Do You Know What Socialism Is?

[meganerd]

Enough with the socialism scare tactics. Obama was not proposing socialism. Read the following.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-..._b_136458.html

One minute John McCain is calling Barack Obama a socialist. The next minute he's suggesting the federal government should buy up distressed mortgages at inflated prices to save home owners from their bad investments. Guess what John? That's a little bit of socialism right there.

None of the candidates is advocating literal socialism, a system whereby the government controls the basic means of production, least of all Obama, who is advised by Warren Buffett, one of the most successful capitalists of all time. If McCain were to suggest that, he should be disqualified from being president on the basis of mental deficiency.

On the other hand, as I pointed out in the opening paragraph, little bits of socialism can be found in policies espoused by all of the candidates. Sarah Palin's stump speech includes the line,"Now is not the time to experiment with socialism." The truth is we've been experimenting with socialism since the republic began.

Capitalism is our way of life. It's arguably the best economic system ever invented. But it's flawed. It needs help. Unchecked capitalism is subject to unchecked greed. And that can lead to problems, such as we experienced in 1929 and the 1980s and are experiencing now. So, over the years, we've built a few checks and balances into the system. Many of these checks and balances might be thought of as socialism but they are integral to the American way of life.

Start with the very idea of taxation. All taxation is redistribution of wealth. The government takes our money, then uses it as it sees fit for the betterment of our lives. The decision was made long ago that the free market could not adequately provide everything we need: defense, police, firefighters, bridges, roads, etc., So the government takes money from individuals and spreads it around society. McCain is proposing a tax break for rich people and a tax refund as part of his health insurance plan. Palin pushed for a windfall tax on oil companies that she then redistributed to the people of Alaska. So, while they attack Obama for proposing a tax cut for the middle class, they are both for redistribution of wealth.

We learned after the Great Depression that we needed to insure people's deposits in the bank. Everyone is happy about the FDIC insurance they get for free from the government. The government agreeing to replace your cash if the bank screws up? Not exactly free market capitalism. We also discovered that we needed to provide for the basic needs of our elderly. Social Security was born. And even though it has the word "social" right in it, very few people, other than folks on the fringe like Joe The Plumber, would like to face old age without it. Another safety net that most Americans would not like to live without is Medicare. Socialism! Wait until Rush Limbaugh realizes he can use his Medicare card to get cheaper pills than he does in the parking lot.

Anyone notice that tiny little bailout that President Bush spearheaded a few weeks ago? The one where the government committed $700 billion to buy up chunks of American companies? The one that both McCain and Obama supported? Yeah, some socialism in that one.

Our next venture into socialism will provide us with needed health care. We already spend more on health care than any nation in the world, yet 47 million people go without health insurance. In addition, insurance companies do not encourage preventative care and can choose to deny coverage even if you've paid your premiums. In 2000, The World Health Organization ranked the U.S. 37th in its list of health systems, behind Costa Rica, Morocco and Colombia, to name a few. That's a pretty low return for our money. When it comes to health care, capitalism needs a little bit of socialism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism

Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and the creation of an egalitarian society.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism

1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods2 a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

More:

http://www.conservative-resources.co...socialism.html
http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_18...socialism.html
http://www.ubersite.com/m/75379

[acesfull]

Obama's circle of "friends" and colleagues, along with lack of experience, defeatism, choice of vice president and ideas on abusing the tax code are scare tactics enough for me.

[BobDiGiTaL]

Are you saying, "Socialism is good?"
North Korea loves it, or at least that what the NK gov't tells its citizens.

[jasdon11]

Obama's circle of "friends" and colleagues, along with lack of experience, defeatism, choice of vice president and ideas on abusing the tax code are scare tactics enough for me.

Can't believe that you put "choice of vice president" in there....you started your sentence with "Obama's" - are you sure you didn't mean McCain's?

[acesfull]

can't believe that you put "choice of vice president" in there....you started your sentence with "obama's" - are you sure you didn't mean mccain's?

Absolutely.

BTW, here is someone who is highly educated and knows what the hell he is talking about. You can listen to some recent shows: www.marklevinshow.com

[meganerd]

Absolutely.

BTW, here is someone who is highly educated and knows what the hell he is talking about. You can listen to some recent shows: www.marklevinshow.com

Listening now. Doesn't sound highly educated but I'm waiting.

[H2FC]

I wish the McShame backers wouldn't take defeat so hard....they don't realize it yet but we'll ALL be much better off with President Obama.

[Gregcyber]

Love Wins

[stock_post]

Can't believe that you put "choice of vice president" in there....you started your sentence with "Obama's" - are you sure you didn't mean McCain's?

He may be talking about 18,000,000 votes vs 9,000 votes.
-- you may not want to know about this.. (just an fyi)

[Compassion]

Ahh, the false left right paradigm again...

