Readers’ Forum Mar. 15

185

Socialism has worked and can work

To believe that socialism has never worked ignores how socialistic the United States actually is. The United States has a lot of socialistic policies and programs that everyone would be outraged if they were taken away. One of the policies is that the government will give assistance to anyone who suffers from major disabilities. My cousin, who has Down syndrome, receives aid from a socialistic program. He even has Medicaid which is a socialistic program. If we were only a country that practiced capitalism, he wouldn’t receive any help and be expected to fend for himself if his family didn’t take care of him. My grandpa, who recently passed away, received Social Security for years after he retired. His health deteriorated to a point when he could only walk with a walker. Capitalism does not support the elderly. In a purely capitalistic system the elderly would be left to fend for themselves or be taken care of by their family. Socialism has been a large part of the United States, and it are the most successful country in the world. Socialism has worked and can work.

Lastly we need to be honest about taxes. To say that the rich is taxed up to 39.6 percent is simply not true. Mitt Romney, for example, paid less than 18 percent of his income in taxes. My father, who is not a billionaire, pays about 30 percent of his income in taxes. It is not unreasonable for the rich to pay what the middle class pays.

Capitalism is great, but when you embrace principles that Ayn Rand had about capitalism anyone who is needy will be harmed.

— Stewart Kasen
Denver, Colorado

Participate in caucus meetings

Every election year, LDS bishops read a letter from the First Presidency asking church members to attend their party caucus meetings. A caucus meeting is where neighborhoods gather to decide who will represent them in political conventions where candidates for government office are selected. As students at BYU, attending these meetings is an important part of our duty as citizens of the United States and members of the Church.

Jeffrey R. Holland said students at BYU receive a real education rather than just vocational training. In other words, this university was built not just to train students but to make them better. According to the mission and aims statement, influencing the community is part of this education. Caucus meetings are an opportunity for students to become part of their community.

As BYU students, we should participate in party caucus meetings because it will make us better people and improve our community. As students take part in the local political process, they will feel empowered throughout the election process. They will see their ideas become realities as they influence the world they seek to improve.

— Andrew Sandstrom
Pleasant View, Utah

More to life than dating

I have noticed conversations at BYU tend to revolve around dating experiences. To help those with limited dating experience, BYU students should extend conversations to more meaningful topics.

The truth is some people do not get married. Remember when President Uchtdorf told the story of Great-Aunt Rose who never married but found happiness elsewhere?

Is it our goal to make others feel left out? Hope not! Dating is not always a successful journey, so we should not be the cause of someone’s helpless and dismal feelings through our conversations. There is so much more to life than the dating life!

How can we be more sensitive to those around us? The answer: focus less on ourselves and more on those around us. Do they seem interested in the dating conversation or have they checked out? Listen to those around us and get to know them. Go beyond the surface — deeper than the dating life. Respect those who have unfavorable experiences by being aware of those around us.

— Catherine Miller
Auburn, Washington

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