I am writing in response to the March 2 guest opinion “Repblicans, Fitzpatrick and socialism.”
The author holds the 188th Congress in contempt for forwarding House Resolution 9 to the Senate. Apparently, this resolution, which denounces the horrors of socialism, provoked this admonishment of the Republican Party, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for a perceived lack of Republican influence, and Speaker Kevin McCarthy for allowing such a resolution to reach the House floor, labeling it “revenge politics.” The author calls it as “divisive time-wasting resolution,” which is “poorly worded” throwing “every evil action in the world into the bucket of socialism.” The writer ultimately advocates, “we need to build an effective, efficient, federal government that can help us address undeniable and disastrous climate change...” Furthermore, he hypothesizes the Republicans “will scream ‘socialism’” in response to every important federal program that can help improve the lives of all Americans.”
I’d ask the author for an example of where and when socialism ever succeeded in an industrialized nation. He cited Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s apparent reference to “many of our allies have mainstream socialist parties in their parliaments.”
Yes, there are socialist parties through the industrialized world but I am confounded when searching for a successful socialist form of government or economy within any industrialized nation. Even Great Britain moved away from its failed form of socialist government and economy in 1985.
History reveals a likelihood of digression from a socialist government to a communist government. HR-9 is clear in its recognition of this dynamic: historically nations which have embraced socialism as their foundational form of government have ultimately collapsed into communism. It is the “mass murders” resulting from those communist regimes to which HR-9 refers. The author’s assertion that HR-9 links “all forms of socialism to mass murder” is disingenuous at best. If I may, I’ll borrow his descriptor of climate change, the mass murders attributed to the communist states are “undeniable and disastrous.”
I find it difficult to understand how an educated and informed American would hold such disdain for a congressional resolution denouncing socialism. Clearly, this author must maintain a different definition of socialism than I. However, while times change, principles do not. The failed principles of socialism are a matter of record and I am glad Congress finally has the courage to step forward to say so. I am particularly pleased Congressman Fitzpatrick supports this position. We are fortunate to have a congressman who demonstrates an ability to work with all perspectives and positions...which just may hurt his influence within the Republican Party. Hooray for him.
David R. Stacy lives in Solebury.
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