[Ed. note: This letter refers to the My View “Socialism doesn’t work and history proves it,” which can be read at https://www.riverreporter.com/stories/point-socialismdoesnt-work-and-history-proves-it,273448.]

Socialism depends on taxes. Each government level uses that money in various ways.

So I suppose the following are some examples of local government socialism: public libraries, public schools, departments of public works, police departments, fire departments (though many are volunteer, their vehicles are paid for by the local government), parks departments, children’s recreation programs—and I’m sure you can think of other similar examples.

The difference between the socialism that critics bemoan and democratic socialism is that we voters can choose how public officials (paid by taxes) use our taxes. The problem is often that the majority of eligible American voters don’t vote. The highest percentage is only about 60 percent, and that percentage has been as low as 40 percent. It’s simple: If you don’t want democratic socialism, vote; if you want democratic socialism, vote.

James Shelley
Damascus, PA