The result of the presidential election will likely indicate to what degree we, as people of the USA, are embracing socialism. Democratic nominee Barack Obama keeps emphasizing what the federal government, under his leadership, will do for us. The false presumption is that the government knows what’s best for us. Taxation has always been the means by which the bureaucracy can get the money to enforce their policies.

Sen. Biden said in the VP debate, “It is patriotic to pay higher taxes.” Since our government is bleeding of corruption, I believe it is unpatriotic for us to elect someone who’ll raise taxes.

For decades, Congress has shown that they have no conscience when it comes to throwing away tax money on frivolous pork barrel projects and welfare. Accountability is not a passing consideration. They just enjoy getting the money and spending it on whatever suits them.

Sen. Obama said he will only raise taxes on the wealthy. He has voted for every tax increase set before him that affected nearly everyone. If you think paying higher income taxes is patriotic, vote for him.

Don’t gripe when you get your payroll or Social Security check, and you’ve found the government has taken another chunk of your money ... to hire more employees who will help pass your money on to someone who has done nothing to earn it. The result will be ... we’ll be one step closer to a socialist state. At that point we’ll have a new breed of empowered, self-righteous elitists at the top. They’ll forcibly be telling us what to believe and how we should live.

Terry Godwin

Ottumwa