Socialism all around

President Trump in his SOTU message promised this country would not become socialist under his watch. Where has he been living the last 72 years? Socialism has been here for decades.

Let’s look at a few ways taxpayer funds are being used collectively to benefit society as a whole, despite income, contribution, or ability: Medicare, Social Security, public schools, military, highways, public libraries, police and fire departments, farm subsidies, public parks, GI Bill, Hoover Dam, student loans and grants. Of course, we can’t forget taxpayer support for salaries, medical care, and pensions for those in Congress. I don’t see anyone burning their Medicare cards in protest. I daresay the streets to Trump Tower came from taxpayer funds.

So spare me the cries of a socialist being around every corner threatening our society. There is socialism for the rich and poor, and everyone in between. It only seems to be a problem in election years when it is dusted off and branded un-American. BETTY McSWAIN

Fort Smith