Get this. Barry Obama, following up on his “spread the wealth” and “redistributive change” remarks has now labeled opposing giving more of your hard-earned money to the government as a form of “selfishness.”
“John McCain and Sarah Palin they call this socialistic,” Obama continued. “You know I don’t know when, when they decided they wanted to make a virtue out of selfishness.”
I’m fed up with this guy’s ignorant remarks. First, I know how to spend the money that I earn better than the government does. Second, I would contend that the charitable giving that I decide to engage in is more cost-effective than anything that the government could do with it. Third, there is this aspect from the ABC News article:
It’s unclear if this was a nod to the Ayn Rand book “The Virtue of Selfishness,” with all that the invocation of Rand implies.
It would seem to be, given the themes of Rand’s work, what happens when independent achievers are demonized.
Which would fit with this description of those who want to keep their hard-earned tax dollars as “selfish.”
Atlas may not be shrugging, but Obama is.
Obviously the reporter is passingly familiar with Rand, but not enough to get the final sentence contextually correct. In fact, Obama is behaving just as the government in “Atlas Shrugged” did which led the achievers of the world to stop producing (they “shrugged” off the weight of the world) and all leeches were left to their own devices. As you can imagine, pretty soon civilization fell apart.
But I wouldn’t expect that Obama has ever actually read any Ayn Rand. If he had, he wouldn’t hold the views that he does. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he had read Bill Ayer’s book “Prairie Fire” that Ayers dedicated to Sirhan Sirhan, Bobby Kennedy’s assassin.
Filed under: 2008 Elections, Marxists, National Politics, Philosophy, Socialists, Teleprompter Barry
Even better, he has changed the line now to say “They call this socialistic, I call it an opportunity.” No BS, he just said this on CNN in Henderson NV.
Virginia: I am an Illinoisan and I have an important message for you. That is that you must vote for McCain / Palin to secure our country’s future.
Barack Obama is going to increase spending by $3 trillion and that means higher taxes for you.
A vote for Bob Barr is unacceptable, too. A vote for Bob Barr is like a vote for Barack Obama. All conservative’s must vote McCain / Palin.
Virginia is one of the most important states in this election and I encourage you strongly to get out the vote. Your vote has a huge impact on this election, and we all know that if you don’t vote then you are basically voting Obama / Biden.
So I encourage you to do your duty and get out the vote for McCAIN/ PALIN 2008!
Why would you think that Obama has read the book about Robert Kennedy’s assassin? What does it matter? It’s part of a tragic event in the history of our country.
Just a thought thrown out to further build on the fear factor surrounding Obama, it seems. Or do you believe Obama was a co-conspirator with Sirhan Sirhan?
Awwww, Riley’s fed up. I guess you’ve finally made peace with your impending defeat. Moreover, you’ve taken sown that Conservative Fembot quote I was so looking forward to lampooning on Wednesday.
You might want to take this election as a lesson: don’t suck. Until your figures that simple requirement out, you’re going to continue to get the snot beat out of you in these elections.
Mo, I said Obama is more likely to have read the book by Ayers (which is not about RFK’s assassin, but was dedicated to him) than any of Rand’s works.
GFFAC, I’m always fed up with ignorance and Obama personifies it almost as much as you do.
Oh, and the latest Zogby poll has McCain up 48-47 despite him being outspent in the general election by around 4 to 1.
Ghost of George Felix Allen’s Career, I must say, after reading many of your comments, I am thoroughly certain that you are nothing more than a troll. I mean, why address any of the topics in the post when you can just insult? I will also note that I remember the kind of arrogance you have being thrown around in 2000 and 2004 also; if 2008 goes the same way, I suggest this be a lesson to you.
To get back on topic, I’m no libertarian like Rand was, but “Atlas Shrugged” is absolutely right about the leech society. Why produce when you see little personal benefit from it? You can just leave someone else to produce, which of course becomes a problem when so many people take that attitude. And with the constant, downward shift from Obama and the Democrats about where the upper bounds of the middle class are, the approach to that socialist nightmare (if not the deep dive in) may be confirmed in a few days.
[...] Civilization (see here) and Virginia Virtucon (see here) question the notion that opposing higher taxes is [...]
The kind of selfishness that Ayn Rand advocated (and which Obama apparently opposes) is a completely noble and moral American virtue. This country was founded on the principle that men and women had the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” free from government interference and tyranny.
Many immigrants (such as my parents) came to this country precisely to be able to work hard, prosper, and give their children a chance for a better life. They came to this country with little more than the clothes on their back, but did well over the years, sent two children to college and medical school, and are now enjoying a well-earned and comfortable retirement. Their lives have been a real-life embodiment of the American dream.
If we want America to remain a beacon of hope to millions around the world, we should re-affirm our commitment to free markets and capitalism, and reject calls for more socialism and “redistribution of wealth”.
This country is great precisely because it allows people like my parents to attain selfish goals such as their lives and happiness. Americans should be proud of that fact, not condemn it.
The problem is not that Obama called wanting to keep your own money selfish, the problem is that he denigrated such selfishness as a bad thing.
Of COURSE Obama is familiar with Ayn Rand. After all, Obama’s campaign has received contributions from John Galt! /sarcasm
Speaking of selfishness, what do we call it when Obama sends his kids to posh private schools while the riff-raff are confined to underperforming Chicago urban schools? Quick! Someone write something for Obama’s teleprompter!
