Ralph Deeds  says:
2 years ago

John Conyers is one smart dude. He figured Bush out not long after he was elected the first time and started agitating for his impeachment.

JonnyBRock  says:
2 years ago

Yeah... Because things have been going so well under uh... whatever Bush is. Fascist?

Ralph Deeds  says:
2 years ago

America isn't turning to socialism. Oil companies, big banks, Big Pharma, mining, big agriculture companies, big coal-fired electric power companies through their lobbyists in Washington are running the country. The Congressmen you named aren't close to being socialists. They all believe in the value of the market system. Socialism is dead all over the world. Cuba is the last socialist country left and it will change once Fidel is out of the picture. Hardly anybody supports socialism any more. The system has bankrupted itself by it's failures to produce effective results anywhere it's been tried.

mike.church  says:
2 years ago

Did I miss something? It seems like the author gave a couple of really strong claims-- that America was becoming socialist, and that this would destroy the country-- with no support. Where's the evidence? I don't seem to be able to find it.

blangrehr  says:
2 years ago

Mr. Church if you google the Democratic Socialist Association or just the DSA, then click about us, they will gladly tell you all about themselves. You can also google socialism in America and check out any of the sites on that page. Good research Sir.

Chef Jeff  says:
2 years ago

I guess I would start by asking the author to define his understanding of Socialism and why he believes it is some nefarious curse upon Humanity?  Why is Democracy, as now practiced (or, in my opinion, not practiced) in the U.S. so perfect and worthy of veneration? What are the compelling reasons we need to cling to our current system and resist change?  Our founding fathers (and mothers) were all good British subjects, and thus Royalists, until it became inconvenient for them to follow that path.  They changed, and we changed.  Our system of government has been changing, evolving, over time.  this is not the United states as it existed when George Washington lived, neither is it the same as when Lincoln walked the Earth.

 Don’t misunderstand me:  I like our system of government, and I believe it works very well for us as a nation.  I doubt it would work quite as well elsewhere, because our history is unique to us and the conditions which created the United States probably do not, in the same form, exist elsewhere. Quite honestly, I doubt that the election one president will fundamentally change our political landscape or our point of view.  Those changes happen over time, and if Barack Obama becomes president, there will still be many forces aligned against him, forces which will have their say and effect many changes of their own.

Chef Jeff  says:
2 years ago

I have a good friend from Wisconsin named Bill.  When he was in high school Senator “Tail gunner” Joe McCarthy visited his home town and gave a long speech.  He was waving a list of “known Communists” in the government.  He mentioned names, Senators, Congresspersons, private citizens, and others.  People clapped and cheered as he waved the pages around.  People believed him.

  After the rally Bill found the list laying on the stage and checked it out, and what he found were the torn out pages of the local phone book.

  Be wary of lists and unsubstantiated claims.  Use your brains and analyze “facts” people give you, especially when those people have a political or other agenda to advance.  Spreading fear for fear’s sake is unpatriotic. Democrats & Republicans need to remember this when they say unsubstantiated things about each other.  However, the ultimate filter of truth lies with each of us as American citizens.  The founders of our nation demanded we educate ourselves and not give in to half-truths and allegations without merit.  To do otherwise is, in my humble opinion, very unpatriotic.

The Indexer  says:
2 years ago

Democratic Socialism and Capitalism are not incompatible, as has been proved in many countries that have had socialist governments, the United Kingdom included.

The question boils down to the proportion of activity that rightly belongs to the public sphere and which to the private. This is therefore a spectrum, and there can be plentry of debate as to the point on the spectrum at which a conservative approach to government turns into a socialist one. In the UK, we are justly proud of our National Health Service, which provides medical care for all, free at the point of delivery and paid for from general taxation. This was introduced by a socialist government after World War Two, but is stoutly defended by politicians of all shades of opinion. On the other hand, it is a Labour (supposedly socialist) government that has introduced privatisation to areas of helath, education, housing and social services that not even Mrs Thatcher dreamed of doing! So the distinction between socialism and capitalism is far from clear.

