Dear Editor:

Americans — THINK.

What kind of rule would you like to live under? Our forefathers wrote (This is a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.) So we the people of the United States of America are the government.

Social democracy has been the policy of the United States of America since the Constitution was implemented, no matter what administration may be in control or its party affiliation. Democracy cannot exist without social programs, quoting Encyclopedia Americana. Some Americans do not want a social democracy government for reasons they themselves probably do not understand because the word social scares them.

BE INFORMED. Policies, programs and agencies that are partially or entirely funded by taxpayer money are designated as social programs. Naming some, most government agencies and the people working for it from the bottom of the ladder to the top of the ladder, which includes the president of the United States and all the administration and staff and all of Congress and all of their staff — all the military works and personnel, most all law enforcement works and personnel, most all first responders including equipment and hospitals, firemen and fire hall buildings, most education departments and personnel, some travel and transportation departments and personnel, some parks and recreation departments and personnel, and the list goes on and on.

If these programs or agencies were privately owned and not funded by tax money, and you as an individual, used, needed, or just want them, you would have to pay extra or tolls. Many Americans are standing behind a person, who is at this time, the president of the United States of America, and has said this United States will never be socialist. This same president seems now to have all the tendencies of a dictator and change our government of the people for the people, and by the people, to a dictatorship ruled by him as he even uses Russian ruler Putin as his mentor.

Many Americans now refuse to wear a face mask and distancing from others when in crowds or gatherings as recommended to help from spreading the COVID-19 virus. Their complaint being no government or anyone is telling me what I can or can’t do. Who do they say no to when told to pay their income tax or sales tax or have to buy license plates to drive their vehicles on public roads, or have to have a driver’s license to drive on public roads, or have a hunting or fishing license to hunt or fish, or obey speed limits, or wear seat belts, or even wear clothes to cover private parts when in public. And the list could go on and on.

If you do want to live under democracy and don’t like some of the rules, they can be changed legally and legitimately by VOTING. In a democracy, usually, a majority, pro or con, wins or has the last word. Under a dictatorship you have no voice at all. It has no legitimate elections, all policies and rules are made and implemented by the dictator which is surrounded with loyalists picked only by the dictator, and anyone in opposition is most often put completely out of commission.

Consider Russia and the leader Putin. Anyone who follows or enables these leaders must be or want to be just like them. Note: If you play with a skunk, you will smell like one. So again, Americans, think. What kind of rule would you like to live under?

Thank you for considering this.

Ivan Wolfe

Powell