Regarding Dr. Joel Last’s letter “Capitalism is on the right side” (Jan. 30, TribLIVE): I didn’t read Larry Josephs’ letter “Socialism vs. fascism” (Jan. 16, TribLIVE), which he was responding to, but fascism is on the far right. Fascism is far-right, authoritarian ultra-nationalism with dictatorial power of strong autocratic control. Dr. Last selectively defined fascism.
From the 1920s, communism and fascism were and are defined as opposite political philosophies. Republicans identify as the party of the right and always call out Democrats as leftists, communists and socialists. Last’s dictionary definitions of capitalism, communism and socialism are in economic terms; his fascism definition isn’t. It appears as a spin-off definition.
I wish I had a dollar every time President Trump and Republicans refer to antifa as the boogeymen of the left. Antifa is, in fact, a left-wing, anti-fascist, anti-racist political movement relative with anarchy: a left-wing ideology (ex. libertarianism).
No, Dr. Last, anarchy is not extreme right, as you falsely describe. To reiterate, it is extreme left, and fascism extreme right.
Do you think he doesn’t know his right from his left?
Frank Zalakar
South Greensburg