The Democrat has been even more interesting than usual for the last couple of days. Wednesday’s issue reported that certain citizens of Natchez were demanding more services, while the Thursday edition pictured two men carrying two very interesting signs; the first was a facsimile of the “rattlesnake” flag from the American Revolution, the second began, “Taxed Enough Already!”and went on to present a logical syllogism that indirectly linked higher taxes with “facism.” (sic — mine, not The Democrat’s)

In addition to learning how to spell fascism, the citizens of the area need to learn some of the most basic lessons of economics 1013. The first lesson in that course is “the law of supply and demand,” but the second lesson must surely be “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” In other words, if we want more government services, then somebody has to pay for them. Applied to local situations, that would mean that any area of our city that wants better drainage or streets should expect its property taxes to rise accordingly.

Now, thinking above the local level, do higher taxes really lead indirectly to socialism? And is socialism really to be equated with fascism? Let’s consider them separately: Socialism, what is it? Well, strictly speaking, socialism is government involvement in anything other than its historical roles in border control, national defense and interstate commerce. That would include things like building roads, operating public educational or health facilities, or providing aid in time of disaster. That means that our nation has been socialistic for a very long time.

President Roosevelt was able to push several measures through congress that were undeniably socialistic, like the great dams that were built out west and the Tennessee Valley Authority. If we think about it, those projects were vital in the Allied victory in WWII. Because of Roosevelt’s socialism, America had the means to produce the aluminum to build the planes that were so vital in the defeat of the enemies of freedom — the truly fascist states in Italy, Germany and Japan.

Other results of Roosevelt’s socialistic policies were the rise of compensation for workers, the rise of America’s great middle class, and the control of outrageous practices by corporations, banks and big business.

Face it! America has been socialistic since the days of FDR. And our nation is far better off for it, unless you are a robber-baron or some other exploiter of the working class. We drive blithely across socialistic bridges on socialistic roads.

So, who paid for all that? The answer for Roosevelt was simple, a highly graduated income tax that could be properly compared to the legendary Robin Hood. It took money from the wealthy to finance projects that were for the public good — especially the good of those who could not otherwise afford such things.

Of course, since the days of President Reagan, much of this has been undone. Big business, equity traders and bankers were de-regulated, and labor union activity was left at the mercy of business. The results of the “Reagan Revolution” could have been predicted: compensation of workers has declined, the middle class has shrunk, and crisis has followed crisis as banks, stock traders, mortgage brokers, and savings associations have run amok.

Now, about fascism according to Webster, fascism is a system of government by a group (or “bundle”) that is headed by a dictator with absolute power.

I find that many people use the term “fascist” these days, but I doubt they actually know what the term means. Those who really understand the word “fascist” understand immediately that America is in no danger of having a presidential dictator. Nor is a dictatorship of the congress a likely thing.

Our system is not perfect — it is, after all, human. But our system is by far the best that exists. So let’s be sensible, knowing that somebody has to pay for government services, voting in a wise and informed manner, and demanding that the taxes we pay be used carefully, responsibly, and to good purpose. And, finally, as much as we hate it, we must never forget the entirely true old adage — “nothing is sure but death and taxes.”

William Johnson

Natchez Resident