Saturday, June 7, 2008

On Marxism and Money Laundering

Tom Delay has accused Barack Obama of being a Marxist. First, of course, consider the source. Delay is currently under indictment on money laundering charges. Second, consider what Marxism is -- an ideology based on discredited 19th century economic theories used by some of history's worst totalitarian regimes to commit mass slaughter, contrived starvation, and other atrocities. Finally, look at Barack Obama's economic proposals. Tax cuts, a plan to help small businesses, an embrace of the energy and effectiveness of the free market, mixed with common-sense reforms to health care and some traditional democratic positions on NAFTA and labor. Calling the candidate who embraces these positions a Marxist would be akin to calling John Kerry a coward. Who would ever stoop to such a level?

2 comments:

Howard Beale Jr said...

And also recall he called Israel an "open sore", or did he? Wait a second here...

oppo said...

Exactly. Anyone who takes the time to express a nuanced position, or even a rather simple -- and frankly uncontroversial -- one such as "the Arab-Israeli dispute is a 'constant sore' that infects our foreign policy" as reported by The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg (see http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/) is subject to simplistic attacks based upon the quotes being taken out of context. The media reports uncritically on the attacks and the meme becomes part of the public debate. The media should not repeat such nonsense without calling it what it is -- garbage. When the media reports on McCain accusing Obama of referring to *Israel,* as opposed to the *conflict,* as an open sore, the media should call the claim false.