Finally -- an article on the "Is Obama Socialist" question from the perspective of an actual, card-carrying member of the Socialist Party! An excellent read and a surprisingly astute critique of Obama's healthcare and financial policies.
During his campaign, the ever-desperate McCain, his hard-charging running mate Sarah Palin and even a plumber named Joe lined up to call Barack Obama a "socialist." Last month, Huckabee even exclaimed that, "The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics may be dead, but the Union of American Socialist Republics is being born."
We appreciated the newfound attention. But we also cringed as the debate took on the hysterical tone of a farcical McCarthyism. The question "Is Obama a socialist?" spread rapidly through a network of rightwing blogs, conservative television outlets and alarmist radio talk shows and quickly moved into the mainstream. "We Are All Socialists Now," declared a Newsweek cover last month. A New York Times reporter recently pinned Obama down with the question, "Are you a socialist, as some people have suggested?" The normally unflappable politician stumbled through a response so unconvincing that it required a follow-up call in which Obama claimed impeccable free market credentials.
All this speculation over whether our current president is a socialist led me into the sea of business suits, BlackBerrys and self-promoters in the studio at Fox Business News. I quickly realized that the antagonistic anchor David Asman had little interest in exploring socialist ideas on bank nationalization. For Asman, nationalization was merely a code word for socialism. Using logic borrowed from the 1964 thriller "The Manchurian Candidate," he portrayed Obama as a secret socialist, so far undercover that not even he understood that his policies were de facto socialist. I was merely a cudgel to be wielded against the president -- a physical embodiment of guilt by association.
The funny thing is, of course, that socialists know that Barack Obama is not one of us. Not only is he not a socialist, he may in fact not even be a liberal. Socialists understand him more as a hedge-fund Democrat -- one of a generation of neoliberal politicians firmly committed to free-market policies.
Full article at the Washington Post.
Online chat about this theme on Monday
Sunday, March 15, 2009
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4 comments:
Aside from the obvious fact that self-described “Socialists” are publicly REJECTING the notion that the President is “one of them”_my question is_what the H*ll would it matter if, in his heart, he is a “socialist”?
After what that last “conservative”-POSING Republican idiot has done to this country!?_-supported Unconditionally and en masse by those hate-driven “Know Nothings”_the very azzez that have the unmitigated gall to keep spewing their irrational screams of “Obama is this” and “Obama is that” !?!
(Sigh!)...Spare Me.
As long as Pres, Obama actually governs in a manner that is supported by the majority of the American people_and it proves to be EFFECTIVE leadership _that’s all that matters to me.
BTW: Put me in the column of those who believe that the President is actually a “moderately liberal, CENTRIST Democrat”.
He's a Realist and pragmatic to the core. I’ve simply not seen/heard any signs, thus far, indicating that he subscribes strongly to any political ideology. In fact, IMO, he’s gone out of his way to indicate just the opposite.
I'll bet: Over the years, he took time to study, in great detail, the "Conservative-vs-Liberal" ideological wars of the past 30-40 years. No doubt, he's appalled by the madness it's wrought.
I also think: IF he could design a plan to save our economy WITHOUT saving Wall Street, he’d kick Wall Street’s azz to the curb "in a New York second."
Wall Street CRIME syndicates raped and pillaged this country into the ground. With the election of their “Caesar” Roanld Reagan _the GOP worked over-time to create the kind environment that not only made this whole Nightmare possible_but also highly PROBABLE.
GOP leaders d*mn near pissed themselves with GLEE at the prospect of being able to UNDO financial/banking regulations put in place by FDR _and Equal Rights/Civil Rights protections put in place by Lyndon Johnson.
GREED ruled the day_all day, every day_and Corruption flowed w/o fear of close scrutiny or Accountability.
The Dems either stood by idly and let it all happen OR in too many cases, they were Complicit up to their eyelids in the whole SCAM.
Simply put: Outside of needing to GET THE JOB DONE for the American people, I don’t think the President gives a fig about either party _and he cares even less about Wall Street.
But I've gone waaay off topic_my apologies!
The “know-Nothings” have thoroughly convinced me that they are a BACKWARDS-azz people and an ever-present Danger to themselves and to all Americans.
I have nothing but contempt for them and their fear-mongering.
So THIS is the GOPs economic plan for solving the critical problems confronting this country right now?!
Politico:
No Partners Yet On Birth Certificate Bill
By Ben Smith_Politico_3/16/09
The conspiracy theory over President Barack Obama’s birth certificate has reached the House bill hopper.
Late last week, Rep. Bill Posey, a freshman Republican from Florida, introduced a bill mirroring proposed state legislation in Missouri and elsewhere to require presidential candidates to produce copies of their birth certificates and other documentation to prove natural-born citizenship.
Obama has actually produced a copy of his Hawaii birth certificate, and it has been certified by the state of Hawaii. The so-called “birther” movement, however, is calling for Obama to release his original birth certificate.
“Opponents of President Obama are raising the birth certificate issue as a means of questioning his eligibility to serve as president,” Posey said in a statement.
“This bill, by simply requiring such documentation for future candidates for president, will remove this issue as a reason for questioning the legitimacy of a candidate elected as president.”
Posey had no co-sponsors as of Friday evening.]
Hat-tip: Huffington Post
So THIS is the GOP plan for addressing the needs of MILLIONS of Americans right now???
1. “Obama IS a socialist”
2. “Obama is NOT American”
And we're suppose to take these LOSERS seriously_smh.
I am so tired of the stupid red-baiting coming from these right-wing whackos. If actual Socialists disavow any connection with Obama then anyone who tries to put the label of "Socialist" on Obama must be:
1) Ignorant of actual Socialist ideas and actual Socialists
2) Is lying to you and trying to scare you
3) Both
I must admit I found the little exposure to the ideas of a bonafide Socialist in the Washington Post a refreshing break from the usual, partisan bickering between Democrats and Republicans. There is an entire world out there of good ideas on the important socio-economic issues of the day that aren't getting any exposure and which should!
I enjoy stopping into your blog from time to time.
As to the socialist charges, it is odd that such accusations are being bandied about.
Even more odd are poor Republicans who continue to stick with the party. The good ol' American dream thrives... maybe someday I will be rich, too and will need the Republican tax cuts! Ahem.
Chances are low income folks will do better with a little more socialism in the mix.
I added you to my blog roll. Keep up the good work.
Bobby McGill
http://www.idlewordship.com
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