“The misery caused by socialism is unfolding today in Venezuela. Since Venezuela embraced socialism in 1999, poverty, crime and corruption have all increased. Grocery shelves are empty and the annual inflation rate is estimated to be as high as 200 percent.”

Deming notes the U.S. was allowed to thrive because its Founding Fathers upheld private property rights, and credits the free-market capitalist economic system for producing “the greatest prosperity in human history.”

“If we believe a transaction is in our best interest, we have an incentive to maintain good relations with those with whom we’re trading. Thus a society based on freedom and trading promotes good will and civility.”

Under socialism on the other hand, Deming claims, “there are no property rights.”

“Everything you possess is subject to confiscation and redistribution,” he writes. “Industrious and productive people are punished; parasites are rewarded.”

Deming goes on to argue the solution lies in limiting government power and the checks and balances placed on the various branches by the Constitution.

“Human nature is corruptible,” stresses Deming. “If government has the power to redistribute wealth, it will always act in the interests of the powerful segments of society.”

“What made America great is not progressive government, but the genius and industry of a people freed from arbitrary power by the chains placed upon government by our Constitution.”

“If we want to retain our freedom and prosperity,” Prof. Deming says, “then we must educate our children that the purpose of government is to secure liberty, not provide free lunches.”