Many things in our country make it socialist, including military, police force, fire department, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, public schools, public transportation.

Let us not forget it was socialism that got us out of the Great Depression, whereas unregulated capitalism is what got us into it. Many people never would have survived the Great Depression if it were not for those New Deal policies enacted by the FDR program.

Also did you know it was a socialist who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance? He was also a Baptist preacher. So if socialism isn’t in good standing with Christianity, what about these following Bible verses?

“How terrible for you who are rich now, for you have had your easy life and will get no more…” — Luke 6:24. “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” — Matthew 22:21.

Republicans would have us believe that paying taxes is a horrific idea. They don’t want to pay into social benefits because it violates their “freedom,” but what of their God’s commandment to pay taxes? “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

GARRETT SCHWARTZKOPF

Coeur d’Alene