Al Sharpton, Socialism And Obama (Reserve Your Judgment)

by Drew Grant | 10:32 pm, March 22nd, 2010

» 9 comments

When Fox’s Geraldo Rivera tried to veer Rev. Al Sharpton into using the S-word to describe the passing of the health care bill last night, the activist didn’t shy away from using the label facetiously to make his point. If this is socialism, “then the American public overwhelmingly voted for socialism when they voted for Barack Obama,” Sharpton shot back. We know how this sounds out of context, so maybe it’s better if you just watched the clip for yourself.

So Sharpton’s argument is that Obama ran on the platform of health care reform and delivered what he promised, so if that’s socialism, then that’s what America voted for in 2008. Except, obviously it isn’t (Socialism, that is).

Al Sharpton, barack obama, Geraldo Rivera, Health Care, Socialism

http://www.anonymousfinch.com AnonymousFinch

I agree that Sharpton wasn’t saying that Obama is a socialist. That’s not a fair reading of the quote.

However, I disagree with the “obviously it isn’t” line. Liberals are trying to have it both ways the s-word. I’ve written about it before here:

http://www.anonymousfinch.com/2009/04/10/liberals-need-to-get-their-story-straight-about-the-s-word/

It is completely reasonable to characterize Obama’s agenda as socialistic.
klann

AnonymousFinch,

Are you smoking the same thing Obama and all his buddies are? Go back and listen to what Al Sharpton said. Maybe you need to learn to read between the lines.

Your mind reminds me of a quote from this movie:

Steel Magnolias

“Oh, Sammy’s so confused he don’t know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt. ”

Dude wake up or better yet get some treatment!
writer

How’s that Tawana Brawley case going, Al?
http://www.anonymousfinch.com AnonymousFinch

Klann:

To be clear, I think Obama is a socialist; that’s what my post above is about.

But to be fair to Sharpton, he was saying that if you call the health care bill socialist, then you’d have to say the American people overwhelmingly voted for socialism when they voted for Obama. Technically, and I know I’m people technical here, he was demurring on whether or not it’s socialism, and basically saying that what really counts is that Obama was giving the American people what he promised.

Words count, and many liberals make a living at twisting the words of conservatives to claim that they said things they didn’t really say. If we’re going to correct liberals when they’re wrong, we have to apply the same standards and not try to milk a liberal’s quote for more than it’s worth.
disgusted

The “vote” on hc – DID do something beneficial for the American people -
It pointed-out, just how CORRUPT our POLiticians have become!
cappi

This is amusing to me. If one wishes to determine if something is “socialism” then they should line it up beside the goals and doctrines of socialism. If it mostly matches up then it is socialism, if it doesn’t then it isn’t. The determination is an OBJECTIVE one.

If you line up Obama, Health Care, Card Check, Cap and Trade and so on, it doesn’t take an Einstein to figure out that Obama and his complete agenda meets the objective comparison test of whether or not he is a socialist and whether his agenda is socialism in practice.

Let’s not bandy words. Let’s not be coy. Obama is a socialist and I would respect him a little more if he would just come out and admit what anyone with even modest observational skill already knows.
disgusted

Some will NEVER understand! (you know: Wow! this is Tuesday?) .. But they VOTE!
felixw

Why is the Left so embarrassed by the S word? If you push for government control of industry after industry, you are just splitting hairs by disavowing the term. You can try to frame it by calling it “creeping socialism” or “partial socialism” or whatever. But the policies are the same, no matter what the name.

The difference between the parties is very clear now. One party wants individuals and business owners to have the freedom to choose, and the other one wants the decisions made in Washington D.C. Let’s see what voters say about that in November.
Tater Salad

Sorry Al, but this guy, Obama should not even be the President and here is why:

“The Hero” is a fraud, along with his wife. The Obama’s are a fraud and here is why:

Deceit by the Obama’s is just the tip of the iceberg people. How come no-one, even Fox News won’t get the answers to the facts in the following article? Why isn’t the media finding out the truth for us taxpayers? Where are all the documents? Even just “one” of the them that is listed?

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/21269