law a check for $4500 on Monday. Should I mention that that check comes from a socialistic program designed to reimburse families for funeral expenses in this time of pandemic? I am sorely tempted to do just that. My brother-in-law would just rationalize it as something he deserves, but that others should not get. He wants his due, but would withhold it from others, particularly poor people and people of color, who need it far more then he or I do.

I will probably not mention the socialistic nature of that benefit. That's not my style. But, I'm sure thinking about it, when it comes to his political attitudes.

As an aside, the process of applying for this benefit is overly complicated and time-consuming, with requirements for documenting all expenses and showing proof of payment, along with providing a death certificate identifying COVID-19 as the cause of death. Because of that, I'm certain that many who qualify for this benefit will never receive it. It's too difficult a process for most to manage. What a pity! But, thanks to the Biden administration and Congress, that benefit is available.

[Diamond_Dog]

1. My right wing sister

Loves her Medicare and Social Security.

Although she mused to me once before that she could have probably invested her SS contributions in the stock market and gotten lots more back in return if she didn’t have to “hand it over to the government “.

[MineralMan]

3. But, she wouldn't have invested it.

Few people would. SS is a mandatory investment. That's why it works. Socialism is in play there.

[Diamond_Dog]

21. That's what I told her!

Plus, how many average folks are savvy about the stock market? It’s entirely possible someone could lose a bundle.

[bullwinkle428]

2. The "socialism" argument is a convenient fig leaf for RWers, used as another racist dog whistle

of sorts. Allow me to illustrate!

When a particular government benefit goes to THEM, they're quick with the excuse that "IT'S MAH MONEH!!!!"

When some other benefit goes to someone else, almost exclusively with black or brown skin, they immediately play the "THOSE PEOPLE SIT AROUND ALL DAY, WAITING FOR THAT CHECK FROM UNCLE SUCKER TO SHOW UP! ALL COMING FROM MY TAXES!"

[MineralMan]

5. Yes. That is the ironic reality of the Right.

That's why I probably won't refer to it when I send that check. That would be my BiL's attitude, for sure. There is no hope of converting his thinking to something more broad.

[FoxNewsSucks]

18. If there's really no reaching him,

and you don't want to argue, you should just make sure he's aware of the origin and "socialistic nature" of the payment and leave it at that.

It's pretty sad if he's so far gone that this couldn't be used to help him learn what democratic socialism really is and what it means.

I used to associate with someone from Portland OR (which made it so ironic) who became a raging Beckerhead due to marrying an anti-abortion nutbag. We attended the same business meeting twice a year, and it was always fun to argue with him. I did get through when he was whining about "socialism" and I thanked him for NOT taking the $5k or whatever it is child deduction/allowances from his income tax. He was silent, I then feigned shock and outrage that he would stick his hand in MY pocket to help pay for HIS kids. I pointed out that schools, education, other infrastructure and things like that are good for everyone and that he shouldn't just be a socialist when it benefits him. He weakly claimed it was a "struggle that took a lot of prayer" to decide to keep taking the child deductions.

Any time a rightwinger is benefiting from "socialism" it needs to be made crystal clear to them. Doing otherwise lets them keep thinking the way that's described in the post above. The point can be made politely to gently open eyes, or confrontationally, depending on the relationship with that person, but it's a mistake not to make it whenever possible.

[Diamond_Dog]

22. Exactly right, bullwinkle428.

[robbob]

4. You know, every once in a while I have reached out to a RW friend

with some article or small point about GOP malfeasance, and the reaction has always been an explosion of angry rebuttals and stupid RW talking points accompanied by memes and claims that I would then have to go research and refute, one by one.

Not worth it, imho…

[MineralMan]

6. Oh, I know it's not worth it.

The irony is so delicious though. I wish I knew of a way to drive the point home to him. There's not a good way, though.

I have been at pains to administer the estate without any comments at all. The estate's attorney kept reminding me that I could pay myself an administrative fee for my work. I explained to him that I would not, because my interest is in maintaining absolute neutrality with regard to the estate. Charging an administrative fee would have the potential for creating dissatisfaction among the beneficiaries, a hassle I don't need. There is nobody else in the family with the experience and background to have handled the massive amount of paperwork, bureaucracy, and communications that have ensued from this. My father chose me as the trustee and executor, because he knew I could handle the job.

So, instead, I have operated with total transparency throughout the process. I've been sending a weekly progress report, accompanied by a financial spreadsheet for the estate that is updated frequently as things happen, to all beneficiaries, including those who get a fixed amount, and who have already received that.

The result has been no conflicts within the family, something my attorney says often delays the settlement of estate matters. Everyone has copies of the trust documents and the will. Everyone knows where they stand, and I'm here to answer any questions that arise, and I answer them immediately. There are and have been zero conflicts, which has been my goal from the beginning. The terms of the trust and will are the only considerations. Communication is the key.

The attorney's work is now done. He will not be needed from now on. His parting comment to me was, "This has been the most trouble-free estate process I have overseen in my entire career, thanks to your careful and thoughtful administration."

So, I won't be confronting my BiL with the socialistic nature of this benefit. That would not serve my goals in any way.

[robbob]

7. You're one of the precious minerals,

man! 😁

[MineralMan]

8. It's funny, really. I'm an old hippie.

My nieces and nephews have called me "Uncle Freak" for decades. Jokingly, of course.

However, when it comes to serious issues, everyone knows that I will simply do the right thing every time. That's my reputation, aside from my somewhat strange behavior at times.