Rand’s uses a concept of rational selfishness that respects the rights of others (as opposed to the notion of some “selfish” thief).
Still, it is not just Obama who criticizes such selfishness; virtually every religion does the same. Even McCain says “Country First”.
The way I see it, everyone in the mainstream, whether GOP or Democrat, think that people must live for others. The differences between the main parties tend to be about: in what areas must people give of themselves, and to what degree.
The country needs to put aside the creed of altruism if it is to succeed.
Since when is feeling like you deserve the things that you have worked hard to earn selfishness? Let’s look at this whole “spreading the wealth is good for everyone” thing. The “rich” are already paying 70% of the income tax collected in this country, but the “less fortunate” are getting the majority of government benefits – which come out of the income tax that is collected. Some people who collect benefits don’t even pay income tax at all. This is a charitable nation. Most Americans give to those less fortunate. But we choose how much we give and to which charity. We give by choice. I contribute to several charities every year – and I only make just enough money for Obama to vote to raise my taxes twice – once in March and again in June. By the way, I am a 4th year teacher, so guess how little I make. Oh, but he’s had a change of heart and now he only wants to raise the taxes on the wealthy. Right. Then just how is he going to pay for all that spending he is going to do? By raising everyone’s taxes – just like Bill Clinton did, after promising (and getting elected on that promise) not to. Wake up. If he thought just a few months ago it was okay to raise taxes on middle-class America, what makes anyone with a brain think he won’t think it’s okay if he’s elected? Overall, Obama has voted 94 times to raise taxes and prevent tax cuts. Obama won his senate seat on the promise to lower taxes and then never even bothered to introduce one piece of legislation to that effect after he was elected. He’s made plenty of speeches, written several memoirs, and planned a million dollar – or is it 2 million – party for himself, though.
Let’s talk about how concerned Obama and Biden really are for those less fortunate…Biden contributed 0.3% of his salary to those less fortunate last year – and that was the largest contribution he has made in the last 10 years. I guess that was “fair” enough for him. Palin contributed twice as much in the last two years than Biden did in the last 10 years despite earning considerably less money. Obama was more generous than Biden, contributing a little over 5% of his income last year. Meanwhile, McCain, who Obama had the nerve to suggest was making selfishness a virtue, contributed 25% of his income. Yes, 25% – not 2.5% – a whole quarter of his income. Sooo, who is the one making it okay to be selfish?? It seems the democrats only want to spread everyone else’s money around.
And for all those people out there who still think that Obama’s tax plan won’t hurt them because they don’t make over $200, 000 a year (or whatever the going “surprise – you’re rich” rate is), well, I guess you’re right – as long as you don’t have to buy anything. You know, like gasoline, food, clothing…that kind of thing. And heaven help you if you rent because your next lease is going to be through the roof. Don’t you realize that all those “wealthy” people and companies Obama is planning to raise taxes on are the ones who employ most of us and who produce most of the goods and services we buy? Do you really think Exxon-Mobile is going to say, “Oh, well, there goes our profit margin. I guess we’ll just have to absorb the cost of this tax hike – I mean, what else can we do? We can’t raise the price of gas – we NEVER do that.” Come on. The corporations who are going to be taxed are just going to transfer the cost of those taxes onto the consumers – that would be you and me. And that goes for cell phone service, internet service, and pharmaceuticals, too. Oh, yeah – if you buy over the counter or prescription medication, plan on the price going up if Obama is elected. He can promise you whatever he wants to with his health care plan, but he cannot control the pharmaceutical companies – they are private entities and they can charge as much as they want to for their products. And they are big business, so they are going to be hit with higher taxes, the cost of which will be transferred to the people who purchase their products. So, yes, Obama will raise the taxes on the wealthy and big business – and small business. Which WILL effect you – very detrimentally. You can kiss any pay raise you were counting on goodbye. Some people will have to take pay cuts to keep their jobs, and others will be laid off. There certainly won’t be any new jobs created. Oh, but if he keeps his promise, you’ll get some money back at the end of the year. And it will barely put a dent in how much extra you spent on everything because of his tax plan. But then there’s all that spending he’s going to do. So, in actuality, he’s going to HAVE to raise taxes on middle America, too – on top of causing the cost of living to increase dramatically due to the tax hikes on businesses. And you still think his tax plan won’t affect you because you don’t make $200,000 a year? Either you haven’t really thought that through, or you are as naïve as Obama who thinks this economic plan of his will work – or is even financially possible. This is all just rhetoric to try to win votes.
You can trust John McCain and Sarah Palin because they are the real deal; reformers with a record who stand by their words and will always put their country first.
Time and time again this team of mavericks has stood up, taken on tough issues and delivered. They’re the real deal. They have a clear record that can deliver results, not just rhetoric that delivers votes.
HAHAHA…Riley took the one day of numbers from Zogby’s three-day tracker is meaningful. HAHAHAHAHAHA.
You do know what the numbers were on the next day, right? Obama up ten, for a composite of Obama +5.7–and that’s with the 2004 turnout model, which is far more favorable to the GOP. That’s why you wait for all three days of the tracking poll.
i am fed up with guy also. he is an evil socialist, is anti freedom, anti our constitution, anti everthing this country stands, anti our history. i pray to God most of us americans do not agree with his evil socialism and vote against him and for John McCain