I believe that Thomas made this statement as part of his concession speech after losing the presiential electon in the late forties. He went on to say that he was never going to run again and that the socialist party was no longer needed because we have the Democrats. Like many free societies we are yeilding to socialism. Everything socialism gets involved in is a loser; Public schools, Medcare, Medicade, Social Security and AmTrak are just a few examples. We should NEVER allow the free capitalist system to become polluted with socialism. Socialist health care is a disaster in countries where it exists. Worse yet; socialism is a stepping stone to tyranny. This is why the Founding Fathers insisted on a small central government and outlined in the constituton that which the central government is permitted. "Beware the greedy hand of governent, thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry" -Thomas Paine