For those of you who say Obama is a socialist, read this:

Socialism

Either McCain is Lying or He Doesnt Know What Socialism Is
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.

Great article...first he was a celebrity, then a terrorist, now a socialist.

What do we think of Colin Powellsupporting him?? Also two conservative Rep. people (cant think of their names) were on with Chris Matthews supporting him...they feel McCain dosent have plans, used poor judgement picking Palin, and isnt talking about the economy but just attacking Obama...I guess it isnt just us Democrats that see this!

---

Posted by lizzie217

Great article...first he was a celebrity, then a terrorist, now a socialist.

What do we think of Colin Powellsupporting him?? Also two conservative Rep. people (cant think of their names) were on with Chris Matthews supporting him...they feel McCain dosent have plans, used poor judgement picking Palin, and isnt talking about the economy but just attacking Obama...I guess it isnt just us Democrats that see this!

---

I really enjoyed that article. So many people are falling for the McPalin scare tactics. They add -ism to the end of everything and make it seem scary. But a lot of people are realizing their campaign and rallies never address any problems. All they do is bash Obama just like certain McCain supporters weve dealt with in the past. Never say what they like about him but proceed to call Obama a socialist. We all know WHY you dont like Obama but WHY do you like McCain? Simple question.

Side note, my 7 year old niece asked her mother who she was voting for and when my sister said Obama, my niece said, 'Oh good cause I dont think McCain isnt ready for it'

My sister has no clue where she got that from but she likes it

Anyway I dont wanna jinx it but Obama is looking real good. Im praying for this election.

Your niece is to funny..my little cousin called a classamte 'wierd' when he said hesupported McCain (he's in kindergarten at a catholic school) EVERYONE in his class supports Obama lol

But I also think that anything can happen on election day...I am praying! My wedding is 4 days later so I am like praying he wins if not I hope my bad mood goes away for my wedding

---

Posted by lizzie217

Your niece is to funny..my little cousin called a classamte 'wierd' when he said hesupported McCain (he's in kindergarten at a catholic school) EVERYONE in his class supports Obama lol

But I also think that anything can happen on election day...I am praying! My wedding is 4 days later so I am like praying he wins if not I hope my bad mood goes away for my wedding

---

HAHAHA!!!! Good for your cousin! Its great to see people with kids in Catholic schools are supporting Obama. I thought for sure they would lead toward McCain.

I believe that also. DH keeps saying not to get my hopes up but I cant help it. Man it stinks its so close to your wedding! maybe you should ignore all news until AFTER the wedding and then see who won

---

Posted by StefPalma

Obama wants to take your hard earned money and give it to other people. redistributing wealth. that's fu**ing absurd.

---

mccain wants to put greater tax burden on the working class to make up for the 10% corporate tax revenue we'll lose if he puts his plan into place. excuse me, but what's the difference?

obama wants to tax rich people who've been robbing this country blind for a long time and put it back into the hands of the middle class. i don't see anything wrong with that. with record high gas prices and record earnings by oil companies and a trillion dollar war that has essentially padded corporate exec's pockets with the lives of 4,000 young american boys, i think it's time.

first of all, McCain wants to CUT taxes, not raise them. second, raising taxes on ANYONE in a time when the economy is terrible just makes everything worse and causes a depression. third, since when is making $250,000 rich? or is it $200,000 or maybe even $150,000? Obama/Biden can't make up their mind how much money THEY consider is too much to be making.


and rich people robbing this coutnry blind? are you serious? people who have money put it back into the economy - that's what keeps it going. and if you're comparing large corporations to everyday hardworking people who make a decent salary that's just ridiculous. you cannot lump hardworking people who work hard for their money in with huge corporations. you just can't.

I am sorry, but i didnt put myself through college and law school to have my money be stolen from me and given to other people. I have worked hard for my money and i have put myself into thousands of dollars worth of debt so i can make a decent living and provide for my family and give my children what they want/need and now HE wants to take it away from me? i should be able to do whatever i want with my money

and anyone who thinks that you're rich if you make $250,000 is insane. that is outrageous

---

Posted by StefPalma

first of all, McCain wants to CUT taxes, not raise them. second, raising taxes on ANYONE in a time when the economy is terrible just makes everything worse and causes a depression. third, since when is making $250,000 rich? or is it $200,000 or maybe even $150,000? Obama/Biden can't make up their mind how much money THEY consider is too much to be making.


and rich people robbing this coutnry blind? are you serious? people who have money put it back into the economy - that's what keeps it going. and if you're comparing large corporations to everyday hardworking people who make a decent salary that's just ridiculous. you cannot lump hardworking people who work hard for their money in with huge corporations. you just can't.

