Okay, let me say that this post does not apply to everyone. It’s directed to those who have specifically said to me that Obama is going to turn America into a “socialist” country. I’d also like to point out that this is my opinion and I respect that you have opinions too, that’s what comments are for, but if you can’t comment like an adult, then the right thing to do is close the page.
I can’t help it Internet People, I’ll try and make this my last political post. But I’m so freaking sick of people saying that Obama is turning America into a socialist country. Do these people even know what socialism is? Seriously? To me these people seem to equate socialism with “using taxes to pay for things poor people didn’t earn.” I’m sorry, but there’s more to it than that. Obama is a capitalist, but not the war mongering, I need to kill and bully so I take over the world type.
Do these people think that any government is doomed simply because it has a social program – programs like NASA, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security? Do you like policeman and firefighters? “Oh, your house is on fire? Can we schedule you next Saturday because you live in a lower income neighborhood and all the firefighters are off saving the wealthy? I’m sorry, your child can’t check a book out of the public library because you look like you might be poor and we need to save this book for a rich kid. I’m sorry, all the vaccinations were used up on kids who could pay for them.” Nobody gets to choose his or her parent. No child should be without proper health care or education.
European countries offer far more social assistance than the US – so do South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Does this make them “socialist?” Do you think they are they failures? And actually, the European countries that are socialist are among the highest functioning in the world, in politics, education, research, and humanitarian aid.
Americans are not stupid, but in general we are proven not to be the best thinkers; we believe everything we see on TV and we substitute emotion and gut reaction for thinking. The election of Obama as president marks the moment in history when Americans started to THINK for themselves. It was a landslide victory because people used their brains and elected the BEST candidate.
From my perspective, Obama believes in free enterprise, but that it should be responsibly governed. And this “redistribution of wealth” that is freaking so many people out, simply means that there needs to be an appropriate level of protections for working people who actually make the economy “go” by buying things and paying taxes.
If paying higher taxes will get this country back in shape, then I will do my part. Gladly. If paying higher taxes will give children health care and restore dignity to America so we can function with other countries on this planet we share, then let it be so and let the healing begin.
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Ok. Those people are wrong. Taxes in and of itself is like socialism. It takes money from the masses and redistributes it. So… while they were sleeping, we were socialist the minute they started the income tax during colonial is times. I mean, just sayin… ya know…? if they want to get all technical about it and all… So, just say whatever you want. It’s YOUR BLOG! Sheesh. People need to get a grip.
Good points. We do have socialist like programs already in our country and they are not going away. I appreciate you making some political posts on your blog. I know when I starting doing that and posting some gay rights stuff I certainly lost a portion of readers. So be it.
Anyway… the majority of people in this country are pretty ignorant when it comes to politics. It’s amazing talking to a European. Any European. About politics. not only do they know A LOT about their system, they know more than most Americans about our own system.
And let’s face it. We ARE a great country – but where are we ranked in life expectancy? Illiteracy? High School Graduation rates? Health care? We are certainly no where near as highly ranked as we should be for how rich of a country we are.
Right on, sistah! Seriously. People who bought the ‘Obama is a socialist, terrorist loving, extreme left wing activist’ got that story from the same people who are now giving you ‘Sarah Palin is an ignorant, protocol busting, answer-the-door-in-a-towel, McCain campaign killer’. Do you Obama fearing types still believe them?
Right on! Obviously, I don’t care whether you make political statements or not because I am a lefty like you seem to be. What I find highly offensive to are your wine posts because I am a beer person, but I am working on becoming a more sensitive, accepting person.
I’ve been reading your blog ever since I started running and first discovered running blogs. I wouldn’t stop reading even if I disagreed with your politics. But in this case I do agree and I hope you will always blog about whatever you believe in!
Preach it, sister. I agree and have been saying the same thing for years. Keep on keepin’ on!
Good for you, Susan. Very well said. All of the socialism comments baffle me almost as much as Joe the Plumber believing he will be taxed more under Obama than McCain, despite the fact he earns less than 250k. Way less. And yet all we’ve heard is how Obama just wants to take poor Joe’s money so people who don’t work at all can live on easy street. Please.
Thanks for restoring my belief that NOT ALL Americans are as ignorant as it seems now. I mean, Alaska is a redistributive state (residents get an oil profits check just for living there). Does that make Alaska a socialist state? No, because there is so much more to socialism than “redistribution of wealth.” People who spread this socialism silly talk should take a look back into history and look at what presidents like T. Roosevelt and Eisenhower did in the past. Then ask themselves if Obama really is a socialist.
