Supporting freedom

To me, Democratic socialism is freedom. Economic freedom. And democratic freedom.

When you don’t have to worry about going into debt thousands of dollars to be treated for chronic illness or even having to come up with $50$100 in co-pays and more for deductibles to go to the doctor and are able to afford medication so a cold doesn’t turn into something worse, you have more freedom. When you don’t have to worry about losing your health insurance when you want to change jobs, you have more freedom.

When you don’t have to go into tens of thousands of dollars in debt to get a higher education, you have more freedom. If you’re in a union and don’t have to choose between better health care or higher pay, you have more freedom. If you don’t have to work two to three jobs on starvation wages and still have to go to food banks, you have more freedom.

When a black or Hispanic person doesn’t have to worry about being stopped by police just because of the color of their skin, you have more freedom. When children and babies are not being snatched away from their moms and dads and tossed into cages just because their parents want a better life for their family, you have more freedom.

When you don’t have to worry about being able to afford a decent home for you and your family, you have more freedom. Freedom to have more time with your family and friends. Freedom to go on vacations. Freedom to have more time to participate in democracy by voting or running for office.

This is why I now consider myself a Democratic socialist: because I support freedom.

PATRICK GRAY Searcy