I am sorry, but i didnt put myself through college and law school to have my money be stolen from me and given to other people. I have worked hard for my money and i have put myself into thousands of dollars worth of debt so i can make a decent living and provide for my family and give my children what they want/need and now HE wants to take it away from me? i should be able to do whatever i want with my money

and anyone who thinks that you're rich if you make $250,000 is insane. that is outrageous

---

I hate to be the bearer of bad news we are in a RECESSION and in bill-ions of $$ in defecit it is impossible to remain a world power and have the strongest military if someone doesent pay up SO TAXES WILL BE RAISED NOMATTER WHAT...if they arent then guess what we will go into a depression.

Oh and more to the point they will be raised by either person...except Obama has a plan to make people who make less pay less..McCain will do what Bush has done....tax the rich much less than they should be pating.

-It amazes me that people actually believe we can contiue the way we are going! HELLO not raise taxes and stay at war McCain'-s plan .-.-if that happens we will not have resources to defend ourselves and feed our families

Did this person even read the article. I think she saw the topic title and ignored everything else. Your hard earned money is already being redistributed. Thats what taxes are. Youre falling for the fear tactic the McCain campaign is throwing in your face. Lets keep throwing our money into a war in a country where their economy is in a surplus. Making our country have less and less military superiority. THAT makes sense. I dont understand how people who WORKED SO HARD and PAYED for their own college education try to make it seem like middle class citizens arent doing the same thing. No one ever said people who make over 200-250,000 a year are rich. Who said that? I feel like some people who are doing well act like anyone who doesnt make as much money as they do are lowlives who didnt try hard enough. There are people with college educations who cant get jobs right now, who dont have money. There are people who are working 3 jobs trying to make ends meet, but youre better than they are because they should have TRIED HARDER! Just because it worked out for you doesnt mean it worked out for everyone else. Where is the help eachother mentality. Like I said before the selfish mind state of the people of this country is what is bringing us down.

And everyone knows the middle class is what keeps the economy thriving. The middle class has been struggling the past 8 years and now our economy is failing.

Songstress this pisses me off also..I would think that someone who has taken out all these loans and is middle class would sympthasize with people it pisses me off so much really it does. No $250,000 doesnt make you rich but you should pay more taxes.

I never had a loan my parents paid cash for a private college and private masters degree. The yhave the means to do so. Make much more than 250,000 and beleive as I do that those who make more should pay more ( I say this to prove a point that I am not someone who is in need but someone who can see logically !)


...your a laywer working hard for your $$ but the next person who perhaps isnt an attorney isnt working just as hard for their $$? And if they make 30,000 a year does it make sense that are taxed at the rate of someone making 250,000?

-

-

first of all, i never said that middle class people don't work hard for their money. all i said was that i don't want to have to be taxed MORE than i am already being taxed. period.

also, i never said anyone who doesn't make as much money as i do is a low life. i enver said anything about anyone else. in fact, all i said was that i don't want to be taxed MORE. i am being taxed enough. and if i ever make more than 250K i dont want to be taxed more either.

trying to make me into a bad person and into someone who thinks middle and lower class people are low lifes is outrageous. i am an attorney who works for the govt. i am middle class. i dont want any handouts from the govt. i dont want other people's hard earned money. i dont think that's selfish at all. i live paycheck to paycheck. i am not complaining about it either. but, to call me selfish and to act like i am looking my nose down on other people in this counrty is EXACTLY what is wrong with this country and it is what is making everything today so argumentative and hateful.

it's compeltely absurd to sit there on your high horse and call ME names because i dont agree with you. last time i checked this was a free country and we were free to speak our minds. you dont have to like my opinion. calling me names is sophmoric and doesn't help you prove whatever point you were trying to make

---

Posted by lizzie217

Songstress this pisses me off also..I would think that someone who has taken out all these loans and is middle class would sympthasize with people it pisses me off so much really it does. No $250,000 doesnt make you rich but you should pay more taxes.

I never had a loan my parents paid cash for a private college and private masters degree. The yhave the means to do so. Make much more than 250,000 and beleive as I do that those who make more should pay more ( I say this to prove a point that I am not someone who is in need but someone who can see logically !)


...your a laywer working hard for your $$ but the next person who perhaps isnt an attorney isnt working just as hard for their $$? And if they make 30,000 a year does it make sense that are taxed at the rate of someone making 250,000?

-

-

---

listen, i am not saying the person who makes 30K should be taxed the same as someone making 250K - re-read what i wrote, i never said that. all i am saying is that i think taxes are HIGH ENOUGH wihtout making them HIGHER and penalizing people for doing well and making money. that's it.

i also never said that another person who is making less than me isnt working hard for their money. that's the problem with people like you - you get vicious and throw out these horrible accusations with no basis. all i said was that i dont want to pay MORE taxes than i already am while everyone else is getting a tax CUT. it doesn't make any sense to me.

and, just because i am middle class doesn't mean that i want/need handouts from the govt. dont lump me in with everyone else. i sympathize with people who don't make a lot of money - I DONT MAKE A LOT OF MONEY - but i dont think that people who DO make a lot of money need to be taxed MORE than they are already being taxed. they are already being taxed enough

---

Posted by StefPalma

first of all, i never said that middle class people don't work hard for their money. all i said was that i don't want to have to be taxed MORE than i am already being taxed. period.

