Cash To Go Away

Dear Editor,

From the writings of Kipling, a piece called Dane-geld (Google the term):

It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,

To puff and look important and to say: –

“Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.

We will therefore pay you cash to go away.”

If we are going to cave and pay these criminals Dane-geld, I have a much better idea for the exchange rate. For every attack on international shipping in international waters, an attack is made on five targets in the country responsible. Start with military targets, then go to infrastructure targets, i.e. power plants, nationally owned facilities, rendering airfields/airports inoperable (not attacking terminals, just runways), blockade ports (think JFK in the ’60s) to include stopping, boarding and seizing tankers and turning away tankers trying to pick up loads, seize financial assets.

I have always been and will continue to be for playing by the rules. What this means is if my opponent decides to play by their own version of the rules then I will do the same. This way they decide how the game gets played. What about the civilians? As I said, their rulers have set the rules so the onus is on them.

I know, I know, whiny little liberals (like _ _ _ _) will scream how we have to be better than them. These are their rules. They can change things at any time. It’s their call. While I would like to use the “Chicago way” – “They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue” – I know that is not acceptable to most people…at least until it begins to affect their comfort and security, then they start the transition to becoming a mob. (See New York and Chicago with the illegal alien invasion)

In short, they know we (read Uncle Joe) have no testicles or spine and will continue to be the bully until they get handed their fourth point of contact, (a paratrooper term…Google it) then they suddenly change their tune.

The average American has let themselves be led into this situation by our “professional politicians.” The majority of the blame falls on the lack of involvement of those average Americans. They can correct it.

Carpe diem,

Alan Marshall

 

Democrats Are Not Socialists

Dear Editor,

Terms such as socialist, Marxist and communist are favorite boogeyman terms for modern conservatives.  As with most things found in modern conservative circles, it is hyperbole used to stir up their base with fear.  Let’s start with the actual definition of socialism:

“Socialism is a political and economic theory advocating for collective or governmental ownership and control of the means of production, distribution, and exchange. In a socialist system, the goal is to achieve a more equitable distribution of wealth and eliminate or reduce class distinctions.”

Before we evaluate this definition to the party platform and actions of those in the democratic party, we must note that Democrats are a highly diverse group versus the autocratic nature of conservatives that must pledge loyalty to a single individual and his ideas.   So yea, on the extreme side there are some that identify as socialist in the democratic party.  The extremes do not define either party.

Democrats do not want collective or governmental ownership of private businesses.  Democrats do believe in regulation more than conservatives.  But both parties believe in regulation to keep private industry from hurting the public.  Note conservatives want to control how big tech algorithms return results for search and social media feeds.  Democrats just believe more in science and climate and environment and public health.  So nope….not socialism.

Democrats do believe in a progressive tax structure which has been a part of the US tax system since ratification of the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1913.  Both parties have and continue to support this tax structure.  So nope….not socialism.

Democrats do not believe everyone deserves the same wealth.  They do believe everyone deserves the same opportunity to the American dream.  Yes, this is controversial, but it is not socialism.  Republicans believe people are poor because they are lazy, and Democrats believe people are poor due to difficult life circumstances that are hard to overcome without support.  Democrats also believe in a safety net for when anyone faces hard times.   As always, I remind my modern conservatives that 70 percent of people receiving federal assistance (other than children, elderly and disabled) are working Americans and are temporary.   So nope…not socialism.

So nope.  Democrats are not socialists, communist or Marxists.  They simply believe and support the words of Christ to help those less fortunate.  If republicans believe letting children starve and homeless freeze to death is the answer…that is why we are a democracy and choose those who represent us in government.

Christian C. Rice

 

 

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