Nation’s characteristics already show socialism
The United States is already a socialist country. If one reads the 10 planks of the Communist Manifesto, most have already be incorporated into American culture. The last major obstacle is abolishment of property rights, which is being eroded everyday by eminent domain, the “forfeiture” provisions of the RICO statutes and the so-called war on drugs.
We have a graduated income tax (Plank 2), we have an inheritance tax (Plank 3), we have a central bank owned by a foreign country (Plank 5), we have the Federal Communication Commission and the Department of Transportation (Plank 6), we have the Department of Agriculture (Plank 7), we have the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Plank 8), we have the Department of Education (Plank 10) and we have government-controlled retirement (Social Security) and health care (Medicare and Obamacare).
Don’t get me wrong, I am for helping the poor. However since the beginning of the New Deal and before, the divide between the rich and the poor has widened and increased in width. The “war on poverty,” federal control of the education system and the ever-increasing government control into every aspect of society has only widened the disparity.
As Ben Franklin stated over two centuries ago “I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.”
Life is not fair and government cannot make it fair. I am for providing a helping hand up, but not a hand out.
Socialism/communism has never worked anywhere in the world long term. It only leads to an elite ruling class and peasants. The final chapter of socialism is bloodshed. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The free enterprise system is the only system that has lifted the masses out of poverty.
MIKE CLIFFORD
Bentonville
President disgraces flag by hurting U.S. military
The military is losing $3.6 billion dollars so the president and commander-in-chief can build a wall along the U.S-Mexico border. He’s taking the money from the military that was supposed to be used to construct new housing and make other base improvements. Since soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen can’t tell Commander-in-chief Trump not to take money destined for the military, we have to speak up for them.
Tell the president to build houses, schools dry docks, hangars — not walls.
My father spent 23 years in the U.S. Army. My brother spent 27 years. My husband served in the U.S. Navy. As a Democrat and patriot, I believe in supporting the people serving and protecting us. I believe in providing good homes and bases for them and their families. We can’t break promises to active-duty personnel. They’re really counting on better housing and bases.
Tell the president he is disgracing our flag with this action.
ANDRA ATTEBERRY
Bella Vista