BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Democratic Party Obama....a Socialist or Exemplifies Democracy?

I wanted to address the idea that Obama is a "Socialist," as opposed to a "Democrat." There seems to be some fear out there, and now that Obama has been elected, I deeply desire to put some minds at rest that President Obama could not more perfectly exemplify Democracy. Below, I have pasted in the definitions of socialist, democracy and republic from Dictionary.com.

To clarify, this is a beautiful Obama pre-election interview with Rachel Maddows:
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As you've stated, there are many forms of socialism. Socialism implies governmental ("national") control of goods, services and/or production (all or in some part) for the "greater good". So in that sense, yes. You are talking about socialism. Socialism also refers to redistribution of wealth and power, i.e. "creation of an egalitarian society." Social democrats, like Obama, propose selective nationalization of key national industries (i.e. the coal industry, banking and finance, the media) in mixed economies combined with tax-funded welfare programs and programs that benefit societal welfare (Obama's healthcare proposal).

These are Obama's stated goals. If you choose to interpret them differently, that's your option. But, if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and acts like a duck, its a duck.

It's done. Time to come together, everyone, and working on making this country (and world) a better place for all. I am so thrilled! I can't wait to roll up my sleeves with Obama and get started!

Hi Lynn,
I do understand your perspective. But where you see egalitarianism, I see equality, which is at the core of democracy. I fully understand that this is where Obama is moving towards.

When the distribution of wealth comes up, many people draw back. But I'll share how I see it. I see the notion as a way around the repercussions of NAFTA on America. When this action took place, the employment of millions of working Americans, was shifted to millions of now working citizens of other countries. It is beyond politically incorrect to discuss this issue, as it makes one appear to be insensitive to foreign countries. But, the reality is, that if capitalism is going to work, corporations need to "spread their wealth" by giving back to their country through employment and benefits such as insurance coverage and pensions. When this essential unit of the system strays off, Capitalism as a way of securing the economy becomes broken and begins to hemorrhage. We all blame Wall Street for the crash, and they had a huge part in it, but it honestly was the "distribution of wealth" to foreign countries, who have far lesser expectations in terms of pay and benefits, that is the root cause of the impending fall.

So, what is the ultimate solution of this blunder, that caused the bloating of corporate America and the abandonment of social America? The "social" aspect remains as loyal "consumers" who "spread their (credit card i.e. non-existant) wealth," buying products that do not offer any economic returns. We can't mandate that these greedy corporations bring jobs and security back to their own country - it just wouldn't fly. Simultaneously, we have got to let go of systems that do not work for us any longer. Like depending on oil and coal for fuel. We have to get on the ball and start using non-polluting resources - but how do we accomplish this major shift? The only legitimate way is to use taxes and incentives. And when corporations move overseas, taking benefits with them, while greedy insurance companies make medical services out of reach, how does the "super power" nation see to the well being of their nation? Do we simply allow ourselves to become a third world country that pretends to be prosperous, and do nothing to create prosperity? What president Obama is really doing, is trying to make America what it once was, but has strayed away from. The only way to do it is to pull in the reins, and maintain a clear, big picture perspective of a nation in grave danger of collapsing.

The video link I pasted in was a lovely means of expressing the reality of Obama's direction. I do hope you get to watch it - it's not long.

Best,
Shay

Beautifully said, Jilly.

Shay

Get started on what, exactly? That is what I would like to know.

For me, it involves creating a new, updated infrastructure - the one President Obama talks about in the link I provided. I would definitely seek employment in the area of green energies.

Shay

One thing that I am very much looking forward to with Obama as President (even if I didn't vote for him), is that this should make a HUGE step in racial discrimination in this country. Or at least I hope it does.

My kids were asking me last night about Martin Luther King, Jr.s "I Have a Dream" speech and I looked it up. Here's the most poignant points to me:

...We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

...
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."�

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

...
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
...
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!�

From: American Rhetoric: Martin Luther King, Jr.

He would have to be proud today.

Green energies and a weaning of our dependence on oil. A solid, realistic, useful health care program that everyone can afford and that does not bankrupt the states. Tax programs that do not favor the rich. Green tax credits and incentives.

Oh yeah, muslim or at least muslim-oriented, who refuses to comply with the required birth certificate, who gets oodles of money from un-named off shore sources, the list goes on and on, Oh what a wonderful choice for president. God help us all.