The "S" word..
By ersmommy1
@ersmommy1 (12588)
United States
October 18, 2008 1:19pm CST
McCain and Palin have been using this word alot lately in their speeches. THey are calling Obama a Socialist. 1. Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
2. The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved.
Do you think this is true? Has taking this approach turned anyone off?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@ClarusVisum (2163)
• United States
18 Oct 08
It turns a lot of people off, I think...especially since it comes off as McCarthyan.
"Socialist" is being turned into a pejorative by the right-wing, much like they've done with demonizing the term "liberal".
Thing is, lots of stuff in our everyday lives is socialized. Police and fire departments are, for example. Would any of us want to live in a society where you would only have cops and firefighters in your city if you could AFFORD them? Of course not. But no one notices that it makes sense to socialize certain things to a certain degree, and so they don't immediately realize what a load of nonsense using "socialize" with a tone and manner as if the word was actually "rape".
2 people like this
@DaddyOfTheRose (2934)
• United States
19 Oct 08
It is a basic attack by distraction attempt. They call Obama a socialist because they are interest in the interests of the wealthy and well to do. In this country, the wealthy have a number of ways to avoid paying taxes. The republican party thrives by providing those means. In the tax plan each one has put forward, the Republicans are geared more towards the old tired trickle down economics they have always tried. Obama is trying to ensure that the working people of America do not have to pay more.
On paper, Obama's plan is better for working people. Some tax breaks for the wealthy are closed and some very rich people may wind up paying more. Now, as those who have more have more to protect and more resources with which to pay. Some of those people, the to 5% might have an increase in their tax. The republicans, of course, can't stand this.
So, they call this a plan to 'move the wealth around' and apparently have started calling Obama "socialist." As far as I can see, in this context, it means "One who does not favor the rich over the poor."
Republicans have, for the last eight years, been able to adjust the tax laws in favor of the rich. They always do it. So, any rational tax adjustment this year should favor the lower and middle class whom the Republicans do not care about. The rich, who always get tax breaks and can pay skilled accountants to find more, shouldn't be too bothered by the plan.
However, McCain keeps presenting the tax plan inaccurately. As if the common man, 95% of the voting population, has any reason to worry about Obama's plan. It is a very classic tactic if misinterpretation and misdirection.
