Letter to the editor: America was built on capitalism not socialism

A “Christmas Tree” bill is one that gives something to everyone, thus eliminating most opposition. This clever political approach often succeeds in spite of philosophical differences.

The Obama administration has passed through the Democratic Congress “Christmas Tree” (stimulus) bills, the magnitude of which has yet to be realized. It is equivalent to spending a million dollars a day for 2,000 years (unbelievable!).

North Dakota’s Democratic congressmen (all three) are now publicly promoting the “virtues” of these stimulus bills by telling us how much better off we will be with this left-wing legislation, even though we are one of five states without fiscal problems. Even our governor has not made a stand on this issue (perhaps here it is a political “hot potato”). Our state Legislature is also giving in to the “stimulus” trap. By accepting these “stimulus” dollars, North Dakota is endorsing the socialistic plan as proposed by President Barack Obama’s administration. With North Dakota’s high productivity and low unemployment and fiscal position we really are the envy of the nation.

The United States is rapidly approaching that of a socialistic state. The federal government will soon control all phases of our lives including health care, education, banking, housing as well as agriculture and manufacturing. This then is unadulterated socialism.

America was built on capitalism with free enterprise. We recognize and reward innovation and hard work. We must cling to that concept or our future is lost.

Ben Tollefson

Minot

Tags: opinion, letter, socialism, economy