Talking points for everyone to worry about that really don't mean anything as these candidates were chosen by the global powers that have been running things for centuries to uphold and protect their interests, not ours. You can't lose the horse race if you own every horse in the race.


From what I know the two doctrines that are behind political domination are fascism and socialism. The US is run by fascists. (Check out the fasci (bundled sticks with hatchet) on the dime, and when the candidates speak be sure to check out the fasci on each side.
Checkout 'Project Paperclip' (Giving top Nazi scientists new passports through the Vatican and bringing many to the US..including...Werner von Braun who was at the roots of NASA (Never a straight answer)...he developed the first rocket for the Nazis).


One could argue McCain will bring forth the fascist agenda much like we have seen the past eight years. (More things like bailouts for giant banks - privatizing gains while dumping the losses on the public)

One could argue Obama will bring forth a more socialist leaning agenda. (More things like no home schooling, mandatory vaccinations..)

Either way the people are screwed.

Regardless, both will ignore the truth about 911 as it is becoming obvious to about half of Americans now and 98% of the rest of the world that the official story is a tremendous lie. Utilize proven science to find the facts. Follow the money to find the truth.

Both will not repeal the unconstitutional patriot act.

Both will want to uphold the illusion that the paper money backed by the privately owned corporation known as the federal reserve is actually worth something. ($20 Federal Reserve note has same backing as $20 Parker Bros. Monopoly note.)

They will both continue to use language to distort the root of the banking crisis (fiat currency run by central banks is true answer.)

To eradicate and solve generations of distortions and lies, we would need Ron Paul to be elected twice, then about eight more presidents that have the interests of the people as his priority, not the corporations to be elected. By then, there would be many Independents in congress and rather than just a few congressman you could count on your toes and hands in office to help the people, we would have the majority there as protecting corporate interests would be a thing of the past. (Including the corporation who prints the money who the Government must answer to)


Ron Paul 08

[nameslave]

When words like "liberal" and "socialism" are used to scare people, you know something is wrong.

[bd77]

Enough with the socialism scare tactics. Obama was not proposing socialism.

Obama is a socialist whether you like it or not. His policies if enacted would lead us towards European socialism. I have no doubt that's what he intends for all of us and its one of the many reasons McCain is getting my vote.

Even though I'm voting for McCain that doesn't mean I see him as capitalist in fact the bailout bill you mentioned just goes to show everyone that both candidates don't understand how free markets work.

The best analogy I can give for the reason I'm voting for McCain is......

McCain is not good.
Obama is helluva lot worse.

Listening now. Doesn't sound highly educated but I'm waiting.

You just dissed the great one. Levin is one smart lawyer who knows constitutional law real well. I'm not sure you're open enough to listen to him though.

[Acro]

I lived in socialist Greece from 1981 to 1997. I can assure you, even the right wing in Europe is "liberal" in the eyes of the average American. You have no clue what you're talking about.

Socialism is Venezuela & Hugo Chavez. The example of Cuba is that of socialism gone wrong.

If you honestly judge Obama as a socialist, you need to take a trip around the world to open your eyes.

[nameslave]

in fact the bailout bill you mentioned just goes to show everyone that both candidates don't understand how free markets work.

It's amazing that many don't understand that the recent global financial crisis actually shows how free markets fail.

[H2FC]

Just saw on TV where the latest wall street journal survey of registered voters who intends to vote in this election has Obama with a 52 to 42 lead over McCain.

I think the final tally will be much higher than that when its all over.

[Keyword Factory]

It's amazing that many don't understand that the recent global financial crisis actually shows how free markets fail.

In a free market many businesses are supposed to fail and others get stronger. However, this was not a free market because people were given loans they would not get in a free market because the government intervened.

[nameslave]

Just saw on TV where the latest wall street journal survey of registered voters who intends to vote in this election has Obama with a 52 to 42 lead over McCain.

I think the final tally will be much higher than that when its all over.

To be honest, I'm not sure if the gap in popular votes would be much wider than that (as in a 20 points lead), but in terms of electoral votes, it's becoming quite clear that Obama will win this election with a comfortable margin.

[HarveyJ]

Yeah, I'd hate to live in a capitalism economy / socialist society like Norway.
What with its high standard of living, low inflation, less than 2% unemployment, free training for those that ARE out of work, world class medical facilities and transport infrastructure that are near wholly paid for by taxes alone, and with really low crime rates.

Living in a place like that would totally suck.

[Keyword Factory]

Yeah, I'd hate to live in a capitalism economy / socialist society like Norway.
What with its high standard of living, low inflation, less than 2% unemployment, free training for those that ARE out of work, world class medical facilities and transport infrastructure that are near wholly paid for by taxes alone, and with really low crime rates.

Living in a place like that would totally suck.

that is because they found oil.

[Doc Com]

Do You Know What Socialism Is?

Is it anything like Bushism?