SOCIALISM: Not a dirty word

The word “socialism” is often used as a negative label in the Letters to the Editor as well by the POTUS on Tuesday night, as in “socialism destroys nations.” That depiction of socialism is so contrary to my experiences that I feel I have to protest.

The term is used in so many and different contexts that Wikipedia claims this one word cannot cover all the meanings, some of which are contradictory. And, yes, it is a word that is included in the Nazi acronym. But it has also been used positively as a contrast to unbridled individualism, to denote emphasis on the community, the welfare of the people and equality.

In Norway, socialism is the accepted goal of government, free medical insurance for all, free higher education, wages decided by merit and degree rather than sex or seniority and there was not much of a difference between the EO and the staff. Factories were given grants in rural districts where needed to keep the worker families in their own homes. And, no, the tax levied by the government was not exorbitant. The factory paid a 6% tax and the wages were not garnished more than 40%. Property tax on residents’ houses was kept to the minimum until sale of the property.

Then oil was found. The large profits went to building roads and bridges but a good share was put into a trust to benefit those who were born after the oil was gone.

There is a reason the Scandinavians are rated as some of the happiest people here on Earth. That might be a result of the type of socialism practiced there.

ELLEN LARSEN

Rathdrum