Capitalism and socialism, interwoven in America’s economic fabric, are vital parts of our society’s makeup (“McCain’s Socialist Fallacy,” Kirsten Powers, PostScript, Oct. 24).
Capitalism creates wealth and jobs, but what kind of society would we be if we didn’t have Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid? Even insurance is socialistic in nature for those who can afford to buy it.
John McCain and the Republican Party show that they really are desperate when they begin to spread fears that socialism will dominate our way of life if Barack Obama is elected president.
It takes both capitalism and socialism to keep America running.
Paul Whiteley Sr.
Louisville Ky.
Powers’ denial of Obama’s socialist persona ignores the man’s own claims to be a progressive – long the radical left’s code word for “socialist.”
When “Socialism or Death” Fidel Castro endorsed Obama, he did so because he is the most progressive candidate for the presidency.
When the Progressive Hall of Fame is established, it will feature Henry Wallace, Alger Hiss, Paul Robeson, Angela Davis, Jane Fonda, Nancy Pelosi, George McGovern, Ramsey Clark, Noam Chomsky and others of their reactionary-left persuasion.
Jim Guirard
Alexandria, Va.
Obama’s desire to “share the wealth” is a classic example of taking money from the proper owner and transferring ownership of it to the state, so that the state can decide what to do with it. That’s socialism.
Politicians who want to earn my vote should embrace capitalism – the economic system based upon the recognition of every individual’s moral rights.
Mark Kalinowski
Manhattan
I would like to help Powers better understand what a group of tailgaters at the Giants game didn’t like about Obama’s tax plan. For four decades, welfare didn’t work to elevate people, so let’s not start it up again.
Many people either work two jobs or have a double-income household to make ends meet. We are not stupid enough to believe that with Obama’s health care, free college and spending initiatives, only those making over $250,000 will see their taxes raised.
There goes our American dream.
Powers can spin it any way she likes, but Obama’s plan sounds un-American.
Michael Patracuolla
Bloomfield, NJ