Went to an Obama rally today ...

[hifigator]

well, not exactly, but I did go to a Michelle Obama rally today.

Ok, that's not exactly true either, but I did fill up my parking lot by selling spots to other people going to hear her speak. I figure that I was just following Obama's economic plan by redistributing the wealth from his supporters to others who aren't.

Or you could say that I was planning ahead and earning a few extra bucks that will help offset what an Obama administration will mean.

[Coast2CoastHoya]

Bus Driver: That Veronica Vaughn is one hot piece of ace, I know from experience dude. If you know what I mean.
Billy Madison: No, you don't.
Bus Driver: Well, not me personally but a guy I know. Him and her *got it on*. Wooo-eee!
Billy Madison: No, they didn't.
Bus Driver: No, No, they didn't. But you could imagine what it'd be like if they did right, eh?, eh?..., good, great, grand, wonderful. No yelling on the bus!

[HoyaNyr320]

Oct 22, 2008 15:27:46 GMT -5 hifigator said:

well, not exactly, but I did go to a Michelle Obama rally today.

Ok, that's not exactly true either, but I did fill up my parking lot by selling spots to other people going to hear her speak. I figure that I was just following Obama's economic plan by redistributing the wealth from his supporters to others who aren't.

Or you could say that I was planning ahead and earning a few extra bucks that will help offset what an Obama administration will mean.

If an Obama administration means higher taxes for you, then that means you make over $250,000. Congratulations hifi! ;D

[strummer8526]

Oct 22, 2008 16:03:04 GMT -5 HoyaNyr320 said:

Oct 22, 2008 15:27:46 GMT -5 hifigator said:

well, not exactly, but I did go to a Michelle Obama rally today.

Ok, that's not exactly true either, but I did fill up my parking lot by selling spots to other people going to hear her speak. I figure that I was just following Obama's economic plan by redistributing the wealth from his supporters to others who aren't.

Or you could say that I was planning ahead and earning a few extra bucks that will help offset what an Obama administration will mean.

If an Obama administration means higher taxes for you, then that means you make over $250,000. Congratulations hifi! ;D

That must be one hell of a successful parking lot.

[hifigator]

Since this thread was obviously created with a degree of sarcasm in mind, I'm not going to respond to the 250K comment, aside from saying that that is one of the major points: his plan isn't beneficial to anyone not at that level or above. Santa Claus can promise all kinds of things, but we all know that it is the working moms and dads that really supply the presents.

As for the rally, I've got to admit that I did get a degree of enjoyment redistributing some wealth from those that support Obama to those that don't.

[strummer8526]

I guess real Americans own parking lots.

[SFHoya99]

Is this the least thinly veiled brag post anywhere?

[mchoya]

Oct 22, 2008 15:41:26 GMT -5 Coast2CoastHoya said:

Bus Driver: That Veronica Vaughn is one hot piece of ace, I know from experience dude. If you know what I mean.
Billy Madison: No, you don't.
Bus Driver: Well, not me personally but a guy I know. Him and her *got it on*. Wooo-eee!
Billy Madison: No, they didn't.
Bus Driver: No, No, they didn't. But you could imagine what it'd be like if they did right, eh?, eh?..., good, great, grand, wonderful. No yelling on the bus!

This post wins. There is no need for further discussion about any Floridian's attendance at any sort of rally: campaign, World Series, or campaign that talks about a Florida team in the World Series.

[showcase]

Oct 22, 2008 16:31:15 GMT -5 hifigator said:

Santa Claus can promise all kinds of things, but we all know that it is the working moms and dads that really supply the presents.

WHAT!?! ARE YOU SAYING SANTA ISN'T REAL!?!

That there is a banning offense, to my tender sensibilities.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

Oct 22, 2008 16:31:15 GMT -5 hifigator said:

Since this thread was obviously created with a degree of sarcasm in mind, I'm not going to respond to the 250K comment, aside from saying that that is one of the major points: his plan isn't beneficial to anyone not at that level or above. Santa Claus can promise all kinds of things, but we all know that it is the working moms and dads that really supply the presents.

As for the rally, I've got to admit that I did get a degree of enjoyment redistributing some wealth from those that support Obama to those that don't.

Good point. Christmas involves the redistribution of wealth. It is clearly socialist. We need to take our dead-beat kids of toy-welfare and get them working the power looms where they belong.

Your logic is strong.

[Elvado]

While I'm not sure about the Christmas analogy, Obama's plan sounds an awful lot like my kids going out to trick or treat and then giving up 40% of their candy to kids who didn't.

Somw of those kids probably couldn't. Others just sat on their ass and waited to have candy handed to them without even the effort of ringing the bell.

I'm not suggesting there's a perfect answer.

[hilltopper2000]

Repeat after me (and General Powell): ALL government taxing and spending involves a redistribution of wealth. That is the nature of government and collective action. But I would argue that most government spending disproportionately benefits the wealthiest among us. By supporting the infrastructure, the political system, the military, education, our regulatory and law enforcement systems, and so much more, our taxes create an environment in which people like us can make a lot of money and lead rich and rewarding lives. The nastiness and selfishness that this recent McCain attack represents is truly shocking. The idea that folks who work hard, unrewarding jobs and pay regressive payroll taxes don't deserve tax breaks in this difficult economy is comically cruel. And the idea it is somehow "socialist" to help the less fortunate get a fair shake in life is simply sad.

