"Socialism" is a cheap word. TVA is the Real Deal

The dominant political party of the South rails about “socialism,” but the usual government program targets are not true socialism, a term properly defined as government ownership of the means of production. In most cases these programs are investments to “promote the general welfare.” In contrast, TVA represents socialism in its true form. Energy production is a key industry central to virtually everything the US produces.

I have special insight on this issue from my undergraduate studies being the West Point equivalent of a soviet studies major as well as my career as an executive management consultant serving both the US Federal Government and global corporations. In particular, I learned how unconstrained government power, reaching its peak under the socialist model, leads to economic dislocation and compromise of rights.

TVA's heavy-handed management of lands it picked up from the states is the perfect demonstration of how government ownership of the means of production can result in abuses of power like wielding retaliation against those seeking help as a perverse and callous means of reducing future workload by imposing onerous punishments and private property takings that have no economic justification. A Duke Power would never think to demand capricious destruction of private property on private property, and local officials accountable to voters would be loath to do the same.

Socialist entities fail because they prioritize hoarding of bureaucratic power over mission accomplishment, cost-benefit considerations, and service to stakeholders. TVA is no exception.