Socialism jeopardizes liberty

What is this new American love affair with socialism? Have we forgotten the “great” socialist leaders of the past?

In the 20th century, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot and Castro were all socialists. They killed or enslaved hundreds of millions of people.

Concentrated power in a central authority corrupts (see “Animal Farm,” by George Orwell). Socialism legalizes violence against the owners of property. When your property rights are abolished, the government determines who owns what. Your money, real estate, stocks, bonds, banks, factories, etc., are “redistributed” according to the wishes of “wiser” bureaucratic tyrants. It is not a free and mutual exchange of property. If you don’t voluntarily give up your property, these redistributions are enforced with guns. More government, more violence, less freedom; it is that simple.

Our schools should be teaching the history of freedom, instead of demeaning the principles of our founding (Jim Hollingsworth’s letter, “Youth being led astray,” May 24).

One of our founding principles is that all power is inherent in the people. Power is from the bottom up, not the top down. “We the People” are guaranteed property rights in the 5th and 14th amendments. Let’s not abandon freedom for more government.

Tom Dillin

Sandpoint