Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating public or state ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and a society characterized by economic equality for all individuals, with an egalitarian method of compensation. Modern socialism originated in the late 19th-century intellectual and working class political movement that criticized the effects of industrialization and private ownership on society.
Looking at that definition of socialism (and I realize that Wikipedia isn't exactly the most definitive source), it's difficult for me to see how anything the Obama Administration is doing these days could reasonably be called "socialist". I understand that Republicans have serious philosophical differences with the President on how best to address the recession. When asked for alternatives, though, what we get in return is...tax cuts, bluster, and hot air. This is why you seem see "reasonable" and "Republican" used in the same sentence any more.
Perhaps the biggest reason that Republicans have been condemned to wandering in the ideological wilderness is that they simply no longer have anything relevant to offer. Pissing and moaning about Barack Obama is not a substitute for lucid, cogent policy alternatives. If Republicans are so hell-bent against all things Obama- and clearly they seem to be- then it's incumbent upon them as the minority party to present policy alternatives in an effort to win hearts and minds. How would you do things differently? And how would what you propose be an improvement over what the Obama Administration is trying to accomplish?
I'd be willing to listen to legitimate policy alternatives- not tax cuts or any of the other drivel currently being served up by GOP lackeys. I'm talking about actual, honest-to-God IDEAS designed to address the serious and ongoing problems our country currently faces.
Go ahead. I'll wait....
No rush; I'm not going anywhere....
What? You've got nothing? Why am I not surprised?
RESOLVED, that we the members of the Republican National Committee call on the Democratic Party to be truthful and honest with the American people by acknowledging that they have evolved from a party of tax and spend to a party of tax and nationalize and, therefore, should agree to rename themselves the Democrat Socialist Party.
Yeah, right...and how do you think Republicans would react to a resolution sponsored by Democrats calling on Republicans to be truthful and honest? How about they agree to rename themselves the Republican Impotent Party? What purpose does this sort of silliness and name-calling serve? Other than to prove that the membership of the RNC has NO IDEA what the definition of socialism actually is?
Instead of standing up to the idjits and telling to knock off the silliness, RNC Chairman Michael Steele caved in to the pressure, finally saying through a spokesman that "Obama and Democrats are taking us down the road to socialism". And so the alternative- at least in the minds of these mental midgets- would be to allow the recession to continue circling the drain unchecked? Is the leadership of the Republican Party REALLY willing to running the risk of doing nothing, and in so doing risking the advent of an actual, honest-to-Jeebus depression? All in the name of ideological purity? I think they've already answered that question. The "Party of NO!" is out of ideas.
Memo the the Republican National Committee: I realize you may have forgotten this, but y'all had eight years to work your magic. What of the period between 1.20.01 and 1.20.09 have you forgotten (besides everything)? What parts of the complete, total, abject failure of Republican rule escapes y'all? You had eight years. You screwed the pooch. Common decency would seem to dictate that y'all exit stage left gracefully with your tails between your legs. Why risk embarrassing yourselves further?
You failed. Miserably. It's time to recognize this, own up to reality...AND STOP MAKING ASSES OF YOURSELVES. It was funny for awhile, but now the tired, shop-worn faux righteous indignation is just old. It's time to LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET THE HELL OFF THE BUS. Your time has passed. Come back when you have some ideas- REAL IDEAS, not talking points. Until then, you're of no use to anyone.
