Monday, October 20, 2008

Defining Socialism

On CNN today, CNN Newsroom anchors turned to Karl Marx to find out what Socialism happened to be. By no means does it fit the current GOP definitions of socialism as applied to Senator Obama. But it does apply to the750 billion dollar bailout and how Paulson and Bernanke intend to apply it. And it also applies to what McCain wants to do with those toxic mortgages. So, with that thought in mind, I could only watch with hilarity the so called GOP African-American doofus on the Rick Sanchez portion of the Newsroom postulating a "socialism" based on taxes as a redistribution of wealth. Then let us take a good long look at what that "redistribution of wealth" would comprise:
  • If you are in the military, then those tax dollars support you.
  • If you have a military or other form of government contract, then those tax dollars support you.
  • If you are a state that has a degree of dependence on federal largess, inclusive of the State of Alaska, then you can be sure that there will be a redistribution of wealth.
  • If you hold a federal or state or even a county office, then those tax dollars support you.
  • If you are a staffer or an appointee of said office holders, then those tax dollars support you.
  • If you as a business interest are seeking subsidies or tax breaks, then someone must pay the taxes to support the subsidy or tax break. Then such a subsidy or tax break is a redistribution of wealth.
Sarah Palin says that she is against all this. Does she have any understanding at all of what she is saying? I don't think so.

  • Tax vouchers for private and religious schools are a redistribution of wealth.
  • An increase of the child tax credit to $7,000.00 is a redistribution of wealth.
  • A 25% tax rate is a redistribution of wealth.
  • Buying up those toxic mortgages is a redistribution of wealth.
  • Continuing the war in Iraq even as that gvt increases its personal wealth without paying toward an improved security for its own citizens or putting together a military that can operate independently of the U.S. Military, is a redistribution of wealth.
  • Aiding any foreign country for what ever reason, is a redistribution of wealth.
  • Earmarks are a redistribution of wealth, no matter which politician, inclusive of McCain, supports them.
  • Any federal aid toward any special interest group is a redistribution of wealth, regardless of political ideology.
Which begs the question of whether the African-American McCain supporter even knew what he was talking about.

Socialism=government control or ownership. McCain wants to buy up those toxic mortgages on the behalf, so he says, of home owners. Government now owns those mortgages and has effectively nationalized home ownership. What McCain has not said, is what are the consequences of this form of altruism. He has not said, and the non-thinkers in his campaign aren't about to challenge him. After all, McCain is offering a free ride. McCain as the other Democrat, anyone?

2 comments:

Mari Meehan said...

Superb post. Wish you had been along on our swing through middle America. You could perhaps have enlightened a few!

The New Arch Druid's take on the news said...

That's why I operate more than one blog. While AOL Journals is still in existence, all you would really have to do is look for An Arch Druid's take on the news on Google and find some of my other McCain heavy slams. Bet that middle America has probably read some of it.