Stop psychosis over socialism (Demas / Detroit News)

[struggle4progress]

Friday, April 3, 2009
Commentary
Stop psychosis over socialism
Susan J. Demas

... The idea that Barack Obama is a socialist should be considered as crazy as questioning his birth certificate. But even a New York Times reporter recently asked Obama, "Are you a socialist as some people have suggested?" ...

In a nutshell, Marxist socialists want the workers to revolt -- violently, if necessary -- and take over the means of production, with the state controlling the economy and mandating equal pay for all jobs. This is just a transition period, a stop on the communist express, before the state falls away and is replaced by an egalitarian society where everybody owns everything together. (For those keeping score at home, this has never been achieved in any country) ...

I partied with real, live socialists back in college, went to some meetings and have interviewed several at assorted rallies over the years. Here's the thing: Real socialists don't hail Barack Obama as their fearless leader, but as a tool of the capitalist system ...

And no, not even letting the Bush tax cuts die makes Obama a candidate for communist canonization. That's a mere income tax increase of 4.6 percentage points for the richest among us (to 39.6 percent), which is nothing compared with the 90 percent rate under Dwight Eisenhower ...

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090403/OPINION01/904030319/1008/OPINION01/Stop+psychosis+over+socialism

author confuses socialism with communism

[Democracyinkind]

1. yeah and toss in a clear understanding of "social democracies"

..as well, since there seems to be some confusion about "ole communist Europe". All European Countries, EU or not, are democracies who tend to be built around social principles or have socialized certain aspects of public interest (health care, pensions, etc.). That does not make them socialist. Most of the Europeans that get labeled as "socialist" by Fox and co. are self-named SOCIAL DEMOCRATS - big difference... they should care to make it.

[MissMarple]

2. It is tragic that so many Americans are so ignorant about various forms of government.

Many on the paranoid far right will cling mindlessly to a kind of fascism while they froth at the mouth over a bit of common sense social stability. I guess those people can be found every where, but we just seem to have so many more of them. We are seeing the results of the efforts the corporate interests started in earnest in the 1960's.

[Democracyinkind]

3. Totally agree, and it's not uniquely american for sure

... it's just that American Wing nuts are such a vocal minority. No wonder with all the Scaifes and Scums.

[Demeter]

4. Well, then, I Guess that Makes Me a Socialist

and if Obama is offended by being called a capitalist tool, then he should fire his economic team and start over.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. Almost none of the people who say "Obama is a socialist" know what that means

They know only that socialists are supposed to be EEEEEVVVVVILLLLL.

I have challenged some of the wingnuts who spew into my local paper to go to the website of the Socialist Workers' Party, read its platform, and then tell me how Obama matches the SWP platform.

So far, no one has taken me up on it. :evilgrin: