As a former history teacher, I object to being called a “socialist / communist teachers’ union” in Terry Traub’s letter. I object to the idea that I have brainwashed or brainwashed my students.

There were misconceptions in his letter. First, Eugene Debs, founder of the American Socialist Party in which he ran for president in 1904, 1908, 1912 and 1920. Note that three of the elections took place before the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the rise of the Communism.

Theodore Roosevelt was elected president as a Republican. He adopted many progressive ideas: the Pure Food and Drug Act (1906), the national park system, and antitrust laws. In 1912 he introduced himself as a progressive.

The platforms of political parties change over time. In the 1860s, Republicans were anti-slavery and Democrats were pro-slavery. In the 1950s, Republicans were against civil rights and Democrats were for civil rights. There was a Democratic Socialist Party in the 1900s, but it was not affiliated with the Democratic Party.

We do not have generations of uninformed or uneducated people. To earn a high school diploma, you must follow the history of the United States. In the past, you also had to take civic / government education classes.

If I had to choose the most “socialist” president, it would be FDR. We have a socialist social security system.

In the past, people with deformities showed up for a living. The blind begged in the streets. You might consider Clean Air / Clean Water to be acting as socialist / progressive. I like to breathe clean air / drink clean water.

JUANA PERLEY

Coeur d’Alene