I am not the only one talking about "socialism" these days ... or at least what most Republicans call socialism. Check out Oh, yeah? Well, your mama's a socialist! Here is a taste ...
Thus, taking tax rates on the wealthiest Americans back to the level of the Clinton years -- the biggest boom in American history -- is "socialism." Nevermind that rates on the rich were more than twice as high under that infamous socialist Dwight Eisenhower (McCarthy labeled him a communist). Fixing a health-care system that is leaving behind millions of Americans -- socialism. Worrying about the greatest income gap since the 1920s or how average Americans have seen their income go down under George W. Bush -- socialism. Investing in public works -- socialism, socialism, socialism!
This wing of the GOP, which is about all that's left of a once-diverse party, argued that Social Security and Medicare were socialism. Its members still believe this, although most keep their opinions under wraps, and long to kill those programs. Yet in power, they don't hesitate to use the heavy hand of government to redistribute income to the wealthy. Facing a reality-based crisis, the Bush administration partially nationalizes the financial system -- and pumps $750 billion of "your money," largely unsupervised, to the rich bankers who helped cause the meltdown. But that's not "socialism," see...see?
Plus, I love the name of the blog ... Rogue Columnist. :)
Hat tip: A Different Street.
That is the number one thing I don't like about the Republican Party. They use words like 'socialism' to cause people to react and think they are right. Truth be told they just have another use for the money. Instead of having compassion on the poor, young and elderly they want to give our money to people that have more than enough money. If you are a greedy corporation or buisness man then you are deserving of your tax dollars. If you are a poor person, young or old, working family barely making ends meet or a disabled person then you aren't worth one cent.
I sometimes wonder just how much these self-proclaimed christians pay in tithes and offerings considering how much they grumble about any of their tax dollars helping feed the needy. If they had their way, the poor would be desperate in the streets, with no relief at all. So much for the love of Christ!
I'm not a socialist, but I don't see why its bad to try to create some rules for corporations and CEOs to play nice.
Nobody expects the biggest guys in the NBA to smack everyone around without getting called to task by the refs.
Some regulation, some social programs are just good. It's called "governing"--what government is supposed to do.
(How fun that you linked to Satchel!)
I agree with you, B, to a large extent and sometimes wonder the same things myself. I have read people actually use the argument that Jesus never stole money from anyone to help the poor, but expected people to give willingly ... yet they can't find it in their hearts to give their taxes with charity in their hearts. They want to view it as government stealing from them to distribute their wealth to people who have not earned it. It boggles the mind.
You don't see them having the same issue with the government "stealing" their money to pay for roads, airports, military expenses, prisons, disaster relief, veteran benefits ... well they might on disaster relief and veteran benefits. They are "social programs" after all. But, their tax dollars pay for a lot of things and that is par for the course. It is the price one pays for living in a civilized society.
Hey Marcus! I agree with you. I am a socialist by Republican definition only, but not in Webster's. :) I do believe in social programs, but I don't believe the government should own big business or everyone's property (I do believe they should regulate them though - that whole governing thing that promotes the common good). And, actually, the funniest thing about it to me is they always claim that having social programs has never worked and have always failed ... yet that is not true at all. Communism is another story.
I believe a country is truly judged by how it treats it's least. We are so blessed to live in a country that takes care of it's poor, elderly, disabled, it's young.
Oh ... and linking to Satchel ... I read Satchel every day. One of my favorite blogs. :) I just got a little shock that one morning!
They don't want their tax dollars to go to the poor or their income either. Sarah Palin doesn't even tithe.
http://bentcorner.com/2008/10/why-is-sarah-palin-ripping-off-jesus/
We went a few months without tithing and both my husband and I were quite convicted of it. We have been faithful ever since and believe me when I say we make about a 1/4 of what she does, if not less.