I wonder what he calls Henry Paulson? none of these guys are any variety of socialist and more's the pity. . .everyone is touting the Swedish model and ignoring the true ground of Sweden's governmental/economic partnership.

When we have leaders that put the people before rigid ideology, then maybe we can take a deep breath. Note, this is kind of a silly article, but has some useful info.

www.latimes.com/news/natio...41003.story

By Bob Drogin and Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
1:36 PM PDT, October 18, 2008

Concord, N.C. -- With the presidential campaign entering its final stretch, Republican nominee John McCain today accused Democratic rival Barack Obama of seeking to impose socialist-style economic policies on America. Halfway across the country, Obama drew what appeared to be the largest American crowd of the campaign, an estimated 100,000 people who covered hundreds of yards at a park in downtown St. Louis.

Here in the heart of conservative NASCAR country -- a longtime stronghold for the GOP -- and later in Woodbridge, Va., McCain drew far smaller crowds of several thousand. He used both events to hammer Obama's tax plans as an attempt to "redistribute the wealth" and "just another government give away."


In a national radio address earlier this morning, McCain declared that Obama's policies "sounded a lot like socialism" and amounted to a "phony tax cut."

"At least in Europe, the socialist leaders who so admire my opponent are upfront about their objectives," he said.

McCain's language was striking because Republicans have portrayed Democrats for decades as liberals who favor 1960s-style big government solutions to national challenges, such as poverty and health care.

Socialist theory is more radical, and arguably more sinister to American ears. It calls for collective ownership of most private enterprise and the creation of an egalitarian society. Karl Marx argued that socialism was a transitional phase between capitalism and communism.

Ironically, the Bush administration's emergency $700-billion bailout of major banks and other troubled financial institutions involves the kind of government ownership of private institutions that Socialists favor. Both McCain and Obama voted for the rescue package, which aims to shore up the credit markets and stabilize the economy.

Obama fired back at McCain while in Missouri, another battleground state that is leaning toward the Democrats. As he has in the past, he accused McCain of distorting his tax proposals.

"Under my plan, if you make less than $250,000 a year, which includes 98% of small business owners, you won't see your taxes increase one single dime," Obama said. "Not your payroll taxes, not your income taxes, not your capital gains taxes, nothing."

McCain wants to cut taxes for "folks making out like bandits, some literally," Obama said to a roar from the massive crowd at the foot of the Gateway Arch. "I want to cut taxes, cut the taxes of 95% of all workers."

Obama did not directly answer McCain's use of the term "socialism," but focused on a portion of the Republican's radio address in which he suggested Obama would "convert the IRS into a giant welfare agency, redistributing massive amounts of wealth at the direction of politicians in Washington."

"He must be the first politician in history to call a tax cut for working people 'welfare,' " the Illinois senator said. The only welfare proposal, Obama added, was McCain's plan "to give another $200 billion in tax cuts to the wealthiest companies in America."

The Democrat was referring to McCain's plan to make permanent the tax cuts enacted under President Bush. Obama would allow those cuts to expire, as Congress intended when it passed them. McCain argues that letting the cuts expire amounts to a tax hike.

McCain's rally in the Cabarrus Arena and Event Center, 20 miles from Charlotte, reflected mounting Republican worries in North Carolina. Obama has launched a full-on assault in the state, hoping that a huge turnout of newly registered voters and other supporters will swamp the state's conservative traditions.

Significantly, McCain did not mention Sen. Elizabeth Dole or any other statewide GOP candidate seeking office this year. Dole, caught in a reelection fight, did not attend the event.

Instead, McCain focused chiefly on Obama's exchange last weekend with Samuel J. Wurzelbacher -- now better known as Joe the Plumber -- a blue-collar voter in Holland, Ohio, who had told the Democrat that he hopes to buy his boss' business. "Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn't it?" Wurzelbacher asked.

Obama responded that the marginal tax rate would increase from 36% to 39% for businesses that earn more than $250,000, restoring rates used prior to the Bush administration.

"Right now, everybody's so pinched that business is bad for everybody, and I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody," Obama added.

McCain cited that "spread the wealth" exchange with Wurzelbacher during Wednesday's presidential debate and every day since to paint Obama as hostile to small business and working families.

Republican campaign aides hope the growing focus on Wurzelbacher will invigorate McCain's underdog effort, much as his surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate provided a crucial jolt of support in early September.

McCain's campaign distributed hand-painted signs at the rally today, and supporters seated in the bleachers, in view of TV cameras, waved "Fight for Joe the Plumber," "I'm Joe the Plumber" and "Don't Take Joe the Plumber's $$$."