Socialism, Spreading the Wealth, and McCain/Palin

The definition of socialism, courtesy of the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:


1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods

2 a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state

3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done


Hmm, so was McCain a Socialist when he supported the bailout plan? The US has effectively nationalized, in part, the banking system. The Federal Government now owns a portion of a number of financial institutions, or will shortly. Who knew Bush was a Socialist?

Now let's talk about spreading the wealth around. Conservatives and McCain supporters are acting as if Obama was channeling Karl Marx when he talked to Joe the Non-Licensed Plumber, who wasn't buying a business but told Obama he was. ( I believe the technical term for that is lying.) Obama used the phrase "spread the wealth around". Oh, the humanity! It proves he's a Socialist!

Except...what does ANY tax plan do but spread wealth around? Even Bush's tax plan spreads the wealth around...it just spreads it more to people who are already wealthy.

Now let's take a look at Sarah Palin's record as Governor. She increased the taxes on oil companies, and gave the money to every man, woman, and child in Alaska. Each resident in Alaska got $4200. Just for living there. How is that NOT "spreading the wealth" around?

Moreover, if you were a child, and did no labor at all, you STILL got the check. See definition #3 above. How is that NOT Socialism?

They are going for the "I don't know what Socialism is, but I sure know it's bad" vote.