Theory vs Reality

Kelly Niemi (“Capitalism vs. socialism,” Kelly Niemi, April 11) displays the problem that many people have. It’s not figuring out the difference between capitalism and socialism, it’s figuring out the difference between pure political theory and reality. The closest the world ever had to pure capitalism was Industrial Age Britain. Debtors’ prisons, child labor, early death for the working class, and so much more are what the right wing today pushes.

Britain, the U.S. and other civilized nations didn’t switch to pure socialism as it had just as many flaws. What they did is blend theories into a workable reality. Governments became referees, protecting business and workers alike. That included “socialist” programs such as the national highways, Social Security, fire and police departments that worked (though still problematically today) for more than just the rich, and far more.

The recent World Happiness Report lists the nations at the top as the ones who have a strong social safety net but also have strong, capitalist, economies. The U.S. is ranked 19th.

Americans who cry “Socialism!” do so to obfuscate the real issues in an attempt to support a return to the feudal system. Capitalism and socialism are theories, a strong society balanced the two.

David Teich

Spokane Valley