How much socialism do we want?

To the editor: There is already government help for those who can no longer work or are living in poverty even though they work — Medicare, Social Security (paid long after the amount paid in by the employees during their working years), public school through grade 12, disability aid, Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps.

So do we want to add government-owned businesses, government health care, child care, and a free college education? Sounds wonderful, but there must be a catch. What sacrifices does it involve? A good example is the country Sweden, with among the highest income taxes in the world. Unbeknownst to many, they have a capitalist system with a high degree of private ownership. Their political ideology is socialist but their economy is capitalism. Sweden learned that the middle class also must be taxed to pay for health and higher education, and therein lies the problem because the extremely high taxes result in the middle class ending up on the bottom rung of the ladder.

Thomas Jefferson, our third president from 1801-1809, wrote the Declaration of Independence. He said all men are created equal, therefore they have certain unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is America’s unalienable right to have the ability to defend itself and its allies from terrorists from within and enemy nations from without. If we are to spend the taxes on making our lives utopian, where will the funds come from to hold back those who would destroy our country?

As for me, I revere this meaning of the president’s words.

I believe in helping those who cannot work for a living, and educating children through the twelfth grade, but after that I want to be able to defend my country at all costs.

And I say, dear God, bless my America. Make us fit into your image that we may be your truly chosen people.

Anita Ransome-Kuchler Waukesha

What the critics don’t get about ‘No Kings’

To the editor: Conservatives can’t seem to understand the issues the "No Kings" protesters are calling out. Let me explain.

Trump has: Deployed the military against Americans in U.S. cities, threatening to weaponize the military to attack anyone deemed to be a political opponent.

Sent masked ICE agents to grab brown people without due process and deport them to other countries or put them into American concentration camps.

Attacked our freedom of speech by threatening legal action against media companies and news organizations.

Exploited emergency powers to circumvent laws and enact illegal policies, including tariffs and military strikes.

Withheld federal funding to assert political control over universities and government agencies.

Ignored Congress’ constitutional authority over tariffs, the budget, and military authorizations.

Weaponized the Department of Justice to attack political enemies and shield himself from prosecution.

Threatened states authority over their elections. and pushed for partisan gerrymandering to rig congressional elections.

Profited off his position by using "donations" and lawsuits.

Taken emoluments from foreign countries, including a jet airplane and a gold crown.

Demolished the East Wing of the White House, without the necessary approval, to build an unnecessary ballroom after assuring the public that the White House would not be touched.

There is so much more. Do you understand now?

Marcy Hotz Dousman

Democrats cling to failed Obamacare rather than reopen government

To the editor: In 2021, as part of the American Rescue Plan, the Democrats, in control of the White House and Congress, increased the Affordable Care Act subsidy eligibility to 400% of the poverty level. A family of four making up to $128,600 would receive a taxpayer-funded subsidy. Democrats voted for an expiration date of December 31, 2025, for this increased subsidy.

The Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, was originally promoted to reduce health care premiums for the average family by $2,500. Between 2013 and 2017, premiums doubled and deductibles increased. Obamacare was promised to be for U.S. citizens only. President Obama pledged not to sign the original legislation if it "added a dime" to our federal deficit.

We are now amid a government shutdown caused by obstructing Democrat senators who want you to bail out a failed government insurance program that they created. They want the Obamacare subsidies to continue past their own self-imposed deadline and add $1.5 trillion to our national debt which will be payable by you, your children and grandchildren. The subsidies will also still be available for non-U.S. citizens.

I do not expect the Democrat senators to admit their promises have been broken and Obamacare has failed as an affordable insurance plan, but they should be adult and rational enough to put their political interests aside and vote for the continuing resolution to fund and reopen our government.

John Surinak Delavan

Fitzgerald failing veterans, rest of us

To the editor: November 11 is Veterans Day, to thank and reflect on all our veterans have done for us. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald sees it as an opportunity to grandstand. He addressed the West Bend American Legion on Oct. 6, blaming the shutdown on the Dems despite his Republican party controlling the House, Senate, courts and White House. Not just hungry children, unemployed vets, unpaid federal workers, everyone feels the sting of the shutdown coupled with higher grocery prices.

Fitz made clear "VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers remain open. VA benefits will continue." Yes, as has been the case in previous shutdowns. Thirty percent of the federal workforce are veterans, Fitz included, but Congress gets paid! He said and did nothing about federal firings. Now unemployed, they feel betrayed by the Trump administration. Fitz spoke of legislation to help veterans with housing but maybe if they had a paid job, they wouldn't need help!

During shutdowns active duty, military, National Guard, and Reserves are not paid but must continue to report for duty. Some 23,000 Guard troops have been federalized by Trump since January, but the Department of Justice is accepting anonymous donations to fund our military during the shutdown. Whoah, that’s serious legal and ethical questions especially given Trump’s propensity of military takeover in blue cities.

Add to that, new hand-picked MAGA Pentagon reporters to keep the appearance of being pro-military. Through all this, Fitz says and does nothing. Department of Government Efficiency layoffs to the VA jeopardizes veteran health care especially lifesaving cancer trials. Yet, Trump has already outspent the money saved by Elon’s chain saw. For Fitz, it’s party first. Veterans’ problems have remained for decades despite superficial legislation. Post-traumatic stress disorder, gaps in mental health support, access to benefits for some, lack of transportation for the disabled, homelessness, all made worse by being unemployed and/or not getting paid. Fitzgerald will stay in the MAGA line ... that’s taking us all to hell.

Tim Connor Oconomowoc