A great President Harry Truman quote on the Republicans' "socialism" smear

[YoungDemCA]

“The Republicans … will try to make people believe that everything the Government has done for the country is socialism. They will go to the people and say: "Did you see that social security check you received the other day—you thought that was good for you, didn't you? That's just too bad! That's nothing in the world but socialism. Did you see that new flood control dam the Government is building over there for the protection of your property? Sorry—that's awful socialism! That new hospital that they are building is socialism. Price supports, more socialism for the farmers! Minimum wage laws? Socialism for labor! Socialism is bad for you, my friend. Everybody knows that. And here you are, with your new car, and your home, and better opportunities for the kids, and a television set—you are just surrounded by socialism! Now the Republicans say, ‘That's a terrible thing, my friend, and the only way out of this sinkhole of socialism is to vote for the Republican ticket.’"

Source: http://www.firedupmissouri.com/editorials/10-truest-things-harry-truman-said-about-republicans

The more things change.....

[indepat]

1. To Repukes, to promote the general welfare is pure de socialism, but to promote

the welfare of large corporations and the uber-wealthy is pure de the glory of capitalism.

[Snake Plissken]

2. The republicans have been reduced to a caricature

nobody other than wackjob fundamentalists and mentally unstable angry old White men take them seriously, even the billionaires who own the party know they own a party of morons, but it's their only option to continue stealing

[Rebellious Republican]

3. K&R!

[GeoWilliam750]

4. Where are the Democrats with bare knuckles and hard truth today?

[calimary]

8. Welcome to DU, GeoWilliam750!

Glad you're here! Man, what a good question!!! We here have been asking that for quite some time now. And it's only now that we're noticing open displays of Democratic backbone that we can actually see, hear, and feel! NICE change! Hope it keeps up!

[Scuba]

16. ...

Hat tip to DUer RC for this great graphic.

[IrishAyes]

5. Harry always did know what to say and how to handle bullies.

[ailsagirl]

6. He sure did, but the repukes back then weren't like today's crackpots

But then, he would still have kicked

[IrishAyes]

11. We kick as long and hard as it takes.

[ailsagirl]

12. Damn straight!!!

The donkey is stubborn, another word for tenacious. We're staying the course (as you wrote) as long as it takes!!!

[IrishAyes]

13. A lot of people forget Lincoln had to declare martial law at one point to save the union.

No one except TPs for their own reasons wants to see that. But anything's better than letting a small contingent of crazies take over the country or split it into pieces.

[calimary]

7. NAILS it!

[Robbins]

9. Remember this quote

Cwoad:Give em hell,harry

Truman:I just tell them the truth.And they think It's hell.

[Doctor_J]

10. Eh. the current president bristles at being called liberal.

He refers to himself as a moderate Republican. No wonder the party is on the ropes.

[IronLionZion]

14. Some things never change

Its amazing the other side is still spreading the same bullshit and our side should have more Harry Trumans fighting for what's right instead of getting defensive about it.

Dems have done well on a lot of issues but really need to stand stronger on the PR battleground.

[eridani]

15. People who whine about "socialism" usually don't know the difference--

--between Karl Marx and Groucho Marx. What they are attacking is the notion of public goods. Never ever say that Obamacare (or whatever) is not "socialism"--that just reinforces their frame. Attack their attack on public goods. Note: it would be very helpful if more Dems specifically defended the notion by name and with values statements, not just laundry lists of useful programs.

[B Calm]

17. The same people love Medicare and want the government

to keep their hands off of it. There are many low/no information know-nothings across America and they are all republicans!

[bvar22]

18. Thank You. I am unfamiliar with that quote.

I am adding it to my library of quotes from great Liberal Democrats!

[font size=2]
"I've seen it happen time after time. When the Democratic candidate allows himself to be put on the defensive and starts apologizing for the New Deal and the Fair Deal, and says he really doesn't believe in them, he is sure to lose. The people don't want a phony Democrat. If it's a choice between a genuine Republican, and a Republican in Democratic clothing, the people will choose the genuine article, every time; that is, they will take a Republican before they will a phony Democrat, and I don't want any phony Democratic candidates in this campaign."
---President Harry Truman

QED:2010[/font]


[font size=4]Leadership! "The Buck Stops HERE!" NO Excuses![/font]




You will know them by their [font size=3]WORKS,[/font]
not by their Excuses.

[bvar22]

19. Adding:

#7. [font size=3]"Carry the battle to them, don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything."[/font]

#9.[font size=3] "Republicans approve of the American farmer, but they are willing to help him go broke.

*They stand four-square for the American home--but not for housing.

*They are strong for labor--but they are stronger for restricting labor's rights. They favor minimum wage--the smaller the minimum wage the better.

*They endorse educational opportunity for all--but they won't spend money for teachers or for schools.

*They think modern medical care and hospitals are fine--for people who can afford them.

*They consider electrical power a great blessing--but only when the private power companies get their rake-off.

*They think American standard of living is a fine thing--so long as it doesn't spread to all the people.

* And they admire the Government of the United States so much that they would like to buy it."[/font]

Harry Truman
One of my favorite Democrats!
A Flaming, SCREAMING, unashamed, Fringe Leftist, [font size=3]LIBERAL[/font] on our current conservative political spectrum,
but fairly Mainstream-Center at the time.
Like me.

[xchrom]

20. +1