I make no bones about my preference for democratic socialism above conservatism, which is why I vote Liberal Democrat, the only mainstream party in the UK that is, these days, even remotely left wing!

crystalkay  says:
2 years ago

"

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free. "

Amen, I agree with you on many points.

privateye2500  says:
2 years ago

America will be the very LAST country to go socialist - you have NOTHING to worry about there!!  Far too arrogant, far too ingrained are the false freedoms; better the government feels to let its own suffer and die in wars not theirs and a severely broken health care system....It will end up like Russia is what I think - that will happen before the american govt. would EVER thik about socialism.

http://unlisted-etcetera.com/

blangrehr  says:
2 years ago

I would like to thank all those fine people who have taken the time to read and respond to this hub; especially those folks that disagree or take exception to my opinion, which seems to be just about everyone. It is always a pleasure to debate Mr. Deeds and fun to find new and interesting patriotic Americans with enough genuine concern for our country to take part in our duty of civil discourse. I also appreciate the information and knowledge I receive from our neighbors from across the big water. While I think most of you guys are wrong I respect your opinions and cautiously anticipate the unavoidable march of time to validate the more correct ideology. I honestly have still not decided who to vote for come November, it is interesting that Mrs. Clinton has changed many of my preconceived notions about her character and personality. I also now know more about her actual position on many of the important issues facing this country; her enthusiasm is contagious. Anyway, thanks again folks and God bless you all.

Respect.

R. Martin Basso  says:
2 years ago

Thank God someone had the BALLS to write this article.  Thanks Blangrehr!

blangrehr  says:
2 years ago

Mr. Hollis Sir, how are you? I enjoy reading your hubs. Of course they are just, good entertainment. Unregulated capitalism is the very foundation of a free society. I do appreciate you reading and responding to this hub. God bless you, and America.

blangrehr  says:
2 years ago

Mr. Indexer, you know I don’t want the destruction of anything. I’m for the people and the freedoms that are divinely endowed to all men. Please give me an example of the statement you just made. Tell me when unregulated capitalism destroyed or enslave a civilization. Or for that matter destroyed a planet. A statement of opinion presented as fact. Now that’s okay, I do it all the time. But, when I do, I know I’m doing it, do you?

blangrehr  says:
2 years ago

Good afternoon Mr. Deeds, how are you doing? Of course I agree that a limited amount of over sight is beneficial if for no other reason than to help keep everybody relatively honest. I believe you already know my opinion of the left wing radical quasi-religious political movement that is global warming. The truth is unregulated capitalism has never destroyed anything. It’s never been given the chance to do so. I contend that logic dictates a reasonable chance of excessively aggressive pursuit of profits if capitalist are left to their own regulation. I am not against limited government or regulation of ethical business practices. I’m very against government taking over private business in order to protect us from ourselves or too impose theoretical political agendas where they have no right to govern.

blangrehr  says:
2 years ago

I agree, the world, the earth, is beginning a period or cycle if you will, of climate change. There is not any scientific proof that man is causing or even contributing to this process. A consensus in science is impossible. Sure, you can have a consensus on say Budweiser is better than Miller, but a consensus in science is an impossibility, it’s like saying we just don’t stinking know. Just because people who hate democracy, who hate freedom and capitalism have said mankind is evil, doesn’t make it so.

It was unregulated capitalism that destroyed rain forest? My bad, I thought people with axes and saw cut down the trees, and I do believe they’ve stopped.

blangrehr  says:
2 years ago

Of course it would be my pleasure not to comment on your elitist ramblings. You will note that as a person without hate I have the courage to approve all responses to any of my thoughts and ideas. I welcome debate and appreciate the patriotic duty of all Americans to be involved in our political process. My ego is appropriately humbled so that I don’t need to listen and hear only those that agree with me. The direction of your attack is sad; to belittle my family and most pointedly my son speaks volumes to who you are. My belief in God does not depend on your obvious lack of faith. Enjoy wallowing in yourself righteous attempt at intellectual haughtiness. Oh and by the way, feel free to post on any of my blogs; I’m not offended or frightened by your radical, elitist liberal vision for the destruction of our great country.

The Indexer  says:
2 years ago

For hundreds of years there was no consensus that the Earth went round the Sun, but it didn't make the fact any less true! No, the evidence for man-made global warming is overwhelming, and it is in our own best interests to do what we can to slow it down. We know what effect greenhouse gases have, so where is the sense in continually pouring more of them into the atmosphere? The sceptics are changing their minds all over the world, and consensus will not be long in coming.

