Wealth Redistribution - Will the Real Socialist Please Stand Up

[Tom Wetmore]

Who said the following:

"So we share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs."

a.) Karl Marx

b.) Hugo Chavez

c.) Sarah Palin

d.) Barak Obama

If you answered "c", Sarah Palin, you would be correct! That's right all you happy capitalistic Republicans, Sarah Palin said it, AND ACTUALLY IMPLIMENTED THIS SOCIALISTIC IDEA in Alaska.

Here is the full quote:

"And Alaska—we’re set up, unlike other states in the union, where it’s collectively Alaskans own the resources. So we share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs. … It’s to maximize benefits for Alaskans, not an individual company, not some multinational somewhere, but for Alaskans."

Palin the Wealth Spreader

Tom

[lazarus]

I bet they weren't banking on that kind of Maverickness!!!!

[John317]

I get the idea-- Palin's a socialist too. By that standard we could say Reagan was a socialist. Blur the lines. Just confuse people about what socialism is. Make it look like both candidates are socialists and that we've already been a socialist country for years anyway. That lowers the defenses against socialism.

If we can't deny that Obama is very liberal or a socialist, then we just say it is good to be a socialist and that we want him anyhow.

[fccool]

John, the idea is that protesting socialism would require protesting it as a whole. Not just pick and choose what you want to protest.

Historically, I think that FDR started the whole mess. I agree that short term it may have been beneficial, but I don't think government let go of all the power. That's the thing about socialism.... when you begin to spin the wheel, the people who spin it will not let you just stop it.

It takes 50% of American taxpayers income to run the government. Naturally, the government workers who are concerned about their job security will do everything possible to keep it that way. Once you start the "new deal" it's kind of hard to give it up.

So, if you do protest against socialism, why not protest against all of the aspects? To me, the property taxes are much bigger issue than income taxes. I may get buy without having a job, yet if I don't have an income... I'm not even allowed to keep my house! What kind of system is that?

[Tom Wetmore]

...Blur the lines. Just confuse people about what socialism is...

You started this silly bit of confused nonsense about Obama being a socialist on this forum. And what Obama said that is being harped about by Palin/McCain is really what she did in Alaska. You/They can't weasel out of it now. It is the old saying, "He who lives in a glass house shouldn't throw stones."

Originally Posted By: John317

...Make it look like both candidates are socialists and that we've already been a socialist country for years anyway. That lowers the defenses against socialism.

No. It's just pointing out the foolishness and ignorance of the argument. And lowering defenses about socialism is a whole lot less reprehensible than the outdated Cold War Red Scare fear-mongering tactic of trying to re-characterize any Democratic idea as being socialist/communist. It only shows how desperately out of date and out of touch the Republican/McCain/Palin camp really is!

[John317]

At first it was denial that Obama is very liberal, then it's acceptance, then it's so what? You blur the lines that make a distinction. Now it's silly. That is the usual way it goes when there are no other defenses.

[Woody]

Yes. John . They just have no more defenses. All they can resort to is name calling for the VP candidate. They can't even attack the main man.

[Bravus]

Nup. Those different responses come from different people. I always said "Great!" when people said Obama was very liberal (although I may have debated the methodology on the "most liberal" claim). I also posted months ago saying 'socialism is not a dirty word'.

[Woody]

I am listening to Obama's 3 Million Dollar propaganda ad on Fox. It is amazing what money will buy. They are saying that in the swing States ... he is outspending McCain by 10 times. Amazing.

[fccool]

It's pretty amazing support from people and businesses, considering that he is a socialist who comes to spread the wealth around and tax the rich.

[Bravus]

(the tide is turning, verse 2)

Currently in Australia we have Labor (centre left) governments federally and in all states and territories. It seems as though the Western democracies in general are undergoing a shift toward a much greater focus on helping those less fortunate. (Canada has just re-elected a minority right-wing government counter to that trend but that was due to disarray among the left-wing parties in Canada at the moment.)

So I won't be at all surprised to see an Obama government and a Democrat-led House and Senate in the US. It seems like a generational change.

[carolaa]

Yes. John . They just have no more defenses. All they can resort to is name calling for the VP candidate. They can't even attack the main man.

Calling Sarah Palin a socialist isn't any different from calling Obama a socialist.

[Woody]

One is true and one is not.

[fccool]

Redwood, elaborate.

[Woody]

It's pretty amazing support from people and businesses, considering that he is a socialist who comes to spread the wealth around and tax the rich.

Nothing to do with wealth. It has to do with a broken promise.

[fccool]

Can you explain your view better. I'm confused about a point you are trying to make. Who's broken promise are you talking about?