Contemporary American society has grown to stigmatize the very sound of the word “socialism.” Simultaneously, what hasn’t fallen into this same pit of disdain are the public roads, parks and services that we have grown to expect and even enjoy.
For those of you afraid of the Biden administration’s tax policy, take comfort in knowing that those same services we use to educate our children, alleviate poverty and create robust economic opportunity all derive from the “socialism” that is gawked about by your average Fox News commentator.
Socialism in its purest form is the seizure of the means of production in society. One should only be truly concerned if they see Gov.-elect Spencer Cox ousting Ryan Smith of Qualtrics in an attempt to commandeer private production. Socialism has only existed in its purest form on a few occasions in world history, and the American economic system will never make room for this seizure of industry.
What we can (and should) stand for is an increase in regulation on business that will disallow the discriminatory tactics of profit-seeking entities.
Parker Lester, Salt Lake City