Those of you who profess to be a socialist or want all the free programs this administration wants to give, think about the socialist dictator in Russia that is bringing terrorism in Europe and even in his own country.

In 1944, Norman Mattoon Thomas [is said by some to have] declared “The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But under the name of ‘liberalism’ they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened. I need no longer to run as a presidential candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democratic Party has adopted our platform.”

Margaret Thatcher once stated “Socialism is wonderful until the government runs out of the people’s money.”

Here are eight steps to create a socialistic state, [attributed by some to] Saul Alinsky, who Hillary Clinton did her thesis on (and were friends later). And former President Barack Obama quotes him in his book.

1. Healthcare — Control healthcare and you control the people.

2. Poverty — Increase the poverty level as high as possible. Poor people are easier to control and will not fight back if you are providing everything for them.

3. Debt — Increase the national debt to an unsustainable level. That way you are able to increase taxes, and this will produce more poverty.

4. Gun control — Remove the ability to defend themselves from the government. That way you are able to create a police state.

5. Welfare — Take control of every aspect (food, livestock, housing, income) of their lives because that will make them fully dependent on the government.

6. Education — Take control of what people read and listen to and take control of what children learn in schools.

7. Religion — Remove the belief in God from government and schools so the people will believe only that government knows what is best for the people. (Russia now.)

8. Class warfare — Divide people into wealthy and poor. Eliminate the middle class. This will cause more discontent and makes it easier to tax the wealthy with the support of the poor.

These eight controls have been coming true over the years. What matters now is if we who love this country will wake up and undo all the evil that has infiltrated our government, media, businesses, schools, churches and homes. And for each proud American to pray daily to withstand our daily war with socialism.

[Editor’s note: Bracketed segments added.]

Denise Haught

Williamstown