To the editor:
I've just witnessed a confrontation between young progressive-socialists and Oakland, Calif., police. These riots are about the "Man, War, Banks, and/or political elite." The end result is carnage and often loss of life. Beware the ugliness this year.
Progressive movements started in the early 20th century and flare up periodically. The top mega-rich, class-warrior, Franklin Roosevelt, pitted business, banks and the rich against unions and other chosen groups. His strategy won four elections without ending the Depression.
Explaining the current progressive-socialism smoke and mirrors to my grandchildren is tough. They cannot relate to FDR's world, where over half the population had no electric power and no forms of modern communications. It's hard to see through today's slogans such as "hope and change" or "ending partisan politics." Without specifics, these are hollow promises. With all-time-high partisanship (kudos to our "uniter" president), legislation benefitting all citizens is minimal; for 2012, the strategy is blaming everyone else and fire up class warfare, not the record.
Several of my grandkids will vote in November. Two believe it trendy to vote liberal and buy into the rhetoric that the "American dream" is for the rich. The implication is that "common" people are not privileged. We stress to them: study hard, set high goals and contribute to your community; you'll succeed.
I'd describe them from "middle-middle class" with Hispanic surnames. The oldest graduated from Amherst College with honors and received a Fulbright Scholarship. His sister is on the high honor roll. One of her top choices for next year is Smith College. Both kids realize that they need scholarships and loans to pay the bills, but they still don't fully appreciate the return on their education investments. It's time they understand there's no ceiling on their futures.
Instead of cheering the progressive, divisive strategies, they should look at the background of our current president. He comes from a maternal head-of-household, "middle-middle class" family. He was able to attend two prestigious Ivy League schools. Even as a minority, he's become president, but he's no FDR!
William Parker
Amesbury
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