Everyone by now is familiar with Obama's conversation with "Joe the plumber" in which he (Obama) said it was a good thing that "Joe's" wealth (the money you and I earn) be re-distributed to others in society. It already is redistributed, of course, through taxes that fund social welfare programs, etc. But Obama is talking about something more pronounced, it would appear -- and he has been accused of tending toward socialism in that regard: the pooling of national wealth into a large pot and then parceled out on a more equal, or fair, basis -- the government being the one to decide who gets what.
This is apparently not a new thought with him. In this transcript of a 2001 radio interview he laments the fact that the Civil Rights Movement court decisions never got around to "economic justice" -- the redistribution of private citizens' wealth. He also (as a professor of Constitutional law at that time) laments the "negative" approach of the Constitution -- saying what the government was not allowed to do but failing to specify what the government should do (e.g., redistribute wealth). (As I understand it, the Founders did not overlook anything when they crafted the Constitution. They were intent on protecting citizens from the powers of government. That's why they fled oppressive government activism in Europe and created a new LIMITED government, focusing on what people were responsible for doing for themselves and limiting what government could do to interfere in peoples' "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.")
Well -- see what you think about his words in this interview. (Disclaimer: Has the interview been unfairly edited? Is it complete? Has it been edited to cast Obama in a negative light? I don't know. The website that sponsors the video is a pro-McCain/Palin site, but I don't know if that means the transcript of Obama's words is accurate or not. Judge for yourself. I share this only because, in this "courtship" stage of political campaigns we are hearing only that which is designed to consumate the marriage. What candidates have said in the past, and fail to repudiate or reaffirm in the present for fear of derailing the relationship, is important as well. That goes for both candidates, not just for Obama.)
P.S. I am not opposed to the "redistribution of wealth." I voluntarily "redistribute" a portion of my income (over and above taxes) each month for the benefit of others. But that's a decision I make, not one that is made for me by government.
This is apparently not a new thought with him. In this transcript of a 2001 radio interview he laments the fact that the Civil Rights Movement court decisions never got around to "economic justice" -- the redistribution of private citizens' wealth. He also (as a professor of Constitutional law at that time) laments the "negative" approach of the Constitution -- saying what the government was not allowed to do but failing to specify what the government should do (e.g., redistribute wealth). (As I understand it, the Founders did not overlook anything when they crafted the Constitution. They were intent on protecting citizens from the powers of government. That's why they fled oppressive government activism in Europe and created a new LIMITED government, focusing on what people were responsible for doing for themselves and limiting what government could do to interfere in peoples' "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.")
Well -- see what you think about his words in this interview. (Disclaimer: Has the interview been unfairly edited? Is it complete? Has it been edited to cast Obama in a negative light? I don't know. The website that sponsors the video is a pro-McCain/Palin site, but I don't know if that means the transcript of Obama's words is accurate or not. Judge for yourself. I share this only because, in this "courtship" stage of political campaigns we are hearing only that which is designed to consumate the marriage. What candidates have said in the past, and fail to repudiate or reaffirm in the present for fear of derailing the relationship, is important as well. That goes for both candidates, not just for Obama.)
P.S. I am not opposed to the "redistribution of wealth." I voluntarily "redistribute" a portion of my income (over and above taxes) each month for the benefit of others. But that's a decision I make, not one that is made for me by government.
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