Ivan Petrovich Pavlov developed the principles of classical conditioning that have led to the further development of innumerable behavioral therapies that still serve us well. Leave it to this administration to use the principles of classical conditioning to reverse the process and use Pavlov’s principles not to heal America, but use classical conditioning to get votes through instilling fear and loathing. Pavlov’s famous dog experiments led to dogs salivating to the bell rather than food. Our president is using the dog whistle of “communism” to frighten Americans into voting for him even in the absence of the actual threat. This Administration is banking on the American’s voting on the intelligence level of Pavlov’s dogs. 

The United States has always been and will re-continue to be a form of regulated capitalism. Our Democracy and the Bill of Rights assume a level of individual freedom and understood the difference between freedom and a free-for-all. Right now we, the United States have a private person sitting at a public desk using that office to reap billions into private accounts in the shape of a free-for-a-few binge. The Democrats are beginning to experiment with the other 20’th century meme called Socialism. The administration countered by hyphenating Communist-Socialist. Will it work? Maybe. If you are going to make a good decision with your vote this writer recommends you avoid basing your decision on 20th century terminology and assumptions. Using 20th century memes can only divide the nation into fourths rather than by two. Very few people I know have ever and will ever look more deeply into what those terms actually mean. All that can be said here is the only evil that ever emanated from the terms ‘communist’ and ‘socialist’ originated from the persons who applied them and not the concepts themselves. 

Modest proposal for good

Again, make a good voting decision. Here is some advice using Pavlov’s classical conditioning. Whenever you hear the term “communism” as a threat in a political speech stick your finger down you throat and gag. Soon you will not have to use the finger but will immediately gag in repulsion by having a politician insult your intelligence. As for Socialism just roll your eyes because all they are talking about is regulated capitalism with a truly public sector. We are a smart nation of people that has forgotten to read for themselves but let someone else’s algorithms select the basis for what we will think. Too many have forsaken thinking for themselves and their families. We need to concentrate on the actual day to day, hand to mouth interests of our community and nation. We are a democracy in reasonably limited and regulated capitalistic system in a free country. We can do this together. Don’t let the pirates steer the ship. That would be good. Happy Birthday America