To the Editor:

I am writing in response to a letter in the TDB on Nov. 30, 2009 titled, Communism is close behind. The author must be Joe McCarthy reincarnated. For, like McCarthy, he sees a communist around every corner and under every rock.

In an earlier letter he claimed that Czars, a term used to describe heads of departments advising the White House, were the precursor of a communist take over of the government. When in fact under communism Czars were either executed or imprisoned for life.

He also explained how the Beatles, and Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones) were a plot by the Soviets, sent to America to subvert the youth of yesterday, who are now the socialistic leaders of today. My goodness. No matter that he misidentified Mick Jagger for Jim Morrison (The Doors).

In his current letter, Mr. Bilbrey contends that a bill being presented in Congress would give the Federal Emergency Management Agency the power to create internment camps (Gulags) out of abandoned military facilities. FEMA?

There has always been the ability of the government to suspend the constitution under a declaration Marshall Law. That, however, requires a vote of the full Congress. Since, as we all know, Congress cannot get together on anything we have little fear from that quarter.

The author paraphrases Benjamin Franklin, who in Poor Richards Almanac said quote, He who sacrifices liberty for security deserves neither. On this point Mr. Bilbrey and I fully agree. I would invite him to look at the previous administration and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

Finally Mr. Bilbrey claims that all the social programs are leading us into, yes, communism. Since he obviously feels very strongly about this issue (and I may add there is nothing wrong with that) I hope he boycotts and does not use the following: public education, the public library, the health department, department of social services, social security, medicare, fire, police and EMS. There are many more government run tax supported agencies. These are just a few.

In closing, a document unique in the world, called the Constitution, protects us through the judiciary system, by outlining our rights and freedoms. It has endured and protected us for over 200 years. I believe it will continue.

David L. Bivens