Activity

In this course, Abby studied how Marx and Engels founded the social theory that led to the rise of the communist Soviet Union under Lenin and Stalin and the deaths of tens of millions through gulags, starvation, and tyranny; and the rise of Mao and the deaths of hundreds of millions through the more heavily applied theory in gulags, starvation, distrust, betrayal, and tyranny.

To Summarize: Socialism and Communism, boiled down, is that you were not, are not, and will never be responsible for your lifestyle or prosperity because you are being oppressed by someone better off than you, and anyone who believes differently is a brainwashed peon of your oppressor and also your oppressor. Thus, the only way to fix society is by eradicating completely the practice of private property, religion, and family.

Here’s a fascinating quote by Karl Marx, written in the Editorial of ‘Neue Rheinische Zeitung’ in 1849, “We have no compassion and we ask no compassion from you. When our turn comes, we shall not make excuses for the terror.”

In this course, Abby studied how trade, fiscal responsibility, taxes, and more effect every American equally, in addition to what the government’s tried that increased American wealth and abundance and what the government’s tried that hasn’t worked at all and caused every American to suffer.

To summarize: When the average American has no idea that the government is influencing something in their lives, that usually means that that something is flourishing within the private sector under low taxes and few regulations.

Image Credit Town of Wake Forest

After reading through documentation in the meeting agenda, Abby realized that the Town of Wake Forest’s intention to expand its Municipal Service District into nearby neighborhoods for seemingly solely the increased property tax revenue was a dangerous precedent for residents of the entire town. Abby spoke against the expansion and asked the Commissioners to host Open Houses and feedback forums so residents may have more information.

Abby continued pursuing engagement in attending the 2026 State of the Town and Mayor Clapsaddle’s first Address, which focused on volunteer and staff organizations in Wake Forest with a message of moving forward in unity.

After the Address, Abby had the opportunity to greet several Commissioners and have productive and informative conversations with candidates running in the Primary election. When asked why she came tonight, Abby replied, “To know, of course!”

Image credit Town of Wake Forest

Abby was one of five applicants out of fourteen selected for interview by the Board of Commissioners at the February 3 work session. She approached the Board equipped with, as Wake Forest resident Tom Baker IV has written, “constitutional and governance training,” along with the knowledge imparted to her by Citizens Academy and Planning 101.

She was not appointed to the vacant seat in this timing, but this temporary loss strengthened her passion for involvement and engagement in Wake Forest.