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Out with exile

The Spokesman-Review

Mr. McKinney’s thoughts (Letters, Jan. 17) hold no surprise for me. It strikes me as trite to again suggest self-imposed exile for American socialists who wish to have their opinions heard. (So 19th-century Europe!)

North Korea? Absurd!

Many conservatives wish to closely link any degree of socialism to totalitarianism, but socialism is an economic system, and totalitarianism is a political system. Apples and oranges, wouldn’t you agree?

Expert researchers have sleuthed out such numbers as these: The super-rich, those low-profile 14,000 families, hold the bulk of America’s wealth, as much as 90 percent. Should any of us presume that a representative number of these families has recently done as much for American society as Bill Gates? (I thank him for the Windows XP that I’m using.)

No, it’s the “family fortune,” old money – and the power that goes with it – which confers corporate ownership on a few, lobbyists at their beck and call, and persuadable politicians wanting a donation to their next campaign.

Those super-rich, being heavily invested in insurance companies and pharmaceuticals, don’t want health care reform at this time. And, doggone it, they’re about to get their wish, 40 million uninsureds be damned.

S. A. Johnston

Spokane



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