Kathleen Parker’s Aug. 2 column, “Wanted: A voice of reason on socialism,” argued that capitalism, with a little tweaking, remains the best economic system. But an economic system that allows some to accumulate enormous wealth while others struggle to meet basic needs cannot be considered an unqualified success.
The failures of Fidel Castro’s Cuba and other communist regimes are undeniable. But as Parker rightly alluded to, there is a false choice in assuming that the only options are laissez-faire capitalism or state socialism.
For more than a century, Catholic social teaching has charted another course. Pope Leo XIII, Pope Francis and now Pope Leo XIV have defended private enterprise while insisting that markets must be governed by moral principles and directed toward the common good, especially the needs of the poor and marginalized.
The real challenge is not to champion one economic ideology over another, but to build an economy that rewards initiative while ensuring prosperity serves everyone.
John Mudd, Washington
The writer is a retired Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Washington.
Kathleen Parker’s Aug. 2 column noted that “socialism, Marxism and communism … are not the same, though there are overlaps.” Yes, socialism and communism are linked, but only because Karl Marx said so.
Under Marxist theory, history progresses from feudalism to capitalism to socialism. Then, once a socialist state is attained, that state somehow withers away, leaving pure communism in its stead. According to Marx, socialism is a means to the communist end.
However, history has shown the state does not wither away. Those in power, socialists included, tend to hold on to power. For this reason, there has never been a true communist state — not the Soviet Union, not Cuba, not Venezuela, not China.
Furthermore, Democratic socialists do not want the state to fade away. After all, if that happened, their ability to control the economy and therefore control the populace would wither away with it. It is incorrect to pejoratively call them communists. Socialist control is their end, not their means.
Vincent A. Jankoski, Silver Spring
Some of my fellow Republicans have taken to calling democratic socialists communists. Hurling insults as political discourse is a cowardly attempt to avoid debating ideas. Communism is different from socialism, and those doing the hurling know it.
I believe in free markets and capitalism but am not so naive as to think that the system is perfect. Capitalism produces the greatest amount of aggregate wealth; however, it doesn’t care how that wealth is distributed, doesn’t care about the environment and is disproportionately concerned with the short term. The United States’ brand of capitalism can be improved. It can, and should, be made to work better for everyone. Whether that can happen as a result of a move toward democratic socialism or by releasing the free market from government intervention is a debate worth having. Hurling insults is no substitute for an open and respectful debate of ideas.
Donald Parker, Concord, Massachusetts
The writer is a public policy instructor at Harvard University’s Division of Continuing Education.
Stronger e-scooter safety rules needed
I am a longtime Washington resident, and I have been increasingly concerned about the growing safety risks posed by electric scooters. Every day, I see children riding e-scooters on sidewalks at high speeds, often without helmets, reflective gear or adult supervision. Seniors, people with disabilities and families with young children should not have to worry about being struck while simply walking through their neighborhoods.
The recent death of a young child in a scooter crash, which was reported in the July 25 Metro article “9-year-old boy killed in Northern Virginia crash,” is a heartbreaking reminder that we must do more to protect children.
Though e-scooters are a convenient form of transportation, convenience should never come before safety.
District leaders should review existing scooter laws and consider stronger safety measures. These could include raising or enforcing the minimum riding age, enforcing helmet requirements for minors, increasing enforcement against reckless riding and expanding safety education in schools.
We all want safer streets and sidewalks. I hope elected officials will take action before another family experiences an avoidable tragedy.
Jamilyaa Canty-Mahdi, Washington
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