In response to the letter titled “Russia enjoys seeing us mired in muck” (TRN 04/11/2018, I would like to offer some facts requested by Mr. Shusteff. 

The “Communist Manifesto” was published by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848.  The original 10 goals are listed in Part 2, titled “Proletarians and Communists” and emphasize ways to destroy Capitalism. 

Over time the goals have expanded and for anyone interested can be found in the 1963 Congressional Record – Appendix, pp. A34-A35 January 10, 1963. These goals are enumerated in a book entitled “The Naked Communist” by Cleon Skousen. These appear to be the goals cited by Ms. Gorham.

To make the statement that “Communism is dead and no longer exists except for the name” is to deny the reality in the world today. There are currently five communist countries in the world today. They are China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Viet Nam.  Observe closely the wannabee communist country of Venezuela.

It is true that the bedrock of communism, the Soviet Union, is no more and the European countries they dominated are no longer considered communist countries. There are countries with ruling communist parties, but these countries also have other competing parties and communism is not enumerated in their constitutions.

Communism, socialism and humanism are all closely related with many similar goals and differ mainly in the methods used to achieve them. The overriding goal of them all is to destroy capitalism and the property system and subjugate the people to despotic rule. We as a country are far down the road to socialism. 

If you have not been paying attention, socialists have infiltrated our colleges, our schools, our government, our media and our churches under the time honored -wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are known as liberals, leftists, progressives and Democrats.

For those who trumpet the facets of socialism/Marxism and their systems of servitude of the masses, Samuel Adams, a Founding Father had these words; “Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.  May your chains sit lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”   

-- Arnold Oliver, Wichita Falls