In response to George Thompson (Herald, Dec. 23), I refer Mr. Thompson to the Oxford dictionary and the definition of socialism: “a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.”

So, whatever it is Mr. Thompson is whining about, it is not socialism, or what “socialists employed by the county” are doing. What he seems to be objecting to is living by community standards that are established by individuals who are elected or hired to represent the entire community and, to that end, they enforce rules and ordinances designed to make life in the community better for all community members.

Individuals in communities all over America have been living by these standards for centuries. They are not new concepts. And they are not socialism. I would suggest Mr. Thompson look for that “free space” he dreams of that has no rules or regulations on what your neighbors can do and go there.

Maurice Harrigan

Pittsboro, NC