To the editor:

In his recent letter to the editor, Edward K. Halloran believes that the Affordable Care Act is socialism.

Just about everything else about it is, as he states, “beside the point.” He claims that the act is a violation of commercial rights and free-market rights. There are no such rights guaranteed or implied in the Constitution or by any federal or state law. He must know that because he calls for a constitutional amendment to do just that.

Communism is not socialism. The Soviets went way beyond the form of socialism that is supported and practiced successfully in many countries today. Socialism in certain acts is not bad. In the 1930s when Congress passed the Social Security Act, it was derided by the Republican Party as socialism. And they fought its passing and after it passed tried with all their might to get rid of it.

Decades later when the American citizens loved and counted on their monthly payments — to which all contributed with every paycheck for years — the Republicans agreed it was a very good law.

In fact, during election times they proudly defended it by putting it in a “lockbox.” They realized that by far the majority of the American population wanted it not altered even if some groups called it socialism — which it is.

The ACA has started out with major problems. Letter writer Halloran says that the free market and not the government should control our health care. Every Saturday I listen to a review of the country’s business report. Every Saturday there is a long list of companies and their officers who are being fined and even sentenced to prison for doing something illegal so that the free market can work to their advantage. There is nothing free about a free market when there are no restrictions or oversight.

Is the Affordable Care Act the answer to the country’s health needs? No. But it is a start, an entrance into the monopoly held by the health care industry and the insurance companies. Both can raise your rates, disregard, alter or cancel your health insurance at their own discretion.