This septuagenarian is concerned with the rapidly expanding liberal views in America. In particular, it’s having a troublesome impact on many of our young people, many of whom are easily persuaded toward ideas they haven’t examined thoroughly enough. Here are six contrasting beliefs to ponder:

Welcome capitalism; reject socialism. Capitalism is the best economic system ever created. If you produce, you get rewarded. If you dislike your job, boss or coworkers, stop whining, go elsewhere or start your own business. Socialism (and communism) are failed systems. Liberals love to cite Scandinavian nations as models of socialism, but these countries have capitalistic economies that provide limited socialistic services (health care, for example) through high taxation.

Eager earner vs. entitlement enthusiast. Able-bodied people should get a job and contribute something of value to society. Don’t sacrifice your dignity and liberty for government handouts. Free stuff isn’t free. Tax-paying workers fund those unemployment checks, food stamps, subsidized housing and much more. If “free” health care for all and “free” college education are ever added to the government trough, your taxes will skyrocket and America will go bankrupt.

Legal immigration is welcomed; illegal immigration isn’t. A country with open borders is no longer a sovereign nation. Contact your senators and representatives and demand that they protect our porous Southern border from illegal aliens. It’s a privilege to be an American citizen, not a right. If you want to join our populace, go through the legal process, have an occupational skill, speak English, embrace our culture, learn our history and work for everything you get.

America: love it or leave it. I’m a red-blooded American who served my country as a Marine sergeant. If you don’t love our way of life, the airlines are ready to take you to the nation of your choice. Surprise, surprise, not many Americans are moving to Russia, China, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Venezuela and Cuba, to name a few. Disgruntled disrupters would rather complain, curse, confront and create chaos than be grateful to live in the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Morality and sexuality. Pro-death advocates champion abortion-on-demand and thereby deny unborn children their right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Eventually, Roe vs. Wade will be repealed because it’s the moral thing to do. If you’re a homosexual, lesbian or transgender, stop telling us how proud you are of your sexual orientation. Most heterosexuals don’t go around saying, “Hey, we’re heterosexuals!” Private bedroom behavior should remain private.

God hasn’t changed; America has. Our founding fathers feared God and forged a nation on the anvil of Judeo-Christian values. Nearly two-and-a-half centuries later, those wise men would be shocked by how many Americans, especially our younger generation, have turned their backs on God, faith and church. Instead, they worship the gods of possessions, prestige, pleasure, popularity and pride. Alas, we’re paying a shameful price for such idolatry.

If America is to remain the greatest nation ever conceived, we must cherish our conservative roots and combat liberalism.

Dick Biggs

Gainesville