[hifigator]

Oct 23, 2008 6:50:00 GMT -5 hilltopper2000 said:

Repeat after me (and General Powell): ALL government taxing and spending involves a redistribution of wealth. That is the nature of government and collective action. But I would argue that most government spending disproportionately benefits the wealthiest among us. By supporting the infrastructure, the political system, the military, education, our regulatory and law enforcement systems, and so much more, our taxes create an environment in which people like us can make a lot of money and lead rich and rewarding lives. The nastiness and selfishness that this recent McCain attack represents is truly shocking. The idea that folks who work hard, unrewarding jobs and pay regressive payroll taxes don't deserve tax breaks in this difficult economy is comically cruel. And the idea it is somehow "socialist" to help the less fortunate get a fair shake in life is simply sad.

All of your idealist fluff aside, what is sad is the large number of idiots who blindly recant that same rubbish rather than recognizing such plans as what they in fact are: glorified socialism. Oh yeah, one more thing: this just in: Socialism doesn't work. Calling it something different won't change that.

[Bando]

Oct 23, 2008 10:42:01 GMT -5 hifigator said:

Oct 23, 2008 6:50:00 GMT -5 hilltopper2000 said:

Repeat after me (and General Powell): ALL government taxing and spending involves a redistribution of wealth. That is the nature of government and collective action. But I would argue that most government spending disproportionately benefits the wealthiest among us. By supporting the infrastructure, the political system, the military, education, our regulatory and law enforcement systems, and so much more, our taxes create an environment in which people like us can make a lot of money and lead rich and rewarding lives. The nastiness and selfishness that this recent McCain attack represents is truly shocking. The idea that folks who work hard, unrewarding jobs and pay regressive payroll taxes don't deserve tax breaks in this difficult economy is comically cruel. And the idea it is somehow "socialist" to help the less fortunate get a fair shake in life is simply sad.

All of your idealist fluff aside, what is sad is the large number of idiots who blindly recant that same rubbish rather than recognizing such plans as what they in fact are: glorified socialism. Oh yeah, one more thing: this just in: Socialism doesn't work. Calling it something different won't change that.

You should tell that to the Bush administration, who by any measure are the most socialist in American history, next to Richard "wage and price freeze" Nixon. You have no real understanding of the word socialism, other that to use it as a synonym for "scary".

[DrumsGoBang]

Define socialism. Site examples and references. Then you can get to be an expert on socialism. Until then, I don't think you know what you are talking about. Every country is socialist to some degree.

[Jack]

From now on I think we should refer to the US military as "Socialized Defense", police as "Socialized Protection Rackets" and public schools as "Socialized Education."

[quickplay]

I posted something like this in a different thread, probably not the best place.

"Spreading the Wealth" does not equal socialism. Socialism is not just helping out people who can't or won't help themselves.

Bush tax cuts and supply side economics are about spreading the wealth. Who is complaining about that being socialist? Tax is spreading the wealth.


Why does it bother some people more when poor people (and of course numbers are never cited) lie about their income to get food stamps than when corporations or rich people dodge taxes or cheat billions out of the American taxpayer? (example: www.alternet.org/waroniraq/60950/)

What about McCain buying up everyone's mortages? Is that not socialism?

Does the sincerity of your outrage or truthfulness/hypocrisy of your attacks even matter?

[strummer8526]

I, for one, would like to begin referring to "Social Security" as "Old-People Welfare." The word SOCIAL is already in it! Now how many ancient, racist fogies that think Obama is a socialist are willing to send back those government checks?

[Elvado]

At least a good percentage of those folks worked and paid in for years prior to getting on the government tit. It is the lifetime sponges that bother me.

Please note that I am merely playing devil's advocate here. No real malice contained.

[hifigator]

Oct 23, 2008 11:06:08 GMT -5 Jack said:

From now on I think we should refer to the US military as "Socialized Defense", police as "Socialized Protection Rackets" and public schools as "Socialized Education."

I think you hit the nail on the head with that last one, and that's part of the problem not part of the solution. The public school system aside, my point is that Obama is for big government. Don't take my word for it, just listen to what he says. He wants governemnt involvement is virtually every area of life. In no particular order, he is going to make sure that everyone has health care. Government mandated coverage ... sounds like socialized medicine to me. Ask Canada how that seems to be working out. He wants to guarantee a college education. So essentially he wants to expand the public school system to beyond 12th grade. That certainly sounds like socialized higher level learning. He wants to eliminate poverty ... not just from America, but from the World! That certainly reeks of socialism, since in that case it doesn't even stop at our borders. Malaria and other diseases are squarely in his sights as well. Don't get me wrong, I think many such causes like that are worthy, but regardless it is still more excuses to grow government. Virtually every single thing Obama says involves government interaction.

That being said, I agree that Bush certainly hasn't been the fiscally responsible leader he was elected to be. Similarly, McCain sure seems quick to use government to "fix" an awful lot of stuff. Re: banks, mortgage loans, insurance companies etc...