Through partisan charged "hate speech" Republicans and Teabaggers have brought Socialism back into the main stream. Starting in January 2009, Republicans began labeling Obama and his policies "socialist". The Teabaggers took it to the next level with signs, t-shirts, etc... However, by over-use and miss-use, the average American no longer "fears" the word socialism.
Any rational person looking at the facts knows Obama is no socialist, and in fact leans to the right. Perhaps no program Obama supported demonstrates his position better than health care. This one program sent Teabaggers off the deep end, and kick started the "Obama is a socialist" rhetoric.
A true progressive program, universal single payer health care was never placed on the table by Obama or the Democrats. The best they were hoping for was a public option, but even this was removed with no real fight and very little protest. What was left was a watered down program that still provided some consumer protections, and this was deemed socialist by the Teabaggers.
The irony of calling Obama's health care "socialist" is that it is nothing more than a national version of the state plan signed by Republican Mitt Romney. The same can be said of the "Eco-socialist" cap and trade bill, which was originally a program supported by McCain and Palin in '08, and the "takeover" resulting from bail outs, the first at the urging of Republican president George W. Bush.
Other "anti-socialist" stands Obama takes is an increase in the Afghan war, continuing the Iraqi occupation, keeping Guantanamo opened, folding on tax increases for the wealthy, etc...
Despite this lack of socialist sympathy, Republicans, Teabaggers, and conservative media pushes the idea that "Obama is a socialist". And this is where their rhetoric is pushing back against them.
Most Americans have been helped, or will be helped, by the health care changes. They have a positive feeling toward the changes, and they are increasingly asking themselves 'is this socialism?'.
Most Americans agree with energy independence, conservation, and environmental issues. After listening to conservatives they are asking themselves 'does this make me a socialist?'.
Americans like Social Security and Medicare, they support universal health care, they want bridges, roads, parks, schools, and public safety. And because of conservatives they have to ask themselves, 'does this make me a socialist?'.
In the United States Senate Bernie Sanders representing Vermont is a self-identified Democratic-Socialist. Sixty years ago he would have faced Congressional hearings and possibly jail. Ten years ago he was a frequently ignored member of the House. Today he is considered as the leader of Senate progressives.
Lawrence O'Donnell, who hosts the show "Last Word" on MSNBC, has stated that he is a Socialist. Just a few years ago this would have resulted in his termination, now it sparks debate. Other leftist and moderate anchors and commentators are also discussing Socialism as just another form of political expression. This stands in stark contrast to the "demon socialist agenda" conservatives attempt to portray.
At a time when the economy is in the tank, unemployment is reaching depression numbers, poverty is increasing, and the middle class is disappearing, the conservatives picked the wrong time to bring Socialism into the mainstream.
There is almost no chance of a "Socialist resurgence" in 2012, however, Socialism and the Socialist platform will be a part of the debate in the years to come.
Because of Republican and Teabagger hatred of Obama, Socialists have their best chance in seventy years to make an inroad into mainstream politics.
Any rational person looking at the facts knows Obama is no socialist, and in fact leans to the right. Perhaps no program Obama supported demonstrates his position better than health care. This one program sent Teabaggers off the deep end, and kick started the "Obama is a socialist" rhetoric.
A true progressive program, universal single payer health care was never placed on the table by Obama or the Democrats. The best they were hoping for was a public option, but even this was removed with no real fight and very little protest. What was left was a watered down program that still provided some consumer protections, and this was deemed socialist by the Teabaggers.
The irony of calling Obama's health care "socialist" is that it is nothing more than a national version of the state plan signed by Republican Mitt Romney. The same can be said of the "Eco-socialist" cap and trade bill, which was originally a program supported by McCain and Palin in '08, and the "takeover" resulting from bail outs, the first at the urging of Republican president George W. Bush.
Other "anti-socialist" stands Obama takes is an increase in the Afghan war, continuing the Iraqi occupation, keeping Guantanamo opened, folding on tax increases for the wealthy, etc...
Despite this lack of socialist sympathy, Republicans, Teabaggers, and conservative media pushes the idea that "Obama is a socialist". And this is where their rhetoric is pushing back against them.
Most Americans have been helped, or will be helped, by the health care changes. They have a positive feeling toward the changes, and they are increasingly asking themselves 'is this socialism?'.
Most Americans agree with energy independence, conservation, and environmental issues. After listening to conservatives they are asking themselves 'does this make me a socialist?'.
Americans like Social Security and Medicare, they support universal health care, they want bridges, roads, parks, schools, and public safety. And because of conservatives they have to ask themselves, 'does this make me a socialist?'.
In the United States Senate Bernie Sanders representing Vermont is a self-identified Democratic-Socialist. Sixty years ago he would have faced Congressional hearings and possibly jail. Ten years ago he was a frequently ignored member of the House. Today he is considered as the leader of Senate progressives.
Lawrence O'Donnell, who hosts the show "Last Word" on MSNBC, has stated that he is a Socialist. Just a few years ago this would have resulted in his termination, now it sparks debate. Other leftist and moderate anchors and commentators are also discussing Socialism as just another form of political expression. This stands in stark contrast to the "demon socialist agenda" conservatives attempt to portray.
At a time when the economy is in the tank, unemployment is reaching depression numbers, poverty is increasing, and the middle class is disappearing, the conservatives picked the wrong time to bring Socialism into the mainstream.
There is almost no chance of a "Socialist resurgence" in 2012, however, Socialism and the Socialist platform will be a part of the debate in the years to come.
Because of Republican and Teabagger hatred of Obama, Socialists have their best chance in seventy years to make an inroad into mainstream politics.
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