Comments on: This Is The October Surprise? http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:46:37 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Buck Naked Politics http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-421438 Buck Naked Politics Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:43:51 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=9782#comment-421438 <strong>The McCain Campaign Misrepresents Obama's Position on "Redistribution of Wealth"...</strong> by Damozel | Here is what the McCain camp says he said:In a previously uncovered interview from September 6, 2001, Barack Obama expressed his regret that the Supreme Court hadn't been more 'radical' and described as a 'tragedy' the Court's refusa... The McCain Campaign Misrepresents Obama’s Position on “Redistribution of Wealth”…

by Damozel | Here is what the McCain camp says he said:In a previously uncovered interview from September 6, 2001, Barack Obama expressed his regret that the Supreme Court hadn’t been more ‘radical’ and described as a ‘tragedy’ the Court’s refusa…

]]> By: BenjaminF http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-421424 BenjaminF Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:43:39 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=9782#comment-421424 Apparently, McCain wants to eliminate the progressive income tax, despite the fact that some people are failing to make ends meet working two jobs, while others can afford private jets and 200 foot yachts. After all, some poor guy working for $7.50 an hour can just as easily afford a 20% tax as somebody who buys and sells baseball teams, right? Thanks, John - We're drowning and you want to throw us an anchor. I'd say that this, and not remembering just how many houses you own, makes it pretty clear where you stand economically-for and with the selfish, greedy fat cats who are fleecing us for a TRILLION DOLLARS! Throw the bum out! Now! Apparently, McCain wants to eliminate the progressive income tax, despite the fact that some people are failing to make ends meet working two jobs, while others can afford private jets and 200 foot yachts. After all, some poor guy working for $7.50 an hour can just as easily afford a 20% tax as somebody who buys and sells baseball teams, right? Thanks, John – We’re drowning and you want to throw us an anchor. I’d say that this, and not remembering just how many houses you own, makes it pretty clear where you stand economically-for and with the selfish, greedy fat cats who are fleecing us for a TRILLION DOLLARS! Throw the bum out! Now!

]]> By: Donklephant » Blog Archive » Shocking Development: Obama is a Liberal http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-421407 Donklephant » Blog Archive » Shocking Development: Obama is a Liberal Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:38:04 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=9782#comment-421407 [...] the wires today is a 2001 Barack Obama radio interview clip concerning wealth redistribution. As with all things political, your perspective and your [...] [...] the wires today is a 2001 Barack Obama radio interview clip concerning wealth redistribution. As with all things political, your perspective and your [...]

]]> By: More Conservative Hysteria on Economic Discussion - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-421404 More Conservative Hysteria on Economic Discussion - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:42:59 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=9782#comment-421404 [...] More discussion from Greg Sargent, Marc Ambinder,  Matthew Yglesias, Michael Scherer at Swampland, Justin Gardner, and Andrew [...] [...] More discussion from Greg Sargent, Marc Ambinder,  Matthew Yglesias, Michael Scherer at Swampland, Justin Gardner, and Andrew [...]

]]> By: Lit3Bolt http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-421397 Lit3Bolt Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:04:09 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=9782#comment-421397 I like how right wingers have taken two clips of Obama saying "redistribute" or "spread the wealth" out of context around as evidence for his socialist agenda, while ignoring the nationalization of the nation's banks and the worst economic crisis in modern history. But then, it's not about solving problems, is it? It's short term political gain, that's the only game in town. I like how right wingers have taken two clips of Obama saying “redistribute” or “spread the wealth” out of context around as evidence for his socialist agenda, while ignoring the nationalization of the nation’s banks and the worst economic crisis in modern history.

But then, it’s not about solving problems, is it? It’s short term political gain, that’s the only game in town.

]]> By: Jimmy the Dhimmi http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-421387 Jimmy the Dhimmi Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:03:59 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=9782#comment-421387 You say 2+2=4, well I say 2+2=6. See, we can do math too. You say 2+2=4, well I say 2+2=6.

See, we can do math too.

]]> By: Alan Stewart Carl http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-421384 Alan Stewart Carl Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:40:15 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=9782#comment-421384 I was actually quite pleased to hear Obama talk so cautiously about what the court should and should not do. I much prefer a politician who is willing to do things the hard but right way (through the legislative process) rather than the easier but sloppy way (through the courts). That said, it's going to hurt him that the subject was "redistribution of wealth" rather than "fairness" or "income equality" or some other less-nefarious phrase. Obama comes off sounding like he supports taking money from one group and giving it to another rather than improving the conditions of the disadvantaged so that they can earn more while monitoring the ultra-rich to make sure they're not gaming the system in order to concentrate America's wealth. We don't want too many poor people and we don't want too much wealth concentration. Redistribution is one means to alleviate those issues, but it's not the only way. Obama, like most liberals, probably relies on redistribution too much and that will cost him support -- but since his tax plan isn't radical, I don't think it will cost him a lot of support. I was actually quite pleased to hear Obama talk so cautiously about what the court should and should not do. I much prefer a politician who is willing to do things the hard but right way (through the legislative process) rather than the easier but sloppy way (through the courts).

That said, it’s going to hurt him that the subject was “redistribution of wealth” rather than “fairness” or “income equality” or some other less-nefarious phrase. Obama comes off sounding like he supports taking money from one group and giving it to another rather than improving the conditions of the disadvantaged so that they can earn more while monitoring the ultra-rich to make sure they’re not gaming the system in order to concentrate America’s wealth.

