EDITOR:

It would be greatly appreciated to have this editorial perspective published in our paper. Having again read an editorial spewing the evils of socialism, I will stress that socialist programs have been created to help all citizens with every advance the people have made between 1932 and 1952. Socialism is what they called public power, Social Security, farm price supports, bank deposit insurance, and the growth of free and independent labor organizations. Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.

Republicans — and presently right-wing extremists — approve of the American farmer but they are willing to help them go broke. They stand four square for the American home and its acquisition (if you can afford it) but not for housing. They are strong for labor but they are stronger for restricting labor’s rights. They favor a minimum wage — the smaller the minimum wage the better — but billionaires need tax breaks. They endorse educational opportunity for all but they will not spend money for teachers or for public schools. They think modern medical care and hospitals are fine — for people who can afford them. They consider electrical power a great blessing – but only when private power companies procure their unearned profits. They think the American standard of living is a fine thing — so long as you are a billionaire and it is not spread to all the people. They admire the government of the United States — so much that they would like to buy it.

We really need to remove this emerging authoritarian leader named Trump and then work towards cleaning up our planet, ending racism, conquering COVID, fixing our economy, praising our press, reuniting immigrant children presently locked in cages with their families, replenishing our federal governmental agencies, embracing our international allies anew and a return to decency, kindness, and truthfulness. What have Trump and his complicit Republican accomplices done in the last four years that could be termed positive for the American people and for our democracy? The answer would have to be “absolutely nothing.’ Thanks for publishing this editorial.

Chuck Lando

Escanaba