Ask the card-carrying socialists: Is Obama one of them?

[proud2BlibKansan]

(CNN) -- Billy Wharton should be happy.

"Socialized health care" is on its way. The "socialist agenda" is taking over America. And best of all, Barack Obama, a "committed socialist ideologue," is in the Oval Office.

But Wharton, co-chair of the Socialist Party USA, sees no reason to celebrate. He's seen people with bumper stickers and placards that call Obama a socialist, and he has a message for them: Obama isn't a socialist. He's not even a liberal.

"We didn't see a great victory with the election of Barack Obama," Wharton says, " and we certainly didn't see our agenda move from the streets to the White House."

Are many Americans secret socialists?

Obama's opponents have long described him as a socialist. But what do actual socialists think about Obama? Not much, says Wharton.

"He's the president whose main goal is to protect the wealth of the richest 5 percent of Americans."

He and others say the assertion that Obama is a socialist is absurd.

"It makes no rational sense. It clearly means that people don't understand what socialism is."

more . . . http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/14/Obama.socialist/index.html?hpt=C1

[TexasProgresive]

1. It really doesn't matter what "card carrying socialists" think

The people who need turning on this issue will never change- so what's the point.

[Flubadubya]

16. Oh... woe!

[inna]

2. K&R

How does one become a "card-carrying socialist", anyway?

[kestrel91316]

3. One registers to vote as a member of the socialist party in the same way

one registers as a Dem or repuke.

[provis99]

4. not where I live.

You can register either as Democrat, Republican, or Independent. No third party registrations are allowed.

[kestrel91316]

6. Well, then contact the local branch of the Socialist Worker's Party, or

alternatively the Democratic Socialists (socialism lite) and join as an official member.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Here ya go

[SocialistLez]

8. I have a card from Democratic Socialists of America

Of course it doesn't matter TOO much since they don't have a chapter in Arkansas.

I pretty much split my political donations between the Green Party and the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America).

[JanMichael]

7. Well I used to have a SPUSA card so I guess my vote counts.

Is Obama a "Socialist?

NO. Not in the most trivial way is he a socialist. Corporatist? Sure.

[socialist_n_TN]

9. Ain't no way...................

Obama is a socialist, much less a Socialist.

[Canuckistanian]

10. Even Ron Paul called him a corporatist

So, no. Obama isn't even CLOSE to being a socialist, even among us who DO call ourselves "socialists".

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Agreed

[proudohioan]

12. I just registered for the Socialist Party......

when I got my Cuyahoga County request for a mail-in ballot. For the first time, Ohio offered several 3rd party choices (I guess there was enough interest), Socialist Party being one of them. When I received my ballot, it stated boldly and clearly "Socialist Party of Ohio Official Ballot". So I guess I'm a card carrying Socialist......

Is Obama a socialist? Afraid not. Sadly, I have to agree with Ron Paul on that one.

IMO, socialism doesn't sound so bad.

t.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. I feel closer to the socialists than to blue dog Democrats

[proudohioan]

18. Yes, I do too.

Not that I object to either of the Dem Candidates running for Senate in Ohio, but honestly, it's time to make a statement that we need some real change in this country...... and since Ohio has now given me a chance to do so, I will.

If Vermont can elect a "socialist" for senator, than I don't see why Ohio can't do the same. I also strongly agree with the socialist candidates values (much as I hate to use the word "values") and ideas.



:)

[Echo In Light]

13. k/r ! Spot on

[KharmaTrain]

14. It's All In The Framing...

For 30 plus years, the GOOP spin machine has attempted to redefine political definitions, badgering and pushing the corporate media further and further to the right. Their claim that the nation is "center-right" is a product of their pushing the media in that direction. They did so by redefining words to suit their needs...ones that are common place on hate radio and Faux Noise. They describe themselves as "fiscally responsible", "patriots", "Amuricans" and the like while anyone who doesn't fit their mold is given a perjorative...usually the "dreaded "L" word". By constant repetition of their big lies, the definitions of things such as "socialist" or even "moderate" were changed to sound outright radical and not reflective of their real standings in our and other societies.

No, President Obama is neither a "socialist" nor would many of us think that he's either liberal or progressive. Some may say "center-left" while I think the vast majority here would say he's a moderate (and I know others who would even dispute that)...but in the modern day corporate media world where up is down, definitions have been co-opted and the more unhinged the rushpublicans become the more distorted and contorted those definitions are.

[proudohioan]

19. You got that one right! nt

[Blue_Tires]

17. Good to revisit the topic, but CNN is a year late:

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/may2009/db20090522_329825.htm

[Kablooie]

20. Obama is president, he doesn't carry cards. He doesn't even carry cash.