We don’t want too many poor people and we don’t want too much wealth concentration. Redistribution is one means to alleviate those issues, but it’s not the only way. Obama, like most liberals, probably relies on redistribution too much and that will cost him support — but since his tax plan isn’t radical, I don’t think it will cost him a lot of support.

]]> By: Justin Gardner http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-421379 Justin Gardner Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:11:44 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=9782#comment-421379 First off, somebody is "ignorant and idealist" to take Obama at his word? You're using a pretty broad brush there, and one that bases somebody else's ignorance on <i>your</i> opinion of Obama's veracity. Sorry, that doesn't pass the smell test. You can distrust Obama all you want, but I think it's inappropriate to call others ignorant for not sharing the same opinion. A couple points about this audio... You claim he was talking about breaking free as if it was a failure. And yet he goes on to say this... <blockquote>You know, I’m not optimistic about bringing about major redistributive change through the courts. The institution just isn’t structured that way. [snip] You start getting into all sorts of separation of powers issues, you know, in terms of the court monitoring or engaging in a process that essentially is administrative and takes a lot of time. You know, the court is just not very good at it, and politically, it’s just very hard to legitimize opinions from the court in that regard.</blockquote> Doesn't this sort of cut the legs out from under any argument that he's for the courts redistributing wealth? I'd say so. Also, on the topic of redistribution as an idea, this from LIbertarian Republican Doug Mataconis...<blockquote>Does Barack Obama believe in redistributing wealth ? Yea, I’m sure he does, but, <a href="http://belowthebeltway.com/2008/10/27/john-mccain-was-for-socialism-before-he-was-against-it/" rel="nofollow">as I’ve already pointed out, so does John McCain.</a></blockquote> Like it or not, the engine that this country runs is quasi-free market economics and progressive taxation. And so does every other first world country with any economic might. First off, somebody is “ignorant and idealist” to take Obama at his word? You’re using a pretty broad brush there, and one that bases somebody else’s ignorance on your opinion of Obama’s veracity. Sorry, that doesn’t pass the smell test. You can distrust Obama all you want, but I think it’s inappropriate to call others ignorant for not sharing the same opinion.

A couple points about this audio…

You claim he was talking about breaking free as if it was a failure. And yet he goes on to say this…

You know, I’m not optimistic about bringing about major redistributive change through the courts. The institution just isn’t structured that way. [snip] You start getting into all sorts of separation of powers issues, you know, in terms of the court monitoring or engaging in a process that essentially is administrative and takes a lot of time. You know, the court is just not very good at it, and politically, it’s just very hard to legitimize opinions from the court in that regard.

Doesn’t this sort of cut the legs out from under any argument that he’s for the courts redistributing wealth? I’d say so.

Also, on the topic of redistribution as an idea, this from LIbertarian Republican Doug Mataconis…

Does Barack Obama believe in redistributing wealth ? Yea, I’m sure he does, but, as I’ve already pointed out, so does John McCain.

Like it or not, the engine that this country runs is quasi-free market economics and progressive taxation. And so does every other first world country with any economic might.

]]> By: Below The Beltway » Blog Archive » Obama, McCain, And Wealth Redistribution http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-421376 Below The Beltway » Blog Archive » Obama, McCain, And Wealth Redistribution Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:14:30 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=9782#comment-421376 [...] this video as some sort of smoking gun are taking a huge leap of logic. Justin Gardner, I think, has it right: Obama wasn’t even advocating redistribution of wealth via the courts. In fact, just the opposite. [...] [...] this video as some sort of smoking gun are taking a huge leap of logic. Justin Gardner, I think, has it right: Obama wasn’t even advocating redistribution of wealth via the courts. In fact, just the opposite. [...]

]]> By: Split-Party Household http://donklephant.com/2008/10/27/this-is-the-october-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-421375 Split-Party Household Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:55:34 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=9782#comment-421375 Obama stated that the court was unable to "...break free from the intentions of the Founding Fathers." He said it as if it was a failure. And while he said that the court may not be the place to win this battle, community organization (to support legislation) is the answer. Yes, we currently have a progressive tax system with redistribution of wealth. But it is clear that Obama is for more redistribution of wealth. This is not a one side or the other, for it or against it issue. There are varying degrees of redistribution and Obama has time and time again proven to be on the radical end. And if you take his PROPOSED policy and put it next to his actual record for taxing and spending, do you honestly believe that no one else will see a tax increase during his presidency? That would be a bit ignorant and idealist...but then, that is his platform. Obama stated that the court was unable to “…break free from the intentions of the Founding Fathers.” He said it as if it was a failure. And while he said that the court may not be the place to win this battle, community organization (to support legislation) is the answer.

Yes, we currently have a progressive tax system with redistribution of wealth. But it is clear that Obama is for more redistribution of wealth. This is not a one side or the other, for it or against it issue. There are varying degrees of redistribution and Obama has time and time again proven to be on the radical end. And if you take his PROPOSED policy and put it next to his actual record for taxing and spending, do you honestly believe that no one else will see a tax increase during his presidency? That would be a bit ignorant and idealist…but then, that is his platform.

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