To the editor:

Mr. Dan Freeman (Record, Oct. 24) says that my recent letter equated the Glass-Steagall Act with fascism.

I said no such thing.

I did attempt to provide some facts about the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act which suggest that it was not a likely cause of the economic meltdown. Bill Clinton said in 2008: “I don’t see that signing that bill had anything to do with the current crisis. Indeed, one of the things that has helped stabilize the current situation as much as it has, is the purchase of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, which was much smoother than it would have been if I hadn’t signed that bill… On the Glass-Steagall thing, like I said, if you could demonstrate to me that it was a mistake, I’d be glad to look at the evidence.” — Wikipedia

It is true that I gave dictionary definitions of fascism, but only to correct a previous writer’s inverting the common meaning.

As to my political beliefs, I strongly adhere to this statement of the role of government: All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.

Sadly, many do not hold individual rights in high regard nowadays.

Jon D. Berg

Freeland