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The essence of democracy

By Staff | Sep 23, 2020

To the editor:

President Trump often accuses the Radical Left of wanting to turn the United States into a Socialist society. Many Trump supporters erroneously think exactly like him.

The problem is, based on their rhetoric, few of them understand the positive role enmeshed Socialism programs play in our society, and how many citizens, including Trump supporters, benefit from these social programs. A comprehensive assessment detailing the existing social benefits can be found in the online article, “75 ways Socialism Has Improved America.” You will see that America was and is still great, although Trump is working against its progress.

I encourage anti-Socialists to carefully reflect on the many Democratic Socialist programs that enhance their lives. Then perhaps, they can form a deeper understanding of the Democratic process that benefits all citizens instead of resorting to their auto-knee-jerk, anti-Socialism rhetoric.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

“Now relax and breathe. It’s going to be okay! We are going to get through this.

You see, we are still a capitalist nation. In America, you can still make a billion dollars, get a giant tax cut, and pay your employees barely enough to survive while you sail in your yacht to escape any guilt that might inconvenience you. So don’t freak out just yet!

The thing is, socialism is all over America and people actually like it. Even you… Yes you!”

Here is the list of Socialism Improvements. Details for each improvement are in the article.

The Military/Defense, Highways/Roads, Public Libraries, Police, Fire Department, Postal Service, Student Loans and Grants, Bridges, Garbage Collection, Public Landfills, War, Farm Subsidies, CIA, FBI, Congressional Health Care, Polio Vaccine, EPA, Social Security, Museums, Public Schools, Jail/Prison System, Corporate Business Subsidies, Veterans Health Care, Public Parks, All Elected Government Officials, Food Stamps, Sewer System, Medicare, Court System, Bird Flu Vaccine, G.I. Bill, Hoover Dam, State/City Zoos, IRS, Free Lunch Program, The Pentagon, Medicaid, FDA, Health Care for 9/11 Rescue Workers, Swine Flu Vaccine, Disability Insurance (SSDI), Town/State run beaches, Corporate Bailout/ Welfare, State Construction, Unemployment Insurance, City/Metro Buses, WIC, State Snow Removal, Public Broadcasting Service, Center for Disease Control, Welfare, Public Street Lighting, FEMA, Public Defenders, State Children’s Health Insurance Program, Amtrak, National Public Radio, Department of Homeland Security, OSHA, State and National Monuments, USDA, Government Scholarships, Department of Health and Human Services, Census Bureau, Department of Energy, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Education, Secret Service, Peace Corps, Department of Justice, National Weather Service, The White House, Law and Civilization.

I leave you with this final thought, whose source is from Star Trek’s ‘The Wrath of Khan’ in 1982: “The needs of the many outweigh the wants of the few, or the one.”

Such is the essence of Democracy.

Paul Kiefner

Cape Coral