I read your blog mainly to stay inspired to train and work out. But I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one to be bothered and annoyed with all this socialism talk.
You’ve still got a reader in me!
I don’t know much about socialism, but I think its hot when you rant, Susan.
Well I have to slightly disagree, even though I would probably be helped by his system initally. His tax plan is very socialistic. He is going to raise the riches tax and give the poor who dont even pay taxes a check. That is resdistribution of wealth. His health care plan is pretty good although I see how it could turn into a single payer system. The problem I have with many of these programs is they dont work. I worked at a grocery store where every day I would watch people come in and buy food with food stamp then head over and buy $150 dollars worth of lottery tickets and cigs. Show me a school lunch program and Ill be willing to help. Ill support people who CANT help themselves, but not those the WONT help themselves.
It’s your blog, Susan. Make political posts if you like. The “close” button is but one click away. Reading about you being you, with running as a part of your life, is a heck of a lot more interesting than reading about running, full stop.
I think more people need to read “The Tipping Point.” Actually, I think more people need to read whatever they need to read to get us back on track with intelligent discourse that can respectfully disagree. I never liked William Buckley’s politics, but I have come to miss his manners and his intelligence. Where has that gone from our national discourse?
Hope it all works out…for everybody.
The people who are labeling Obama a socialist are, by and large, the same people who would have the audacity to “boo” at the mention of Obama’s name during McCain’s (incredibly gracious) concession speech.
People want to label Obama an elitist, but then not give him credit for being smart enough to figure out an economic policy that makes sense – for the country.
Oh that’s right, these people aren’t concerned about the welfare of the *country*, they are primarily concerned about themselves. What’s going to happen to *me*? What about *my* taxes? Never mind that those who would take a hit on their taxes have more wealth than the average American could dream of. Never mind that most of those wealthy people – or their grandfathers, or their great grandfathers -made their money on the backs of those people whom they now want to ignore. How can people who still have a boot print on their backs now find a way to pull themselves up by their bootstraps?
Why don’t people understand that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link?
Not everyone thinks of success as evil. Say someone decides he’s tired of being an employee and starts his own business, it succeeds, he pays his people a fair wage, and he himself make a lot of money. Why should he be punish for being wealthy. He took a risk and now is getting rewarded. Any of his co-workers could have done the same, but chose not to. Stiffling small business will kill this economy.
This whole socialism accusation confused me so much that I thought I had the wrong impression of what socialism was, so I (GASP!) looked it up!!!! (Instead of taking what was being said for face value.) From what I understand and what I can tell (and I’m no economist nor have I studied Mr. Obama’s tax plan in depth) what he’s proposing is not socialism. Go look it up and see for yourself!
BTW, Mr. Markl – I wanted to reply to your food stamps comment. This comes from personal experience and something I will NEVER forget. As a college student living in Pittsburgh I was grocery shopping one day behind a young woman (probably only a few years older than myself) with a small child and food stamps. This woman was buying groceries for her family. She had a HUGE fistful of coupons cut from the newspaper or mailed fliers the rest of us throw away. She took her order, which was somewhere upwards of $70, down to $40 or so with coupons and then bought her food with food stamps. Now, I don’t know her situation, but I could speculate and think any number of things – she was a blue collar worker who had lost her job, or a former college student/unwed mother who decided not to get an abortion and have her child (which by the way you can’t have it both ways – make everyone have children they can’t afford AND take away the programs that help them get back on their feet, but that’s a totally different story…)
I just remember how in awe I was that she was taking so much responsibility for the money taxes had given her that it almost made me cry. There are SO many stories like that (I have others), so please don’t just blanket statement things about those less fortunate than yourself just because there are others that take advantage of the system. If you really feel that strongly about it, think of your taxes as your charitable contribution to society and move on.
Well stated Susan.
P.S. Sorry Susan, I’m sure you didn’t want to turn this into some sort of political debate in your comments section!
omg, excellent post again Susan.
I know this republican who compains about “socialism” yet is happily taking NY unemployment benefit (even tho he now lives in FL).
Socialism is what makes a country humanitarian. I can’t for the life of me understand why the term is a dirty word.
Thanks for point out the european example. Trust me internet people – the quality of life is MUCH better in those countries than here….
thanks for being brave and voicing the truth Susan. god knows, I don’t on my blog. not sure why…
I had trouble logging on to comment and for a minute thought it was a vast right-wing conspiracy. Let’s give the guy a chance, people.
