Varying Degrees of Socialism
Posted by: Michael S. Kerr | 10/09/2008 8:20 PM
I have spent the last couple of months trying to remain optimistic; looking at the glass as half full. I believe the old adage that says, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Well, I think we've got ourselves a lemon with John McCain. While the addition of Sarah Palin to the ticket reenergized my faith, McCain's remarks at the last debate have soured my optimism. Free market conservatism has been left holding a half empty glass of bad lemonade. A recent post by Greenfaucet contributor, Chip Hanlon makes the point.
I know what some of you are thinking; John McCain is much better than the alternative and now is not the time to rail against our guy. John McCain may have an (R) next to his name but that's largely where the difference ends.
Both John McCain and Barack Obama represent a major step towards socialism. Granted, Obama is more inclined towards a leftist agenda, but McCain's recent proposals aren't much better. The only clear advantage with John McCain are his foreign policy positions. Regardless of who wins in November, for champions of limited government, 'tis the season of discontent.
I know what some of you are thinking; John McCain is much better than the alternative and now is not the time to rail against our guy. John McCain may have an (R) next to his name but that's largely where the difference ends.
Both John McCain and Barack Obama represent a major step towards socialism. Granted, Obama is more inclined towards a leftist agenda, but McCain's recent proposals aren't much better. The only clear advantage with John McCain are his foreign policy positions. Regardless of who wins in November, for champions of limited government, 'tis the season of discontent.
CATEGORY:
FEATURE, John McCain
The 'Clinton' loans were done long before this mess & would have had a significant impact long ago...
The glass is half full - of poisoned kool aid. GOP voters have drunk from this cup for far too long.
It's pretty bad when Barrack Obama's ideas make better economic sense than the GOP candidated (such as Obama bashing McCain's idea of having regular folks who pay their mortgages on time buy the bad mortgages of those who don't.)
From each according to his ability?
MK & Drinketh - Well put (though I don't agree at all with MK - on McCain being better for USA foreign policy).
The Republican primary system OBVIOUSLY need overhauled - it hasn't generated a decent Republican President/candidate since Reagan.
Maybe losing this election by a landslide with the least Republican candidate ever is what the Republican Party needs to rethink it's direction.
Keeping 3rd parties out of the public spotlight has hurt leadership as well - allowing "ideas" to be advanced from a partisan, "politically correct" vacuum.
GIGO - & no one to say boo . . . .
The risk with a McCain administration is the untold damage he will do to an already tarnished GOP brand name. Where is Newt Gingrich!! Help.
Mr. Kerr, do you know what actual socialism is? As I asked on another part of this board, have you ever read any socialist authors or treasties (rousseau, luxembourg etc). Socialism is not 'any interference of the market by the government. If it was, the oh-so-enjoyed subsidies that go to oil companies, farmers, airlines and the auto industry would have put America on the socialist wagon years ago (starting, ironically enough, under nixon, and continued under Reagan).
I still find it amazing that conservatives have so much ire towards something they (often) know absolutly nothing about other than what some politician/pundit/long outdated propagandic rally cry tells them.
Oh, thanks for clarifying. I just don't understand all the merits of socialism. We conservatives aren't familiar with all that fancy book learning. Can I find Rousseau or Luxembourg on tape? Are there editions of these books with pop up pictures?
My point is that both John McCain and Barack Obama represent big government solutions to problems that, ironically, government interference created in the first place. They are advocating the same collectivist ideas that are the hallmark of socialism.
IH, outdated rallying cry? That's all the champions of your failed system have left. Take a crack at Hayek or Rand....or a ninth grade history book.