Voice of the people: October 15, 2023
So-called 'socialism' in America includes needed services
I asked myself the questions that were posed by Ledger opinion-page writer Walt Back (10/1/23) but found myself correcting his questions.
Will our century’s old USA remain a secure, free market, constitutional, capitalist, democratic Republic beyond the bold-faced bullying and gaslighting minority that is the MAGA-Republican movement? Will taxpaying citizens ever realize that today’s political leadership is represented by oligarchs, who only stand for themselves? Will they make it harder than ever to participate in the 2024 presidential election? Will America’s MAGA-Republican movement continue? And, has the cruel philosophy of the extreme right influenced US policies?
The answer to all of these questions is a “Yes” with two notes. Our USA will remain a democratic Republic only as long as folks are willing to take-on the bullies who spread misinformation. As well, Americans are slowly recognizing that it is not socialism that is the axis-of-evil but wealthy people, who -- for the most part -- have no interest in the rest of us.
In short, so-called socialism in America includes such government services as Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, roads/bridges, parks, libraries, police, programs for the poor, and many other services.
Is American-style socialism really what Walt Back wants to end?
Darhlene Zeanwick, Davenport
Good governance should be based on compromise
For over 200 years law making has been based on compromise. If both sides held their nose at a law, it was probably good for all Americans. Governance has always been a give and take proposition and has worked for centuries. As an independent, I watch each party's performance.
While the Democrats have, for the most part, reined in its fringe elements, the Republicans have not. This includes local, state, and national Republican structures. At best they present us with a clown show, at worst it is a danger to our democracy.
One party rule is dangerous. It appears that Americans are tired of the clown show, so the pendulum is beginning to swing the other way. I sincerely hope it doesn't swing too far. I hope Republicans wake up soon and move back to the middle.
Michael Cornell, Lake Wales
Biden wrong on student debt plan
Here's the deal, our country owes over $33 trillion. President Biden wants you and I to pay someone else's school debt and we do not have a choice. It only covers only 9 million of the student loans. We must pay our taxes that the government says we owe.
The colleges should have to stand the loss, not you, not me! With millions and millions of people invading our boarders and you and I must pay for the cost of putting them up, feeding, and if they want, teaching them English and educating and giving them a job at $15 to $20+ per hour.
Please vote every chance you get, before you lose the right.
Nick Hauser, Lakeland
Song's lyrics ring true decades later
For those of us with enough grey hair, it is time to do a Google search and read, or listen to the words of, "On the Eve of Destruction," a popular song in the 60’s decade when we were a very divided country.
The lyrics include the words of nuclear war fears, government can’t pass legislation, segregation, religion, etc. Unfortunately, today we find ourselves in an even more divided country.
Sixty years later finds us with well-founded fears for our country’s very survival. Surely, destruction cannot happen to us, can it?
Jim Parham, Lakeland
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Voice of the people: October 15, 2023
