Is America Inching Closer to Socialism?

"Modifying American capitalism in this financial crisis so that our system is more workable has nothing to do with socialism," one wrote. Another added, "This isn't indicative of a move to the left, but an ironic reminder that desperate times call for desperate measures." One reader from Canada chided us for using the term. "This isn't socialism. This is American capitalism at its absurd extreme."

A New Era of Big Government
Why run a sensationalistic cover headline such as "We Are All Socialists Now" (Feb. 16)? Your articles made a strong case that we have witnessed the end of the radical deregulation policies implemented by President Ronald Reagan and his successors. With the problems of unfettered free enterprise piling up and so many individuals and organizations getting hurt, a shift certainly has occurred. The headline should have read "We Are All Realists Now."
Ron Malzer
La Crosse, Wis.

As a European living in the United States, I find all this hysteria about "socialism" amusing. Believe me, America has a long way to go before getting anywhere near European-style socialism. This country has been brought temporarily to a halt by dumb and dishonest business practices, not by capitalism. What realistic alternative does the U.S. government have right now but to inject money into the system?
David Ballantyne
Raleigh, N.C.

We are socialists? Give us a break! I lived in two of those European countries that Americans disdainfully refer to as "socialist"; so-called because of the use of tax money to provide essential services such as health care and education that ensure that nobody is left behind. I can't think of a case in which the government took ownership of businesses that failed because of their own greed and stupidity. Then again, greed and stupidity are not considered virtues in these countries. A marriage of government with corporate interest is usually referred to as "fascism."
Povl Lasbo
Lopez Island, Wash.

Some educated people cite welfare and food stamps as examples of our government embracing socialism. These entitlement programs, among others, have helped soften some of the more egregious abuses of capitalism. At no time in our history has our government come close to owning the means of production. Indeed, TARP helps prevent the collapse of our most venerable capitalist establishments, and may be thought of as preventing the establishment of socialism here.
Carroll O. David
San Marcos, Texas

Against Prop 8: The Rebuttal
Richard Mouw says that because of his Biblical stance on same-sex marriage or sexual intimacy outside of marriage, he is "being relegated to the margins of civil dialogue" ("Less Shouting, More Talking," MY TURN, Feb. 9). I am sure that Mouw and all the other folks that voted for Prop 8 demand the right to choose for themselves whom they would like to marry. But then these folks turn around and deny that right to other taxpaying American citizens. I support Mouw's right to believe what he wants and to freely express those beliefs. I even support his right to stand on the street corner and preach to all those within hearing distance about his beliefs. What I don't support is his right to impose his beliefs, through law, on other citizens— to demand a basic cherished right for oneself and then deny this right to another group through his vote and legislation. Just as I may support the right of the imam of my local mosque to believe that women should be covered head to toe when they leave the house, I will actively resist any attempts that he might try to turn his belief into law, restricting my freedom of choice. We live in a republic that is based on the rule of law and protection of basic human rights. It is time that religious folks keep their hands out of our legal system and leave others' rights intact.
Gloria McClanahan
Asheboro, N.C.