Letter from Ron Bishop

Republicans and Socialism Today

Republicans have been accusing Democrats since the 1930s of being communists (mostly untrue) or socialists (sometimes true). What’s new this election cycle is the practice of socialism by our Republican administration.

A recent analysis by the Cato Institute indicates that our federal government is part owner of 30 (formerly private) companies. Not all these acquisitions are minor in scale: Our 10 percent holding of Intel makes us that company’s largest shareholder. The “golden share” demanded by the Trump administration for approving Nippon Steel’s purchase of U.S. steel gives the U.S. government veto power over corporate decisions. Westinghouse, IBM/Anderon, Trilogy Metals, MP Materials, Global Foundries, the list goes on and on…

In the words of Tad DeHaven (Cato Institute), “The federal government is now acting as regulator, customer, financier and shareholder. Decisions involving contracts, trade restrictions, permits and additional subsidies can affect the value of its holdings.” This sets up massive conflicts of interest, AKA corruption, with the blessing of most congressional Republicans. Go figure.

Now, I do not equate all this administration’s shady business dealings with socialism. Requiring NVIDIA and AMD to send the Treasury 15 percent of the revenue from selling their chips to China in return for license approval was simple extortion. And the $13 billion of Venezuelan oil revenue captured in a U.S. Treasury account with zero accountability—that’s robbery.

When I was a Republican elected official 20-odd years ago, a vote for GOP candidates was usually a vote against socialism and for family values. That is no longer how things work: This administration openly practices socialism, and they are clearly a crime family. Neighbors, please vote by November 3rd, and let your conscience be your guide.

Ron Bishop
Cooperstown