It’s 1984 again. Government servitude is freedom. Violence is a peaceful protest.

George Orwell’s masterpiece explores the historical reality of Socialism, and how “newspeak” and “doublespeak” have been used to manipulate naive people. Men can bear children. Healthcare can be free. DEI-based racism is anti-racist.

A Jan. 24 commentary headlined “Freedoms being lost right before our eyes” typifies Leftist doublespeak, but could be anybody parroting the Left’s Neo-Marxist nonsense machine.

It begins by proclaiming a membership in ANTIFA, the “non-existent” Communist organization founded in pre-World War II Europe to oppose Communism’s Fascist cousins in the fight for Socialist supremacy. It was Russia’s ANTIFA Communists vs. Hitler’s Fascists.

The writer proclaims to be anti-Fascist, but like all Leftists, has a contradiction to deal with.

Based on previous articles and political affiliation, the writer clearly agrees with Fascism’s opposition to private gun rights, free markets, free speech, and religion. And she absolutely agrees with Fascist beliefs in socialized medicine and government control of the economy and schools.

Hence, any Conservative or Libertarian is 100% opposed to Fascism, whereas she is in actual agreement with most Fascist principles, while claiming to be anti-Fascist. Does she understand that Fascists and Communists are just two sides of her Socialist coin?

There is a claim to desire freedom, but also a demand for single-payer healthcare. Again a contradiction. Single payer means 100% government control of health care – eliminating the individual’s freedom to choose.

Perhaps the writer should study the reality of single-payer care in Canada (try Canada’s Fraser Institute). Canada is legendary for having the highest healthcare denial rate in the West.

When denied healthcare in Canada, wealthy people leave so they can obtain private care outside Canada. Those who can’t afford to leave Canada are given the “Medical Assistance in Dying” (MAID) option. Assisted suicide is free and universal under Single-Payer.

The writer then complains about our current healthcare system (Oh, don’t we all), ignoring that Obamacare – the system of Government controlled healthcare she supported – is the law of the land. Then she demands “Medicare-for-All” to stop people from “dying all around us”, although we don’t actually see “people dying all around us.” Maybe she means Canada.

There’s a claim to want a good education — but who doesn’t? If she truly wants good education she would oppose the public funding monopoly held by Teachers’ Unions and Public Schools. Leftist control of public education has taken the US from best-in-the-world to the worst among the industrialized nations (PISA). Here again, she blames everyone else for the problems created by her own team.

Perhaps the commentary can explain why the U.S. spends more per capita on public education than any country in the world, and still finishes 38th in Math and Science (PISA). Perhaps she can also explain why New York spends twice as much on education as Florida, but is only tied with Florida in educational outcomes.

And while Little Johnny’s reading, science, and math get worse every year, he sure knows a good drag show when he sees one, thanks to the Left’s Woke indoctrination in public schools.

She then claims that every wage must be a Living Wage.How much should that be?

Let’s make the Living Wage $35 per hour, like New York City Mayor Mamdani wants. How much economic output is required from an employee in return for that $35?

What if an employee’s labor only creates $15 per hour in value to consumers? Do we fire the employee and leave him without any income? Why not pay him what his labor is actually worth and let him keep the job until his performance gets better in the future so he warrants better pay.

Should incompetent or lazy people be paid the same as competent and industrious people?

When the government prescribes a minimum wage, it denies individuals the freedom to compete. Therefore, a Living Wage mandate and be for personal freedom at the same time. Again she contradicts herself.

Now consider how a Living Wage mandate will affect the so-called “Affordability Crisis.” Will things be more affordable after a living wage has doubled labor costs, boosted inflation further, and undermines productivity? Do we want a $30 Big Mac? What will happen when plumber’s bill doubles?

Finally, the writer objects to Project 2025’s freedom-based objectives that include

— Restore the family as the centerpiece of American life; protect our children.

— Dismantle the Administrative State; return self-governance to the people.

— Defend our nation’s sovereignty against global threats.

— Secure our rights as defined in the Declaration, and the Bill of Rights.

Perhaps she can tell us why she so vocally opposes these principles that would protect the very freedoms she claims to want.

Some don’t want freedom; they want freedom from personal responsibility – paid for by people they would enslave under Socialism.

Michael Dee is a Silver Creek resident.