John Nichols: "Socialist" Is Not an Epithet

[marmar]

from The Nation:



"Socialist" Is Not an Epithet
posted by John Nichols on 10/20/2008 @ 10:17am



"There is always a charge that socialism does not fit human nature. We've encountered that for a long time. Maybe that's true. But can't people be educated? Can't people learn to cooperate with each other? Surely that must be our goal, because the alternative is redolent with war and poverty and all the ills of the world." -- Frank Zeidler


John McCain hopes to revive his campaign by suggesting that Barack Obama is some kind of socialist.

The Republican nominee for president says that his Democratic rival's plan for stimulating the economy sounds "a lot like socialism."

"At least in Europe, the socialist leaders who so admire my opponent are up front about their objectives. They use real numbers and honest language. And we should demand equal candor from Senator Obama," the Arizona senator claimed over the weekend.

Asked if he thinks Obama is a socialist, McCain offers an insinuating raised eyebrow and a shrug non-response: "I don't know."

McCain is not really concerned about socialism. He is trying to suggest that Obama is somehow un-American.

Obama's no socialist.

But, as a Wisconsinite, I can't buy the basic premise of McCain's argument. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/373974/socialist_is_not_an_epithet?rel=hpbox

[RadicalTexan]

1. K & enthusiastic R

I concur.

[livelongandprosper]

2. Someone who actually lived in a socialist country

I can tell you : it doesn't work. It kills competition. People are lazy by nature and they don't compete with each other unless they are forced to do it.

But Americans by an large confuse socialism with progressive taxation.

And they don't know that socialism doesn't tolerate taxation since wages are determined by the state no matter where you work.