For what it's worth, I'm a socialist too, but I live in a world in which authors I know personally-- published authors with books on the NY Times Bestseller List-- do things like file for bankruptcy and go to Mexico for critical surgery because they can't afford to be treated in the US. I would like to live in a world in which people who tell great stories don't have to worry about food, a place to live, and adequate health care. Heck, I'd like to live in a world in which
no one has to worry about these things. But I don't. I live in a world in which most people seem pretty attached to the idea of ownership, wealth is unevenly distributed to the point of being ludicrous, and good authors (and other artists, and people who support them, like editors) can go hungry all too easily.
Given those things, I don't think it's right to read books without being part of a system that pays for them. You can get creative about how you pay back, of course. Set up a CafePress t-shirt store for your favorite author, or an Amazon store so they might start to get a cut of even used book sales. Campaign your local library to buy their books, or buy copies of books and donate them to the library. See if you can get one of their books added to the reading list for a course at your local school or college. Get together with like-minded folks in your area and raise money to invite your author out for a book-signing and speaking engagement. Send cash. Or even cookies.
If you can't afford to do any of those things, consider at least writing your favorite author a postcard saying how much you enjoy their books. That won't pay the rent, but kind words do help one keep warm nights. And make a commitment to yourself that someday, when you can afford it, you will sponsor authors or other artists, to the extent that you can afford it.
Or ignore all this advice. I'm talking about my own ethics here, after all. As HarryT points out, these are decisions we all have to make individually.