Laura,
Im not a right wing meany. I give a lot thru our church and local food bank, schools etc.
To me most government programs seem like 20 cents on the dollar goes to those who need it. The govenment just doesnt do a good job and weeding out those take it as a handout not a hand up.
How is obama tax plan where poorer people who dont even pay taxes, get a check, not redistribution of wealth. I could even maybe if the rich were taxed more so more people would pay less. Which is still wrong.
Very well said.
You can add Australia in the list of countries that offer good social programs but isn’t a “socialist country”. Like the free medical care we have for all citizens.
I wonder at times about the red/blue US political system. The red and blues of our system are both closer to the middle. Purple? I think it’s because in our culture we believe in a “fair go” for all – that means from the down-and-outs to the unemployed, to the workers, to the professionals, to the small and big businesses.
Thanks Susan.
I just don’t get the mentality that believes so many poor people are out to rip me off and exploit me so I can work hard to support their lottery ticket habit. Does it happen? Sure, probably. But that is the least of this country’s problems. We’ve got much bigger fish to fry, and if my tax money helps someone in need along the way, I feel happy and fortunate to be on the giving end rather than the receiving end.
Yeah, the socialist thing is getting old. It’s the same progressive income tax we’ve always had. Keep on keeping on, Susan. I love your humor on your blog and it’s YOUR blog–you have every right to voice your opinions. Unfortunately the anonymity of the Internet has created an entire sub-culture of pitiful trolls…
I think I started reading your blog when I first started blogging. Somewhere in the middle I lost you, don’t know what happened, but then I am glad I found you again. I love reading all your posts, from the puppies, to wine, to squats, to politics! It’s great! Too bad some people have to make things not so fun, and be rude. Sorry to hear about that.
I am also so sick of people saying that he is going to be assissinated.
I really hate talking politics but I agree with you Susan. I will continue to read this blog. (in case you were worried).
Mark – What you are missing is just a basic understanding of how the economy works in this country. What I am sick to death of hearing is how Obama is going to take my money and give it to people who DON’T PAY TAXES.
Well, buddy, let me clear a few things up. Unless someone is living in a hut in the woods and they don’t ever have a need for things like electricity or clothing, then they are paying taxes whether you want to believe it or not. Because it our society, we don’t just tax income. We tax everything. So if these “people” (I feel the need to use some McCain dick fingers here) buy anything, ever, then they pay taxes. If they ride a bus, they pay taxes. If they buy a shirt, they pay taxes. If they pay for electricity, or get french fries from Burger King, they pay taxes.
There is no “get out of taxes” card they can present when purchasing toilet paper that saves them from paying the same taxes the rest of us pay.
So they don’t pay income taxes. Maybe. That’s because they don’t have any INCOME.
Maybe somewhere there’s someone living in a dumpster who pays no income tax and also buys nothing and never uses public transportation. I have a feeling that President-Elect Obama is not going to be delivering checks to their dumpsters on Monday morning.
So cut out the whole they don’t pay taxes spiel, because it’s not true and it makes you look like an idiot.
I think if someone has no income, then they probably need the help more than those of us who do. And if my paying a smidge more in taxes (which I won’t under obama’s plan) helps their kids get a hot lunch or a warm coat, then I am JUST FINE with that.
I guess you didnt read the post about commenting like an adult.
I was using the wording from obama tax plan talking about people making under 42,000 not paying any taxes.
Man you guys are angry.
I dont think people are out to rip me off or people are stealing my money, I just think the government does it so inefficently. Ill give on my own Thanks.. It does more good.
Eight years of living under a President who failed to govern ANYTHING and whose idea of freedom is to invade countries and force them to take it whether they want it or not tends to make people angry.
Markl,
Please site your source that people making under $42k will not pay taxes under Obama’s plan.
OMG…what did I miss today? I LOVE a good poli-chat.
I love your blog Susan, because you are articulate and because you chose to do kick-ass videos of your work-out torture sessions, and because you write with such love about your family, and because I get good wine recommendations from you AND because you voice your opinion about political issues that are important to you…
So, rock-on girl.
BTW…the very wealthy already know how to NOT pay their fair-share of taxes, and do so quite effectively. They know about the tax loopholes, and the safe-havens for storing their equity. They can pay the tax attorneys to hide their wealth. They can pay the accountants to find all of the write-offs they are legally entitled to for this year, and to find some more for next. It’s really the middle and lower classes who have been bearing (over-proportionally), the tax burden. I get really tired of hearing about protecting the wealthy from paying more taxes when I know how much more I’ve paid in taxes (as a middle income American) and how much less my brother-in-law (a relatively wealthy person) pays because he has the where-with-all not to. GAH!!!
