Headline destroys meaning of letter
Editor Bob Hall has misrepresented my letter to him by putting what is almost a quotation in a headline that pretends to be a summary — or maybe the really pithy point. The near-quote is this: “Capitalism doesn’t deliver.” That is not what I said. What I did say is “capitalism doesn’t deliver either.” A minor difference you say? Sort of like the minor difference between “moral” and “amoral.”
I had just finished referring to those who say that socialism “doesn’t work” and added the point that “capitalism doesn’t deliver either.” The Star’s abbreviated version of the “quote” turns my letter into another tired Cold War rant about capitalism vs. socialism. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Cold War is over although some would like to get it going again. In fact, I was writing you about free trade and Candace Batycki’s motion at city council regarding CETA. I did say that “The gee-whiz era of free trade is over.” That would have been a more honest characterization of my point. Socialism didn’t deliver. Neither did capitalism. Free trade has become a one-size-fits-all solution to the world’s problems, a slogan that covers up a lack of real thinking and prevents discussion. It’s time for new thinking. New thinking, not more of the same worn out guff.
Jim Terral
Nelson
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