Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
How many people out there who are accusing Obama of being a "socialist" actually understand the term?
I think it's quite interesting that after some McCain/Palin supporters got some air time on CNN ranting and raving about the "socialists" Obama and Pelosi, all of a sudden people who can barely put together a sentence are throwing the word around a if they understand what it means.
If you're going to claim to understand socialism, don't just cut and paste Wikipedia information. And don't just rely on Obama saying "spread the wealth around." Point to specific policies.
Citing a definition verbatim doesn't demonstrate knowledge of the topic. Socialism is more complicated than "spreading the wealth around." The taxes paid by everyone - whether it be middle class or 250k plus isn't going directly into the hands of the poor. Tax dollars are distributed across programs that benefit everyone.
There's no need for name calling or using phrases like "grow up."
If your understanding of socialism went beyond a sound bite or a one paragraph wikipedia definition, you would understand that socialism is much more complex than that.
Socialism in the sense that some right-wingers are trying to convince us that Obama's policies will lead to (and trying to invoke ideas about Lenin, etc. - scare tactics) - involves public ownership of all property. I don't think that imposing a higher tax percentage on those with higher incomes equates to proposing that there should be no privately owned property, businesses, etc.
So if you want me to concede the point that Obama has socialistic tendencies because he's concerned about equality, sure I'll give you that, but you're the one who is "delusional" (to use your words) if you buy into rightwing theories that Obama is proposing a socialist society in which capitalism and entrepreneurship is no longer an option.
5 Answers
- MakawaoLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
From the textbook source below, "Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism by nature concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital, and creates an unequal society. All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly, although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how, and to what extent this could be achieved."
Senator Obama told Joe the Plumber on the air that he was not trying to punish success, but rather shift the wealth around (redistribution). Further, he plans to pay for most of his redistributive policies using money from those making $250k/yr+ (which is far from rich in a lot of places in the US).
I don't believe he follows every tenet of socialism, but those are two awfully big, red (pun intended) flags.
Source(s): Newman, Michael. (2005) Socialism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-280431-6 - Christopher PLv 41 decade ago
"Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism by nature concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital, and creates an unequal society. All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly, although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how, and to what extent this could be achieved.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism#cite_note-S...
What the hell are you talking about? I gave you the DEFINITION and you somehow say it is not enough. Grow up and educate yourself if you think that Obama does not lean toward and propose socialistic values. YOU are delusional.
Here's a specific policy for you: he is going to INCREASE (take from) the "rich" and REBATE (give to) the poor who pay NO INCOME TAXES. This is a redistribution of wealth in it's purest form...or an attempt to "spread around the wealth" if you will allow me to go out on a limb. Obviously, I don't have to tell you that is exactly what came out of his mouth.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Actually Obama is more of a Marxist with socialistic tendencies.
Marx said "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need" Sure sounds a lot like Obama when he said we need to spread the wealth.
- How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
their scare tactics are starting to backfire - they have been using the same tactics since JFK - who they also labeled as a socialist/communist - people are starting realize they are FOS
