Here is my Political View

[mgeoffriau]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

Regarding (C), according to whom?

Pretty much everyone has him as the furthest left in 2007, and most have him as the furthest left since he took office. Here's on example that includes a good explanation:

NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama: Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008)

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by mgeoffriau

Pretty much everyone has him as the furthest left in 2007, and most have him as the furthest left since he took office. Here's on example that includes a good explanation:

NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama: Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/200

Actually, National Journal is the ONLY publication or source that ranks Obama this way. All of the other sources just cite this one article.

[Etta Place]

Also, is a progressive tax system socialistic to you?

[mgeoffriau]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

Actually, National Journal is the ONLY publication or source that ranks Obama this way. All of the other sources just cite this one article.

Do you prefer the NOMINATE rankings? Even they have Obama tied for the 10th most liberal in the Senate.

[JeffXD]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

What makes Obama a socialist, specifically? Are you referring to his healthcare plan? I'm trying to keep an open mind about it, as I will not have a pension when I retire and will have to purchase additional health care if I do not want to solely rely on Medicare.

In Barack Obama’s “Keeping America’s Promise” you can read the details about what Barack wants to do as President. Here are some highlights that stood out to me:
1. Give an immediate $250 to ‘workers and their families’.
2. Give an immediate $250 to seniors for whatever reason.
3. Give another $250 to ‘workers and seniors’ if the economy worsens.
4. Give money to (aka Provide relief for) homeowners hit by the housing crisis.
5. Create a $10 billion foreclosure fund for irresponsible homeowners.
6. Create an mortgage interest credit (negative tax) only for ‘low-income’ workers.
7. Ensure freedom to unionize (form unions)
8. Provide UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE COVERAGE by providing the ‘average’ family a $2500 reduction in premiums.
9. Make college ‘affordable’ by providing $4000 tax credit (read ‘tax redistribution’)
10. Tackle ‘concentrated poverty’ in America.
11. Increase the supply of affordable housing (read Government housing)

Obama’s Dream of a USSA (United Socialist States of America) David Jordan’s Mind

The above ideas make Obama a socialist.

Especially since there is nothing above that is the responsibility of the federal government. The responsibility of the federal government lies in protecting the citizens of the United States. Securing the borders and protecting the people from enemy threats. Thats pretty much it. One might be able to argue that there is a federal responsibility to build and maintain infrastructure. It is NOT the job of the federal government to pass out money for college, pass out money because people poor financial decisions when buying a house or pay for people to go to the doctor.

Period. End of story. No more nanny state, people need to provide and tend to thier own affairs and not rely on the government.

[mgeoffriau]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

Also, is a progressive tax system socialistic to you?

Yes, I do consider redistribution of wealth to be socialistic.

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by mgeoffriau

Do you prefer the NOMINATE rankings? Even they have Obama tied for the 10th most liberal in the Senate.

I am not familiar with the NOMINATE rankings.

I will concede that Obama is a liberal. I just think it's hyperbole to call him a socialist.

There is only one member of the Senate who I think identifies himself as a socialist and that is Bernie Sanders.

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by mgeoffriau

Yes, I do consider redistribution of wealth to be socialistic.

What tax system would you favor?

[mgeoffriau]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

I am not familiar with the NOMINATE rankings.

My mistake, I thought I had included the link:

110th Senate Rank Ordering

Originally Posted by Etta Place

I will concede that Obama is a liberal. I just think it's hyperbole to call him a socialist.

I would argue that given the social stigma that accompanies the term "socialism", even those who would otherwise promote socialist ideology don't often openly describe themselves as such.

[one-eyed-fatman]

I'm just going to wait for the election to happen then come here and watch all the agony of defeat threads. Until then I'm a gonna...

I've been saying for a while now that GW was handing the demos the next election on a silver platter, lets hope I'm wrong. But then four more years of GW all over again isn't anything to brag about either. Either way were all snoozen till were losen.