Calling Obama a socialist
The stimulus plan has made socialism the latest political ‘bugaboo’
“Socialism has become our new scare word,” said Robert Brent Toplin in the Chicago Sun-Times. The latest evil “ism” has yet to become the “major bugaboo” that communism was in the Cold War, or that terrorism became after 9/11, but the expansion of government’s reach in the economic stimulus plan has injected new energy into Republican claims that President Obama is putting America on the path to socialism.
At the very least, said George Will in Newsweek, the stimulus plan, “aka No Social Worker Left Behind,” is a stealthy attempt to repeal welfare reform. Obama told Congress that he is strengthening government "not because I believe in bigger government." But he does, and that's what he's going to deliver.
Conservatives might be seeking fresh spiritual leadership, said Mark Leibovitch in The New York Times, but they're reviving an old "rhetorical ogre." Many liberal politicians before Obama have been attacked by the "socialist bogey-mantra." Conservatives have used it for ages, just as "liberals have bludgeoned conservatives as 'fascists,' 'fundamentalists,' 'plutocrats,' and whatnot for decades."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
The pros and cons of globalization
Pros and Cons Globalization can promote economic prosperity but also be exploitative
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - October 11, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - October 11, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - October 11, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - October 11, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published