The people's voice., 1959-10-02
J WHAT DO YOU THINK?
By GRETCHEN G. BILLINGS

One is that we seem to think we can
eliminate communism. Can we? This
is an ideology-it is a creation of
mans mind-and ideas can not be
killed, though they may take form
under different names at different
times. Since the beginning of time
physical violence has never killed an
idea. Democracy will triumph over
communism only by making democ-
racy work better, and the struggle
is forever.
We need faith, Imagination, vision
and courage to meet the challenge of
communism. Faith that is shallow, dry
and sterile is no match for any COM
peting theology, much less fanatical
one.
1t is pipe-dreaming, I believe, to
take the attitude that Russia can not
accomplish the same economic, social
and chronological feats the United
States can. They seem to have ac-
quired zest for international COM
petition that characterized the early
American democracy that was pooh
poohed by the Old World back in
1776. There is only one element that
matters in this whole thing as I see
it-and that is democracy versus to-
talitarianism. For, once the Russians
attain the economic and social status
of the United States what is there
except our political freedom? T.
I was also glad to see Nelson Rookie
feller straighten out the point about
capitalism versus communism. No
body could handle such a question as
we'll as the Millionaire New York Gov
ernor. While his press release was
aimed at the Soviet Premier, at the
same time he may have Strengthened
out some of our own commentators
who talked about capitalism versus
communism. Gov. Rockefeller said
this country does not have capital
lstic system of government we
have democratic system capital
ism is the economic and financial pro-
cess which functions within our demo-
cratic system.
Although the fate of our democracy
may well depend on the pliability, or
ack of it, of the capitalistic economy,
hey are not per Sc one and the same
hing. Democracy is our method of
sovernment-capitalism, says Web
'ter, is: an economic system in which
capital or capitalism play the prin-
,ipal part; the concentration of cap
tai; the power or influence of cap
tai as when in the hands of few.
Technically, of course, we don't
operate as a true democracy at all
we are a Republic. The truly great
democratic process is at the grass
oots and local level in the people-to-
'eople contacts and actions that are
to our elected represent
tives.
We aren't going to win the battle
L democracy versus communism by
flowing ourselves to be deluded by
and the impression
hat we have at hand Utopia
hat because Russia is still primitive
y our standards she always will
e
Great armies have never won
1ar against an inspired people
SIX King George V.
Militarism never produced a dyna-
lie, growing social structure.
The ideas behind democracy are
reatlve-lf we continue along our
resent path our only choice may be
hich form we wish our human misery
, take.
The strength of democracy is that
is the method by which we can
eet the needs of time and people
. change is constant and no ism
an conquer for long the desire of
an for freedom of choice, but the
ght is now and forever and ever.
Life is 1o,oc 1oeeor -,