also, i never said anyone who doesn't make as much money as i do is a low life. i enver said anything about anyone else. in fact, all i said was that i don't want to be taxed MORE. i am being taxed enough. and if i ever make more than 250K i dont want to be taxed more either.

trying to make me into a bad person and into someone who thinks middle and lower class people are low lifes is outrageous. i am an attorney who works for the govt. i am middle class. i dont want any handouts from the govt. i dont want other people's hard earned money. i dont think that's selfish at all. i live paycheck to paycheck. i am not complaining about it either. but, to call me selfish and to act like i am looking my nose down on other people in this counrty is EXACTLY what is wrong with this country and it is what is making everything today so argumentative and hateful.

it's compeltely absurd to sit there on your high horse and call ME names because i dont agree with you. last time i checked this was a free country and we were free to speak our minds. you dont have to like my opinion. calling me names is sophmoric and doesn't help you prove whatever point you were trying to make

---

this is another one courtesy of bill maher (tho i believe he was quoting also):

'For the cost of the war, we could have had healthcare for every man, woman and child in America; could have rebuilt every road, bridge, and school in America; and could have started multiple Manhattan projects for alternative energy. Now why doesn't the democrat say that the next time one of them says the surge is working?'

but yeah, vote for mccain. he'll save you a bundle. the reality is that he's just going to spend it on different stuff, the WRONG stuff. we spend 2.5 billion a week on this war, and he doesn't anticipate a pull-out until the end of his first term. to me, there's no contest in the election. the choice is crystal clear.

to pull troops out of Iraq now, after everything they have fought so hard for and after everything they have risked their lives doing would be horrendous. you cnna't just pull troops out of Iraw - that's what got us into trouble before.

you cannot just forget about what's going on over there - war is terrible and everyone wants it to be over. we should leave when it's the right time.

troops favor McCain being commander in chief 3-1 over Obama so you're right, the choice is crystal clear.

---

Posted by StefPalma

to pull troops out of Iraq now, after everything they have fought so hard for and after everything they have risked their lives doing would be horrendous. you cnna't just pull troops out of Iraw - that's what got us into trouble before.

you cannot just forget about what's going on over there - war is terrible and everyone wants it to be over. we should leave when it's the right time.

troops favor McCain being commander in chief 3-1 over Obama so you're right, the choice is crystal clear.

---

honestly, i can't help but draw a parallel between this war and vietnam bc i'm not entirely sure that it makes a difference how long we stay. the objectives here seem to disregard the history of iraq and the region and the nature of the rivalry between tribes. i have heard a lot of experts say that there's a pretty good chance that democracy will disintegrate rapidly after we leave no matter what. not only that, but the PP is right about a surplus of funds and a general lack of effort in trying to ween the iraqis off the US teet. there's a suspicious benefit to oil corporations as well if it takes a long time bc we can exercise some control over the world's supply and make our way into hostile markets, which obviously is completely unethical and against what we stand for as a nation. in the mean time, oil corporations are seeing record profits while americans die abroad and starve at home. our bridges are crumbling, our infrastructure is completely outdated, our kids are falling way behind those of other world powers, american health care ranks something like 38th in the world while we're also falling behind other nations in life span, our military is overtaxed abroad--leaving us a little defenseless against new threats like russia and iran--and our economy is in an alarmingly fragile state. at some point americans need to prioritize and decide which are the most important problems to deal with.

certainly, you as a voter need to make a choice between staying in the war and cutting taxes. you cannot spend, spend, spend like this on defense with no one to pay for it. you also might consider how scary it is that your candidate proposes a spending freeze on everything except defense/national security. that essentially leaves all of us hanging out to dry--a sacrifice we're apparently willing to make in order to stabilize a democracy in iraq. it's very selfless of you to want that, but me, i'd like to see america bounce back.

i'd love to see America bounce back as well. but, we need a strong defense. especially with what's going on now in the world. it isnt that i want us to stay in Iraq forever. believe me, i dont. i just dont want us to leave prematurely and have this country get screwed the same wat we got screwed when we did this stuff before.

and, the last time that taxes were raised during a time when the economy was bottoming out, was the Great Depression. raising taxes even more, no matter who you're raising the taxes on, causes a greater problem for the economy. that is what scares me the most - is that during this terrible time with the economy, Obama wants to tax people making over 250K MORE than they are already being taxed. some people, the ones who are making around 300K and have a house and a car and a family, cannot afford that. so this causes a problem for them. then, with giving tax credits and handouts to people making less money makes the economy worse as well. where is that moeny coming from? Obama proposes all of these tax cuts and all of these tax credits and all of this money back - that money has to come from somewhere and once businesses cannot afford to keep employees because their taxes are so high, people get fired and the economy gets worse. it happened before and i am petrified tha twith Obama, it's going top happen again.

it isnt just about the money being spent on the war - we pull out now, we're in trouble. you tax people MORE now, we're in trouble. i am scared for the future with him as president.