GUS MAROSCHER,
Sir, - Aidan Hehir of Limerick (July 2nd) takes an interesting approach to defend socialism: he points to the recent corporate financial illegalities in the United States.
Mr Hehir asks: "Is it not inevitable that a system which conditions people from birth to crave material goods, pursue profit at all cost and venerate the wealthy will breed people who do not respect either the rule of law or any moral codes of conduct?"
Since when did disrespect of the law and moral codes become the eminent domain of the US and presumably other capitalist societies? And when did nations of the socialist persuasion become as pure as driven snow? How often must we be reminded that nationalised industries produce either shoddy and/or overpriced products? And is selling such inferior goods not stealing from the consumer?
Allow me to respectfully submit that Mr Hehir has chosen thievery, one of the basest of human behaviour, as the whetstone to sharpen his anti-capitalistic axe. Socialist psycho-babble aside, there is a cure for stealing, be it in a socialist or capitalist society: doing hard time behind bars. - Yours, etc.,
Gus Maroscher,
Marion,
Illinois,
USA.