Dear Editor

I read politician Rick Scott’s plan for America. If you read it in detail there is reason for concern. For example, Point 5 on the Economy and Growth says it’s aimed at avoiding poverty and oppression, but what does it imply? I read it as taxing the middle class more with no mention of billionaires dodging taxes. It sounds like a lot of federal programs might bite the dust: medicare, medicaid, social security, earned income tax credit, perhaps even the VA.

It sounds like speeding through permits with no citizen oversight, like protections for our drinking water and our forests (that keep our regional water table charged). It says socialism (government programs?) will be treated as a foreign combatant, meaning what? You can be shot for your political beliefs in this free country? Suppressing freedom of association (an individual’s right to join or leave groups voluntarily, the right of the group to take collective action to pursue the interests of its members)?

I well understand strenuous disagreement with others’ views, I well understand the fear of domination, but no politician has the right to give away our country to corporations, to declare their political enemies the enemies of the state, to take away programs on which many depend without ironclad requirements that corporations replace them. I love God. I love America. But in the name of God and America, Scott’s plan is heartless — and dangerous.

Buyer beware. Look under the hood of politician’s promises, whatever their party. Ask what really is being given and what really is being taken away. Imagine that instead of the other guy being punished, it’s your family that loses rights and support.

Vicki Robin

Langley