Place for All Creeds

The presidential election is just a handful of days away, and I hear terms such as Muslim and Socialist used to denigrate candidates.

I think of America's tradition of welcoming everyone to its shores, a tradition which is respected all over the world. The best of America lies with those who made and who preserve that tradition, who respect the diversity of their brethren. There is no place in this tradition for those who try to turn us against groups of upright people, because of the sins of a few.

Socialism is a term which serves as an umbrella for different political philosophies, but the essential spirit is that of a concern for the welfare of our brothers and sisters. In my opinion, the terms socialism and capitalism are not mutually exclusive, and aspirations for a melding of both should not be deplored.