Can Obama’s plan really be called capitalism?

People who want a public health-care option or believe housing is a right of all people or think bailouts are good ideas are not capitalists. Capitalism is an economic system based on free markets, private ownership in means of production. Capitalism encourages private investment in business with a profit motive. It also motivates individuals to work hard and gain unlimited prosperity (entrepreneurship). This system creates a system of competition improving costs and quality of goods and services. This is the system that brought Americans the best health-care system in the world and endless opportunity for those who work for it.

Socialism is a system of social organization in which the means of producing or distributing goods is owned collectively by a centralized government. The government plans and controls the economy. It is a stage in Marxism between capitalism and communism.

Communism is collective ownership of all property. Oligarchy is a form in which the ruling government belongs to a few people, or a dominant class.

Fascism is led by a dictator who forcibly ends opposition.

The Obama administration is pushing for a national plan that private insurers can't compete with. The government owns/controls car companies and owns 57 percent of all mortgages (Fannie and Freddie). Obama has surrounded himself with czars who report only to him. Checks and balances are being eroded in the latest policies.

Where is America headed?

Brandy Schurbon

Ely