Something that might be of interest to people in this thead

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=156482

A fair reply, Keith.

In fact, I do see all those things as good, and I think that calling any of them "socialism" - even soft socialism as you call it is stretching the term, but I understand where you're coming from.

That's a well-researched and reasonable answer.  And it shows a rational way to approach this - you don't think these particular policies are the best direction, while others do, and thus, your support will go to the other candidate, whose policies support your beliefs better.

Second time I'm saying this, but ... we need more Kieth Elder in this thread!

"Second time I'm saying this, but ... we need more Kieth Elder in this thread!"

For his avatar if nothing else.  : )

Well... I do, Al.

The logic is - and feel free to correct me, gang - the logic is that in capitalism, you have freedom - you are free to go out and create goods or services that people need desire or want, and there is a transaction for said goods and/or services. 

And I agree - there is a great freedom in that.  You can do whatever you want!  Nothing is holding you back and you can work hard and possibly achieve your unlimited goals.

Now, having said that, if allowed to run unchecked, people become abused in this system.  If you're chasing the bottom line, corners are cut and workers are abused.  Unions were an early help in this, but in my opinion, the introduction of a socialist safety net in the system was the fix it needed.

I understand that many disagree and respect that. 

I believe that, in America, provided that neither side ever gets too much power, we have a good balance of the systems - we still have the freedom to go out and build the better mousetrap, but we also have the safety of knowing that we will be protected in the workplace, that if anything happens we have a built-in insurance to assure that we land on our feet and are able to get back up and dive back into the workforce.

I also hear that this system doesn't work because some people abuse it.  This I do not believe, and more, I find that it's mostly anticdotal evidence, and have seen no hard facts that show that the people abusing the system (too lazy to work, welfare fruad, etc) mean that it's faulty.

That's like saying because of companies like Enron, capitalism doesn't work.

The bottom line for me?  You need both.  You need the freedom of capitalism, and you need the safety of socialism.

But I understand why people disagree.

True, Jeff!

Keith stopped after one third of the page because the bottom 2/3 detail Obama's plan to turn us all into mindless puppets under the sway of Darth Wright.

I'm converting to Islam today.  Gotta get in good with the new boss(es).

As Salaam Walaikum, Brother Kevin!

And Mike...it's not just the freedom, but also there's the incentive to go out and do these things. Hey, there's a reason so many great inventions have come from within our capitalist system!  (And you're right, it can't run unchecked! Everything's gotta have it's rules)

Do Obama's ideas = socialism? Personally, I don't think so. There may be tendencies that some would say lean towards socialism (or big-brother/big government-ism), but I don't think the man's a socialist.