Although I do not disagree with all of the anti-socialist conclusions proffered last week by Father Epps and Cal Thomas in The Citizen opinion pages, their arguments were very poorly constructed.
Father Epps seems enamored with the $1.4 trillion estimated for single payer healthcare, and he agonizes over the necessary tax increases to raise this annual sum.
Current healthcare spending in the United States is $3.2 trillion. Proponents of “Medicare for all” want the government to convert this current healthcare spending into universal healthcare spending. So Father Epps is actually making the case for single payer by touting its price tag at less than half of our current spending.
Likewise, Cal Thomas fears recent polling that shows the rising acceptance of socialism among America’s youth. He points to the failure of Venezuela’s anti-capitalist economic system to dissuade young adults of their misguided economic allegiances and calls them spoiled and misinformed (a sure-fired way to convince a foe).
However, for most young Americans who favor socialism, they tend to envision Western European economies like Germany, Britain, and France (the 4th, 5th, and 6th largest economies in the world) who offer universal healthcare, wage controls, etc. in their social welfare programs. Few consider Venezuela or China as a comparison standard.
Like Father Epps and Mr. Thomas, I support capitalistic economic policies; the problem is their spurious arguments.
If The Citizen wishes to provide an echo chamber for what everyone heard on Fox News the night before, you are doing an incredible job. However, if The Citizen wishes to promote substantive arguments that might actually persuade someone leaning toward socialism, argue the salient point:
Free markets with limited government interference (including tariffs) function more effectively for the non-rich Americans in the middle and lower socioeconomic classes than do government-run programs.
If you can’t substantiate that point, you have no argument. Of course, you could continue to preach to the choir.
Dave Aycock
Fayetteville, Ga.