Rainforest destruction continues apace, especially in south-east Asia, where forests are being cleared to make room for palm-oil production. It is only being done to make a small number of people rich, hence it is the forces of capitalism at work. There is no restraint being exercised on the loggers, hence it is unregulated.

I'm steering clear of the religious argument, which doesn't interest me, and sticking with science and politics! I do find it strangely curious that the bulk of "global warming deniers" seem to come from countries where people would have most to lose from drastically changing their lifestyles! I also wonder if democracy is necessarily the right approach when drastic action is needed. There are not many votes in telling people that they must give up their gas-guzzlers, etc.

blangrehr  says:
2 years ago

Indexer,

For me, global warming has nothing to do with religion. It just isn’t happening. I remember clearly in the mid seventies as an impressionable seventh and eighth grader, hearing all the mainstream media and enlighten educators screaming about the return of the ice age. It’s the same people with the same agenda now as it was then. We need to give all the power to one group; they will rule the world and save the human race. NASA issued a report today, the average temperature in April; worldwide average was lower than it’s been for any month in twelve years. Thirty years ago, the radical hate groups that hate mankind didn’t have the ear of the media so the world didn’t buy into the fear mongering. Today these same groups have the purely power hungry support of the United Nations and a willing planet wide news media salivating to propagate the villainy of the United States. Look, I agree that as a people, we can and should do much, much more to care for our universal home. We should spare no expense to find an alternative to oil as our major source of energy; because it’s the right thing and the next step in the natural progression of our civilization. You are exactly right, more and more scientist from around the globe are finding the courage in the face of sinister professional attacks to step forward and say, wait, it’s just not true. It happened just today, Mr. Gore declared the cyclone that killed thousands was the product of global warming. Immediately, scientist, even ardent supports of climate change voiced disagreement. AS if a cyclone has never plundered that part of the world before. It’s a political movement and the ultimate goal is one world government and at the very least, that government will be the one you prefer; Socialism. Probably, something much more controlling; you may very well get your wish.

Sir, I really do appreciate the opportunity for the dialogue, thank you.

blangrehr  says:
2 years ago

It was the lowest monthly average in a twelve year period, how long does it take before it goes up?

blangrehr  says:
8 months ago

Of course it matters Courtney: and it’s idiotic and superfluous it think otherwise. Humanity is not and has never been evil. There is no valid evidence that we are raping and pillaging anything. This entire pseudo- religious global warming movement could care less about the planet. It is about power and the total destruction of the human race. Of course it matters and there is a monumental difference between Socialism and Democracy…one is slavery, the other is freedom. Our masters are now making all the life choices for us. Nationalizing the financial institution, nationalizing the medical institutions, nationalizing the automobile industry, nationalizing the energy industry; is there anything left for the government to own? The Obama administration is in the process of telling us what we are allowed to listen to and read about on the net…slavery. Our government will let us only hear, and do only those things they feel are good for us.

So okay…nothing matters but the salvation of the mythical destruction of our planet…do what you feel you have to do to achieve your desire goals. At least for now you still live in a free country…not for long.

blangrehr  says:
7 months ago

Thank you Madam X. Hubpages is without a doubt one of the most liberal, hate America websites on the net. But where better to tell the truth than among the very lost. This article was written well before the tragic election of 2008. You may notice that the main argument used to counter my claim of America turning to Socialism was that the government did not in fact own or control the actual car companies or the banks and financial institution and most anything else President Obama wants as his very own. Mr. Deeds and others scoffed at the term “Socialism” in regards to control as opposed to regulation. Well…I guess all would acknowledge that our government certainly has surpassed the simple “regulation” of the banking and automobile industries in this country. Next, of course, will be the medical industry, followed by the pharmaceutical and energy industries. Regardless of our national ability to pay for any of what our elitist, arrogant government feels is best for us; we will continue to put the government in control of all facets of everyday life. Communist China will own our country…they will allow President Obama to continue implementing his freedom destroying polices; after all Socialism is in and of itself, just a stepping stone on the road to Communism.