All of this socialism talk has me wondering

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Originally Posted by OP_Carl

In the past, in recognition of the fact that the electorate historically is 60% conservative, and then some moderates/centrists, leftists and socialists needed to run as moderates or even as mildly conservative in order to get elected. Any socialism was held close to the vest, and put into policy stealthily.

Nowadays, with Republicans blatantly pushing for socialist policy in the mix of "conservative" agenda, the leftists must recognize that the time is ripe to take off the mask. There is a far greater percentage of the population that is open to socialist ideas, and there is a far greater percentage of the population that is oblivious and/or ignorant, than in the past, even the recent past.

This is true. I had a conversation with my son and one of his friends this past weekend (both are 15 years old). The friend's dad works a low-paying, physical labor job. His mother never leaves the house. They rent an apartment in a poor part of town and don't have much of their own. When he indicated that his family was for Obama because he is going to help people like them, I asked him where he thought he would get the money to do that. His response was frightening. He said, "from the rich people." When I reminded him that we are a constitutional republic, and that what he was suggesting was Marxist socialism/borderline communism, he said, "who cares. We need help."

I wasn't trying to get into a brawling argument with this kid, but I wanted to say that the help they need is for his dad to get out of the bottle and try to improve his own self and his own life. His mom needs to get the mental help she needs to get out of the house and help contribute to her family instead of being a financial and emotional drain on it. There are plenty of (admittedly socialist) programs already in place to help people that want help and are willing to do a little work. But come on!!!

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

Some of us are still cognizant of the fact that back when patriotic Americans were still eager to bust communists in the chops, Saul Alinsky and William Ayers were the sorts of communists whose chops made the menu. It's clear that those whose values are wholly or in part inherited from the John Birch society or the Reagan defeat of communism can connect the dots and see that Obama is the most blatantly Marxist person to ever seek the presidency.

I'm 41 years old, so I don't have first hand knowledge and experience of the passion with which Communists were exposed and demonized. I do remember learning of the McCarthy hearings in school, though, and even back then (70's and 80's) the liberal/social agenda had already creeped into the schools because of the spin that was put on how this was carried out. I'm not saying mistakes weren't made, but the way this is taught in school is much like how we pentecostals would look at the Inquisitions.

This is a VERY sad and troubling time in the USA. I've told my family, and I honestly believe, that if BO is elected the USA of history will be no more. The foundation has already been laid.