Also…he voted for Obama anyway, because he knows the system is inherently unfair; he just knows how to work the system, so he does.
Oooh. I didn’t know Amy was so fervent. You go girl.
I may not read you anymore if you keep writing about that bikey thing. All it does is kill your husband anyway.
I like workouts. Let’s see some more track speedwork!!
I was wrong it wasnt 42k it was 42% of people pay no federal income tax and obamas plan would give them all check for $1000.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121910303529751345.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Susan said we could discuss this like adults in the comments. I was trying to do that. Sorry we cant all act like that. Im done.
Susan asked why people thought he was a socialist. His tax plan calls for giving those who dont pay any federal income tax a check, the money from the richer is being given to the poorer, its not going to any government program, or schools. We are not talking about if the rich dont need it and the poor do. It is redistribution of wealth “Socialism” that is why people are calling him a socialist.
I get tired of only hearing george bush 8 years bad, I never here anybody given any examples. If you look at the numbers 2000-2006 unemployment was low stock market was at it highest and peoples wealth was up. 2006 democrats took over congress and everything went in the crapper. Does that mean it was the democrats fault. No it wasnt, but when you generalize everything you end up looking uneducated.
I am like the most non-political person there is, but I do have to comment. I think what is most unsettling to everyone is that we as decent human beings want our tax dollars to help those that are the most in need. My first job out of college was determining eligibility for welfare. I was a bright eyed 22 year old wanting to save the world. Boy was it a wake up call and quick. I found that a majority of my clients were life time welfare check receivers. The case folders were thick and a majority of my case load was 4th generation welfare families. There were days were it was a bitter pill to go to work and have folks yell and scream at me because they were getting less food stamps, etc. It was equally hard to deny those in need such as the elderly and the single mom’s. The most hard was watching another case worker deny my own sister who was going through a divorce and working, but just not making enough to feed her two children. I think we are all for helping those in need, but we find ourselves frustrated when an able body person is just abusing the system. I saw first hand that abuse of the systen on a daily basis! That is what is pissing people off…not Obama! It is equally hard to do my own taxes and realize that Joe and I pay more in income tax NOW than we made for a whole year in salary when we were first starting out. The point I want to make here is that I believe that this is a great country. I wouldn’t live any where else and I am so thankful for what I do have. I will pay extra taxes if needed, but at the end of the day I wouldn’t trade places with anyone else. I know that as an American I have it made! I wish Obama luck in solving the problems we have in America. I know I wouldn’t want that job in a million years.
It is about balance. Hindsight is 20/20. I would like a president that protects our country and frankly since we have had no suicide bombers or additional 9/11 tragedies I think we got just that. I appreciate that and I am thankful for that. When Bush came into office that is what we wanted…security. I don’t know how Obama will fair. I feel like he is a term or two too soon and he has stepped in deep doo doo which can’t all be blamed on Bush. I’m sorry it just can’t. The American people who got greedy and piggy need to spend some time in front of the mirror. Consumerism might make this country “go” but it also will be what puts an expiration date on quality of life. It is all relative. Balance. I hope Obama hits the right notes but I have feeling his bones will be picked cleaned before he gets a chance. As a country I feel we have lost respect for the office of the president. We all seem to have the answers and are really good at pointing the finger away from ourselves. Answers based on what we hear on Fox news. Answers based on a simplified understanding of the problem. We have economic experts who don’t have the answers but yet Joe Schmo does and it’s all Bush’s fault. Dopes. We want everything resolved “now” just like we want the flat screen “now” and the McMansion “now”. We are embarassing. I don’t know why anyone would want to be President but I try to support whoever is serving in that capacity.
Did someone say that no one ever gives examples why Bush is a bad president?
Well now, let us count the ways. Help me out and add to my list. I only have a few minutes before I have to leave for a game. But when I get home, I’ll add more.
Values faith over knowledge.
Thinks he owns the world.
How about that No Child left behind thing?
Tax cuts for the rich.
He is against gay marriage.
Starting an immoral war that has drained our treasury and is the reason for the pointless slaughter of thousands of Iraqis and US citizens.
Using fear to gain votes.
He has ignored global warming entirely.
He’s done nothing to develop new energy sources.
Starting things and not finishing them – hello Bin Laden.
Unconstitutional spying.
He’s been on vacation during this whole this economic crisis.
He is the he worst mangler of the English language ever.
To be continued . . .
