Is Obama a Socialist?

[MMI]

I believe this is a wide-ranging, well-informed (myself only excluded) discussion on many and various aspects of Mr Obama's political experience, and of relevant issues raised thereby. Each diversion was because of some remark made for or against the main proposition, and when it is finished with, the argument returns to that proposition.

I hate it when we are told to "KEEP TO THE TOPIC" - capitals seems to be necessary so that we can be cowed into submission. The "topic" is whatever we happen to be talking about as a result of previous posts and the replies we are considering. So long as we are not flaming, who can object?

With such strict controls over what can or cannot be said, the threads will become sterile. Do you want me to absent myself from these boards again ... so soon???

[grinner666]

I do not know how long the OP has been alive or what she's experienced, but I can tell her from personal memory that Obama's so-called "radical left, socialist" policies and positions would have, only 30 or 35 years ago, been considered centrist-right.

The problem with the right is that every time in the past 50 years that its policies have failed, its excuse has always been, "well, we just never tried a TRULY conservative approach; let's move a little further right," instead of maybe adapting to reality and trying a more centrist approach.

The current policies and beliefs of the mainstream Rethuglican party today would have been, and in fact WERE, dismissed as the rantings of the lunatic fringe as recently as the 1960s. Please remember that the John Birch society, now welcomed on the right, was dismissed during the '60s as an extremist group.

I suggest the OP acquire a little perspective and sense of history before making outrageous claims (or asking outrageous questions that are, in point of fact, outrageous claims) in future.

[denuseri]

I believe this is a wide-ranging, well-informed (myself only excluded) discussion on many and various aspects of Mr Obama's political experience, and of relevant issues raised thereby. Each diversion was because of some remark made for or against the main proposition, and when it is finished with, the argument returns to that proposition.

I hate it when we are told to "KEEP TO THE TOPIC" - capitals seems to be necessary so that we can be cowed into submission. The "topic" is whatever we happen to be talking about as a result of previous posts and the replies we are considering. So long as we are not flaming, who can object?

With such strict controls over what can or cannot be said, the threads will become sterile. Do you want me to absent myself from these boards again ... so soon???

lol Not at all...I was just genuinely wondering what the heck half of what the past few posts had to do with the main topic. (btw I am not the moderator for these or any other forums MMI)

[MMI]

lol Not at all...I was just genuinely wondering what the heck half of what the past few posts had to do with the main topic. (btw I am not the moderator for these or any other forums MMI)

Well, I can only comment on the ones I was invloved in.

The discussion about McDonalds can be traced back to an assertion that I took issue with. Something about capitalism being based upon quality and merit while socialism encouraged dependancy. Before that, the discussion was to the effect that socialism was un-American and should not be foisted upon a capitalist society without its consent.

The argument over the Ten Commandments and my alleged desire to reclaim the 13 colonies for the British Empire can be traced back to a protest against Obama's claim that the Constitution was fundamentally flawed.

Both, I think, were relevant to the original question and hae helped it move on.

[TantricSoul]

I believe this is a wide-ranging, well-informed (myself only excluded) discussion on many and various aspects of Mr Obama's political experience, and of relevant issues raised thereby. Each diversion was because of some remark made for or against the main proposition, and when it is finished with, the argument returns to that proposition.

I hate it when we are told to "KEEP TO THE TOPIC" - capitals seems to be necessary so that we can be cowed into submission. The "topic" is whatever we happen to be talking about as a result of previous posts and the replies we are considering. So long as we are not flaming, who can object?

With such strict controls over what can or cannot be said, the threads will become sterile. Do you want me to absent myself from these boards again ... so soon???

Every once in a while as moderator I do post a "KEEP TO THE TOPIC" message, usually if a thread goes tangential before the OP has been thoroughly discussed. Once the regular contributors have chimed in I will tend to let the thread drift wherever it wants to go, (and like this one sometimes even contribute to off topic remarks) .

I honestly don't feel I weigh these boards down with heavy handed, oppressive actions, and I consciously use a light touch when here.

Frankly I spend almost all my time here playing peacemaker. Yes I volunteered for this and am not complaining, however there are times when I would rather post a koan or write in my blog or visit the chat room or The Fit Club or any number of other activities instead of once again, acting as members brain-to-fingers filter.

The answer is NO, I for one don't want you to vacate these boards again MMI, I enjoy reading your opinions even if sometimes they make extra work for me

So do me a favor people, pretty please, go have your brain-to-fingers filters checked and replaced if worn.

Respectfully,
Tantric

[blacqcobra]

Ms. Steelish I owe you an apology for certain reponses to your post. I do get carried away at times. But it is no excuse for my rude behaviour. Now, I wil say President Obama is not turning this country into a socialist state. He is trying to undo the terrible ravage this country has been put through by the past administration and it's party. I wrote another Op-ed but unfortunately I did not sign in thus I can't remember everything I said to rebute your argument. God I'm getting Old! I do remember saying this. The reasons this country is in this state today is due to the conservatives failure to uphold it's word and spend less for 12 yrs Thus the reason we are where we are... I gotta go I'm a lawyer they're calling us back in!!!! Oh, yeah I am Center of center, not right nor left one would say I'm an independent...Okay I'll accept that!