Alternative to socialism?

Our community seems to be defined by those who want to make a better life for everyone, and those who see those actions as socialism.

Our country has the worst record for providing health care, education, public transportation, housing, and on of any major industrialized country in the world. Whenever someone compares us to England, Germany, Sweden or Canada, the response is, “Socialism!”

So, my question for all the free trade, minimal government, trickle down wealth advocates: Which countries do that and have everything mentioned above? Can’t name one? So why should we accept the “trust us” from the politicians who reject universal health care, debt-free education, public housing, and on?

There’s no proven model to show that making things worse by taking those things away will result in a better GDP and quality of life for the majority of the population. Healthy, educated, employed people increase productivity, and they spend money. Unemployed, sick homeless people don’t.

Maybe we should give a few “socialist” programs a try and see what happens instead of relying on voodoo economics to sort things out.

Steve Peck

Spokane