I plan on supporting the president, I want him to succeed. If he succeeds we all do. Do I think he’s going at it the right way? No but since this is america a can voice my opinion. Does welfare help people yes, do people abuse it yes. We are in this financial mess not because of bush or clinton, its because most people dont have any personal responibility. I tried to discuss this rationaly and got clobbered on.
to add to susan’s list:
*he forgot to respond to hurricane katrina
*he’s cut funding to numerous social programs and is spending $12 billion per month on the war in iraq
*he’s somehow bypassed the system of checks and balances
*torture policies & guantanamo bay
*illegally detaining american citizens (and the rest of the patriot act)
*he vetoed health care legislation for children
*that stupid border fence issue
ps: loved your post!
An example of Bush being a bad president? Well, the fact that he wasn’t invited to speak at the Republican National Convention, HIS OWN PARTY, speaks volumes that no one wants to be associated with him! The only person who mentioned him in their speech was his wife! No Republican wanted him campaigning for them. When Clinton left office, we had a 7 hundred billion dollar surplus (I don’t even know how to WRITE that number). During the Bush administration, the national debt has doubled and is now $10 trillion dollars. I could go on but I won’t. It’s a pretty well known fact that W will go down as the worst president in history.
Values faith over knowledge – what does that even mean. That he lets his sense of right and wrong guide him.
Thinks he owns the world. That seems pretty far fetched. Gimme a break.
Ill give you the NCLB, it needed to be funded, but the NEA needed to get rid of bad teachers. The Dem congress didnt do anything to change the funding on this.
Some beleive tax cuts for the rich stimulate the economy, you dont. That doesnt mean is didnt do anything.
Against gay marraige. He’s a christian, he thinks it wrong, He was for allowing civil unions.
what about the thousands being slaughter by saddam before we went in.
Fear to gain votes?
Global warming. We can both find experts saying both ways. Ill believe it when there is proof.
Dems are the one blocking more drilling, more refineries and nuclear plants.
Have they stopped looking to Bin laden. No.
have you heard obama talk when he doesnt have the teleprompter. Talking about visiting all 57 states.
Mary,
If my kids are watching their favorite tv show and I tell them its time to go to bed. I know Im not the most popular person right then. Does that mean I was wrong?
How come no one has commented on the reason for this post. If Obamas tax plan of giving those who dont pay federal income tax a check is socialistic.
I think the major reason our two sides will never agree is because we have a fundamentally different idea about what government is FOR. Being a “dyed in the wool” democrat (Yes, I walked a picket line singing union songs with my dad when I was in grade school and he was a teacher getting laid off because people in our city wanted tax cuts) I believe that government is here to HELP ITS CITIZENS. Most of the time that means making sure the roads are usable, having public education accessible to all citizens, etc., but it also means helping those citizens who need it when the time comes. A big part of that is health care, which is one of the reasons I voted for Obama. What good is government if it can’t help me when I need it? I work hard and I do all the right things, but we’ve all read about people who do just that, and then are hit with a devastating illness that they can’t afford, even WITH health insurance. I’m so tired of people running for office saying, “I’ve run a successful business, and that’s how I’ll run my office.” Well, you know what? The government should not be a for-profit endeavor. Businesses are in it to make money, not help people, and to me that’s a lot worse than socialism.
Hey Runner Susan…just did a little cause/effect thinking…if my dad hadn’t gotten laid off from teaching because of the aforementioned tax cuts, he wouldn’t have had to get a new job right away, he wouldn’t have had to work on an oil tanker and be gone two months at a time, so my mom probably wouldn’t have said “we need to move back to Indiana so I can be by my family since you’re gone all the time”, and I wouldn’t have met you in eighth grade! Wow! There really is always a silver lining.
Susan,
I love your and amy blog and will continue to read, but as rachel stated we are coming from two opposite sides. I only origialy posted to answer your question, I got bashed on a fought back. Its just not worth my fight. Good luck with your training.
I have one. He forgot to get a blow job from an intern! Sorry…maybe not very adult but I couldn’t resist.
Wow! Your sister is funny, but not as funny as Betty. I enjoyed the post and the discussion to follow.
*opposing the new GI Bill for returning veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan
*surrounding himself with people pushing their own agenda for America instead of developing an agenda aimed at bettering the American people
*wall street deregulation and no business oversite – if you allow children free reign in the candy store, they will gorge themselves, puke and then eat more.
That’s all I got. Other than that, I’d like to thank Bush for being such an embarassing representative of our country for the last 8 years.
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