Confusion over communism and democratic socialism

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OPINION — Lately I have been reading letters to the editor criticizing democratic socialists.

First of all, socialism is not communism. These individuals fail to understand the differences. Socialism is a form of government which believes in programs that help average people have a decent life. This includes universal healthcare and government-funded daycare along with helping low-income people struggling in today’s economy. They do not want to defund the police.

Communism, on the other hand, is a form of governance in which the state controls mostly all of what its citizens are allowed to do including where they work, go to school and where they choose to worship.

Democratic socialists want to make life better for its citizens. They do not want to take away our freedoms.

Under the Trump administration the cost of living has skyrocketed to a point where many people can’t afford basic necessities. They must choose between buying groceries or paying their electric bill. However, because of tax cuts and loopholes, those in upper income brackets can continue to live very comfortably.

The  latest cut to the Headstart program is just another example of Trump decimating a program that has given millions of low-income children and their families a chance at a better life.  Under this administration we are becoming a nation where so many are struggling to just afford providing for their children.

Having immigrated here as a child from Sweden, I often hear my relatives wonder why the U.S.,  the richest country in the in the world, doesn’t provide the basic government programs that  their country believes are standard. They are not run by a communist form of government – it is often referred to as democratic socialism.

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