...A nation of `socialists’ and `class warriors’

[ProSense]

The Morning Plum: A nation of `socialists’ and `class warriors’

By Greg Sargent

* Big win in Ohio sends clear message about mood of country:...

<...>

For context, consider this. Exactly one year ago, sweeping Republican victories across the country left many convinced that the public had delivered a clear mandate for conservative governance. One of the central targets would be the power of public unions ...But it’s now clear that this confidence produced a serious misreading of the public mood, and to an overreach that stirred a real and meaningful national backlash. While labor and Dems fell just short of victory in Wisconsin, the months-long feat of organizing there — and the public’s clear support for the public employee unions in Scott Walker’s crosshairs — can now be seen as the first stirrings of this backlash. Then came Occupy Wall Street, the Elizabeth Warren candidacy, and the renewed focus on inequality and the true nature of shared sacrifice — and, now, a stinging rebuke in Ohio to the conservative fiscal worldview.

* A nation of “socialists”: What does this tell us about the public mood? The right’s response to Warren’s simple plea for shared sacrifice has been to scream “socialism” and “class warfare.”

But today’s Post poll finds, strikingly, that Americans agree with her: Sixty-one percent say the gap between the rich and the rest of us is larger than in the past. And, crucially:

Do you think the federal government should or should not pursue policies that try to reduce the gap between wealthy and less well-off Americans? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

Should pursue 60

Should not pursue 35

more

[haele]

1. Actually, the question should go like this -

Do you think the federal government should or should not pursue policies that try to enforce fairness and pursue criminality, including RICO statutes, in corporate business dealings? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

Haele

[SupaDopeFlyGuy]

Why is this so difficult?

I would like to see a presidential candidate take a stance away from the political template that requires certain things be said to certain demographics in a certain way at a certain time add political contributations and PRESTO, you have a president.

I would love to see a candidate actually say whats real and mean what he says and than actually DO IT, tell all the special interest groups and party contribution sponsors to kick rocks and put the country first, but before THAT can even begin to happen...the people at large have to be ready for the required change and regain the sense of national pride and trust in our leaders competancy and ethics...

Everybody likes to attack and point fingers and blame someone else for the issues facing the world, but if we as American citizens simply rant to one another and not in the necessary platforms and outlets, like the voting booth, the town hall meetings, etc. than nothing will change no matter how much we whine an complain.

I always like to hear the response from people when asked: What would you do? How would YOU solve the many supposed unsolvable and key issues currently facing the nation whether immediate like Iranian nuclear ambition response or further down the road for gen x’ers like social security and health coverage?

Young people have every reason to be skeptical toward social security when we are watching our parents and grandparents struggle with donut holes and cut backs. How are we as future recipients of a social security safety net to rely on in our golden years, when we don’t even have it for recipients today?? What happened to the money our parents and grand parents contributed for themselves? What is going to happen to the money I have contributed thus far towards my social security?

Very simply, no matter what the problem is, 99.99 % is money. With that, comes transparency, accountability and oversight. Period.

The corruption, mis-management and blatant greed that has contributed to the current state of the world has to end. Any other answer is a smoke screen. Any solution will be slight of hand.

If we all focus our attention on social security and national security, other key areas will begin to erode and ultimately become the future catastrophes imposed against the same people the presidential nominees are claiming to be thinking about...the future generations.

The change has to be accountability. Accountability with government funds. Accountability with who is attempting to defy the world with nuclear ambition. Accountability across the board, but if we start with accountability on government spending and allocation of all government funds, the problems will inevitably resolve themselves, slowly…and over time, from the top down. Sure, lots of people wont live quite as comfortably as they currently do and yes, MANY high level people will put every ounce of power they have to resist the curtain being pulled up, but it genuinly HAS to happen before we end up in the history book next to the roman empire.

With our attention taken of the plethora of economic and financially motivated issues, we can shift our focus onto the more human nature oriented issues with a greater clarity and determination as a single country and not a bi-partisan conglomerate of corruption, hypocrisy, hot air and broken promises.

[cfournier]

3. " There ar no foodstamps in China

How ridiculous is this???
I am watching Michelle Bachman say that the US should be like China. and I quote "There are no food-stamps in China"

I would like to know what the educational requirements are to become president. I am in the bottom 20%, below poverty level. As I sit and watch the republican candidates I literally wince sometime when they speak.
As I watch Herman Cain' put his hand on the Bible, is it only me that laughs at this. or are there people that actually believe this

When asked what I will remember when the OWL was happening I would have to say the candidates, I am new to politics but I have been watching this comedy since John McCain walked around at the debate, and picked Palin as a running mate. What are the educational requirements????
Have them pass a basic GED test before running for office.

I fully understand the phrase, "Politics is a joke"
Is this the best group of minds the republicans have to offer to
Where is the fresh quasi liberal, quasi bi-partisan candidate who can come in and sweep the floor with just a minimum amount of knowledge to revive the republican system

[Name removed]

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