I applaud and encourage Justin Cooper’s efforts to correct local socialists (BDN letter, July 10-11).

People taught me — and taught me well — that certain words were supposed to make me mad. I usually didn’t know what they meant, so I just went ahead and got mad anyway; my patriotic duty, I was told. “Socialist” was one of those words.

Someone has to keep all the big government, tax-and-spend, anti-Christian, union-loving, old hippie socialists with no family values in line. The lot seems to have fallen into capable hands.

We all know this country was founded on the God-given right to private property, and has been ever since we first stole it.

Keep the faith, Mr. Cooper. And peace, brother. Steve Kauffman Bangor