To the Editor:

I once visited a small country that was just perfect. The people were friendly, helpful, and courteous to one another. This kindness was also extended to foreigners.

The houses were different colors, but very similar in size. Each had a one car garage. Public transportation was efficient, clean, and free to all. Everyone had a job that paid about the same amount, and if someone could not work or did not want to, they received a salary from the state. I was informed that everyone, including visitors, could go to the hospitals for free.

In this small country, there was no crime and if someone needed help, one of the neighbors would provide the help. Everyone obeyed the traffic rules, including the speed limit. Anyone could enter the country and become a citizen. Everyone in this country was perfect and altruistic, therefore there was no need to have a police department.

What a wonderful country! If anyone wants to visit, it’s easy. Just Google “Utopia.”

America, as wonderful as it is, is not Utopia.

None of us are perfect and most of us are not altruistic. In fact, some of us may be racist. But most Americans are good, hardworking people who want the best for their families. Americans are among the most generous people in the world and when there is a major disaster anywhere, Americans are the ones that supply most of the relief.

Utopianism requires that the people are perfect and altruistic. Do you know anyone like that? I think not!

So, if utopianism isn’t possible, we have other choices:

*Dictatorship, where one person dictates all the rules.

*Communism, where one political party dictates all the rules.

*Socialism, where a group of elites dictate to the common folks what they must do.

*Capitalism, where people have the freedom to do what they want within the law.

As imperfect as it is, I choose capitalism, which provides equal opportunity to pursue what each one of us wants. By using our individual talents, working hard and taking risks, any one of us can achieve our own success.

Each one of us should do what we can to move capitalism in the direction of utopianism.

So, ask yourself what you can do to improve the life of individuals who are oppressed or marginalized, regardless of their color. Can you make a donation to a nonprofit organization? Can you volunteer? Can you speak up when someone does wrong? Can you mentor or adopt an underprivileged child? How can you pay it forward? Without a doubt, we can all make a difference.

Asking others to do what we are unwilling to do ourselves is wrong. Destroying property and stereotyping police officers, most of whom are admirable, does not move us towards utopianism.

Perhaps some day when the world is inhabited by perfect people, we can live in Utopia. In the meantime, let’s all do something small, so together we can make big changes.

Peter D’Amico

45 Woods Lane, Newtown July 31, 2020