The Communist Crap

[johnlal]

Cool it with the Communist Crap
By lallylaw on Oct 28, 2008 | In Politics | Send feedback » | Edit...

Obama's not a communist. Obama's not a socialist.
Raising tax rates is not an inherently socialist thing to do.
Rebuilding the social programs that have been gutted by Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush is not socialism.

We CAN afford to spend more on social programs. If the Bush administration has taught us anything, it's that Congress can pull hundreds of billions of dollars out of its collective butt for any reason or for no reason. They are able to fund unpopular and unnecessary wars. They are able to fund the extravagant lifestyles of Wall Street Bankers. Politicians no longer have an excuse for cutting social programs. The money is there.

So rich people are getting nervous. They are afraid that Congress is going to raise their taxes. They are afraid the money will be spent on social programs rather than on tax loopholes, bailouts, incentives, and "stimulus". So they don't talk about boring things like tax brackets or appropriations. They talk about scary things like "socialism" and "communism".

You know how we've been complaining about the high cost of healthcare for years-- and how Congress needs to do something about it? That's what they're calling "socialism".

You know how bridges are crumbling and falling apart all over the country-- and how we need the government to invest in our infrastructure? That's what they're calling "earmarks".

Medical and scientific research and education is called "out-of-control spending".

Housing the homeless, caring for orphans and foster children, taking care of veterans-- That's what they're calling "communism".

There are people in our country who are making billions of dollars, yet they don't know what to do with the money. They buy professional atletic teams and gold umbrella stands. They buy fleets of collector automobiles or thousand-dollar shower curtains. They throw lavish parties on privately-owned islands with pop-star entertainment and ice sculptures that pee champagne into your glass. Spread the wealth? That wouldn't be a bad thing.

And right now, there are no rules. The name of the game is take what you can with both hands. Nobody else is bound by traditional rules. Congress has opened up the vault of our treasury and is telling their friends to bring a wheelbarrow. If the poor and middle class can get their share, then don't agonize over labels like "Socialism" and "Communism". Get in there and get some.

But does anybody really believe that that's going to happen? Does anybody really believe that anything other than a modest tax increase will occur? Very doubtful.