[Chainfire]

9. Socialism is just another hate word for the far right.

To the rightwingnuts the term has a variable definition. Any program that benefits someone else is Socialism, any program that benefits them is simply an earned benefit.

[uponit7771]

11. +1, yep like instead of the n-word they called MLK a communist it's their catch all phrase for any..

... thing they don't like.

[uponit7771]

10. K&R, republicans love socialism for the rich not the middle class !!

[panader0]

12. I would simply mention that the check is from FEMA's covid-19 funeral benefit program.

With no comment.

[genxlib]

13. It's simple

Just ask him...

"We received a check from the Government reimbursing part of the funeral expenses. Do you want your share or do you want to pass on the sweet socialism money?"

It's a win-win.

Either you get to keep the money or you get to make him admit his hypocrisy.

[MineralMan]

16. Not really. In fact, I was not aware of the FEMA benefit

until my BiL told me about it. Of course, he left the paperwork for me to handle. Every time he has filled out a form having to do with the estate, he has made mistakes that slowed things down. There were a couple of self-executing insurance policies for which my sister and I were the beneficiaries. That was simple, except that my late brother was also a beneficiary, and my father neglected to change the beneficiary list. I sent my brother's death certificate to the insurance companies. My BiL did not, which delayed my sister's payment. He also checked the wrong box on one claim form, which ended up with him getting a debit card, rather than a check. I had to talk him through moving the money from it into his bank account.

I got my checks from the insurance companies quickly. He had to do everything at least twice to get his. I don't make mistakes on forms. I read the instructions and make a phone call to the organization that has sent me the form if I have any questions. He reads nothing, which causes him no end of trouble. We are very different.

[Niagara]

14. You could attempt it.

My 93 widowed lifetime right wing voting grandmother is against socialism. Her husband (my grandfather) passed away over 15 years ago and after grandfather passed away she has lived in section 8 housing for senior citizens. There are very few Democratic voters in our family and those few have tried explaining to her why she has this option available to her. It basically goes in one ear and out the other and she still votes against her own interest.

[MineralMan]

15. I think I'll pass. It would be unlikely to sway him,

and it's important to keep the family on track during this time. I will say this, though: My BiL and sister got their Covid-19 vaccinations as soon as they were available. Since my father died from the virus, I guess they saw the light, based on that. They had theirs in California a couple of months before I got mine.

The pandemic kept me from traveling to my home town after my parents both died on January 6. The virus was rampant in that state right then, so I stayed put. As it turned out, it was actually easier to handle the funeral and burial stuff, along with the estate matters remotely than it would have been had I gone there and risked infection.

About the only thing that was more difficult was dealing with their bank accounts there. However, that got done, too, in time.

[Zeitghost]

17. How many of us

cut bigger checks to the IRS than we have to? I certainly support more taxes from those like myself who have been blessed. But you work with the system you have. I don't see much difference.

[KentuckyWoman]

19. Be you. Just be you.

You are a good man. About as good as they come.

This is proof. You are here thrashing it out before you act. Just follow your heart. It will be fine.

[MineralMan]

20. Thank you. You're too kind.

Sometimes, writing down the problem helps to resolve it. In this particular case, nothing will be gained by confronting my BiL. Since he is my sister's caregiver, I can't see any point in annoying him. He has a tough job to handle right now.

I guess I'm just frustrated by people who cannot see the irony in their own lives. I'm very glad that my parents' estate was large enough to make caring for my sister much easier. She can now have pretty much full time care in her own home. My BiL is dedicated to taking care of her, and this will give him some much needed respite. While I wish that he would see things more clearly, my sister's welfare is the primary concern I have. He'll see to that, with the help of the assets she inherited. Nothing good would come from me hassling him over political issues.

[KentuckyWoman]

28. I have a "conservative" brother.

Neither of us have children. Our sisters and parents are gone. It's just us and nieces, nephews etc.

At a certain point he and I made a pact to stick to life and not politics. It worked for us. He was there as a source of strength while my husband finished out his end. Now my brother is facing down a hard road with his wife. Before it is over I expect he'll be thankful more than one "socialist" program is there to bridge the gap. There will be plenty of time to rub it in later.

And I am not being kind at all saying you are a good man. Go ahead, ask your wife. She'll tell you. haha

[malaise]

23. Do just that

Sometimes we have to expose their hypocrisy

[jcmaine72]

24. Sadly, it's not just RW'ers who condemn Socialism when it's convenient.

President Biden was quoted this week saying:

“Communism is a failed system, universally failed system. I don’t see socialism as a very useful substitute. But that’s another story.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/16/commentary-our-time-biden-is-forced-denounce-communism/

I'm a Socialist, and I'm proud of it. I voted for Joe Biden, but when he talks like that, I feel like he's pandering to the people who didn't.

Just my opinion.

[joetheman]

25. I know you won't do it because you are too decent. But I would let him know

that reimbursement is from a Democratic President who is now standard-bearer for the party that brought him all those other socialist benefits of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Obamacare, Unemployment insurance, food stamps for the poor, and workplace safety regulations among other things. But you are special.

[ChrisF1961]

26. But their definition of socialism is wrong

Socialism is an economic and political system where the community or state owns the general means of production (i. e. farms, factories, tools, and raw materials.)

Paying taxes and government safety nets are not socialism.

[MineralMan]

27. Well, see, I'm using their definition on purpose.