I think, my friends, that you are right.

When I started blogging here on a regular basis, last October, I posted numerous times that Obama was the socialist trying to destroy the free market. I made many accusations against the man, all the while defending my candidate of choice as honorable and pious - because I respected McCain's service to our country.

Many times Sniffles, Diva, Mainstream, and others would call me out on these statements. I was instructed to 'get all the facts' and, in an attempt not to look like a moron, I did. The past 4 months I have been trying to educated myself a little better about politics and the like.

What I have found is that, like you've stated, we have been moving towards socialism for many decades and that 'socialist minded' politicians come from both parties. After all, McCain's stance during the election was that the government needed to buy up mortgages.

So, here I am, a little more knowledgeable, a little more educated, and so far what I have concluded is this: Obama is not the vehicle by which America will turn socialist, this has been coming for some time. Nor is he the equivalent of the anti-Christ, nor is he a messiah, nor is he a muslim radical....he's just another politician, another player in the game. Check mate.

As our society evolves, we are becoming ever more interdependent.

In the old days, you could go live out in the woods by yourself. Being alone, you were subject to no real rules, and nobody was bothering you. As people got to live closer to one another, rules had to emerge. The automobile brought on rules of the road, driver licensing, red lights, etc.

We need "more government" because we need more and more to work together. On balance, I think it's good, so long as the rules are enlightened. Without rules, we'd descend into chaos. Our financial markets are collapsing because of a lack of "government."

There is no point in ranting and raving against socialism. We need to accept that we have to work together.

I appreciate your analysis. Much as I might like to be self-sufficient and depend on no one for anything, as I contemplate that I realize the impossibility of such a wish. As our population moves closer and closer together, the rugged individualism of days of yore is rapidly disappearing. Those "powdered wig" types who beat their chests praising the government of yesterday are not in touch with reality. The challenge for us, as a nation, is to figure out how the electorate can exercise control over a rapidly changing system. If we don't, we run the risk of placing that control in the hands of those with some sort of non-public agenda. Keep the faith.

Democracy is NOT a spectator sport

I've come to the conclusion that the definition of the word "socialist", as defined by my buddies on the fringe right, is simply political shorthand for "anything not suggested or supported by George W. Bush".

Wanna do away with Bush-era excesses? That's socialism, buddy!

The fringe right seems to update their pejorative du jour every 2 decades or so. In the 60s, we had "damned Commies", in the 80s, we had "damned libruls" and nowadays we have "damned socialists". The fringe right always seems to have an innate need to damn someone.

The United States will always be overwhelmingly driven by capitalism and free enterprise. There will, however, be aspects of socialist programs interweaved throughout the government. Social Security is one such "socialist" program. You could make the argument that the entire Veterans Administration is one giant socialist program as well.

It would appear that health care is morphing into a quasi-socialist two-tier system. Look at education in America: everyone has a right to go to public school, and those that can afford it can go to private schools. Substitute "doctors" for "school" above and you'll see the future of medicine in America.

We live in interesting times.

This is the point I think I was trying to make, you're just a little more eloquent than I am. The realization needs to be made that we have been living a capitalist/socialist society. I agree that we will always be driven by free enterprise....I just can't imagine the American people tolerating anything less.

This is the point I tried to make last week when I referred to Glenn Beck. There seems to be a lot of frightening talk about anarchy and revolution. I just can't imagine any problems that would result in the American people resorting to such coup style tactics. We are FREE people and therefore should NEVER have to resort to such a state. Like David's mom has said: It's by the very act of being able to vehemently disagree with others that makes this country so great.

Thank you for being a formidable debating opponent. I truly respect you.

This all started well before Obama. He just got the power to accelerate our decline to socialism at a unprecedented rate.

That's the point. barry promised "change", and all he has given and promised is more of the same at a much faster, unmanageable rate.

His purpose is to make America dependent on government in his 4-year term so that democrats can stay in power.

The United States of America
July 4, 1776 - Jan 20, 2009
Rest in Peace