Progressives mischaracterized

In Sean Mahar’s letter, (“Liberty at stake,” March 13), he claims socialism is: “A system or condition in which the means of production and distribution are owned by the state.” This is false. The Scandinavian countries have been socialist for over 70 years do not have governments that own either.

He also implies that Progressives and socialists are the same and that our president is a Progressive and is trying to destroy our Constitution. He is not a Progressive. However, Teddy Roosevelt, William Taft and Woodrow Wilson were.

He states Progressives want to take away our rights. How does that reconcile with the fact that Progressives were the first national political movement to fully support women’s right to vote and led the fight for the 19th Amendment? We also led the fight to have senators elected by the people instead of being appointed by the vested interests.

Progressives have always had as their goals the welfare of the working man and woman, labor’s right to organize and collective bargaining. A fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. We know in order for the working class to survive a strong capitalist system must prevail. A fair system, not an oligarchy.

Johnny Erp

Spokane