It is way beyond my comprehension how anyone could possibly vote for Bernie Sanders, much less any of the others, but I mean really, Sanders. A proclaimed socialist who wants to raise taxes and give everything away, who doesn’t have a clue about running a country. Some of the things he says are almost laughable if he weren’t serious about it. 

If you can vote for a socialist, you need to do some research to see what truly happens in socialistic countries. He actually calls himself a democratic socialist. He’s not trying to hide it at all. 

He believes in climate change. I know there are many on both sides but if you go back into history, the climate has always changed back and forth and it cannot be controlled by man because God is in control. There have always been extremes in one form or the other and even some scientist debunk the notion. 

He wants to give everything away including free college and medicare for everyone without even considering the cost.While this appeals to some, especially those who don’t think it through, it is totally insane. You can be sure if the government wants to give you something for free, you will pay a cost somewhere and in some way. He also believes in universal healthcare, which is you check with countries that have it, does not work and sees many people die from waiting on treatments. 

Socialism is a form of government that controls everything — business – healthcare – energy and everything in between. He would gut the military, cutting that budget more than in half. 

History tells us that socialism leads to mass murder, poverty and oppression on a scale we cannot even imagine.Today’s candidates put the word “democratic” in front of socialist to make it more palatable to the masses. It is very unlikely that democracy could effectively constrain the abuses of this leviathan state, nor could it remain democratic in the end.

The proposals from this group would basically double federal spending if not more. This excludes the proposed new green deal endorsed by most of the democratic candidates. 

Besides increased spending, the socialist agenda advocates massive federal regulation. The government would control the lion’s share of economic resources. Socialism has not worked in the past and it will not work now, no matter what they say or call themselves.

When Sanders uses the example of other countries such as Denmark, he is incorrect. In fact Denmark’s prime minster tried to tell him that, but Sanders would not listen.

He and some of the others running have a long history of supporting authoritarian socialist regimes abroad. You can bet they wouldn’t even think about using those tactics in our country.

Nothing in the nature of socialism makes racial, ethic or religious prejudice disappear or even diminish, as they might have you believe, in fact it is just the opposite. It puts unpopular minorities at a great rick as their personal and social lives will be totally controlled by the government. For example, look at minorities in Ethiopia.

In addition it would take voter ignorance to a much higher level. Those in power would continue to have power, would continue to be rich and get whatever they want, while the citizens don’t even have the bare necessities. 

If elected the U.S.A. could rather quickly become the next Venezuela.Sanders and others will tell you this will not be the case, but history indicates otherwise. Don’t be fooled and don’t be gullible. Socialism is not the answer for any country. Before going into cast your vote, know who and what you are truly voting for but do go vote, while you still can. There may come a day when that right and privilege is also taken away if we go down the path of socialism. And the socialistic agenda is just part of it. Don’t get me started on abortion and everything else they believe in. 

All that glitters is not gold and free is not really free. Someone, somewhere pays for it dearly.

VICTORIA SIMMONS Is a columnist, author, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com