Video: Moran and redistributionism
posted at 7:46 am on November 10, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Barack Obama’s election has given the Left a new license to talk redistributionism. Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) indulges in the celebration of government control of capital in this clip explaining how Republicans have this simplistic devotion to the silly concept of private property (via QandO):
We have been guided by a Republican administration who believes in the simplistic notion that people who have wealth are entitled to keep it and they have an antipathy towards redistributing wealth and they may be able to sustain it for a while but it doesn’t work in the long run.
Moran practically argues against himself in the leadup to this statement. He notes that American industry has become more efficient and more productive than ever, a necessary improvement in order to compete on a global stage. Moran doesn’t mention that we achieved that while keeping unemployment low. Why? Because the wealth that this efficiency created got “distributed” by the people who owned the capital into other enterprises that created jobs and more wealth, and more jobs, and so on. Otherwise, had people hid the money in savings accounts or mattresses, the higher efficiency would have resulted in higher unemployment, not lower unemployment.
Now Moran and Obama want to have government confiscate capital at higher rates in order to “share the wealth” through government bureaucracies. That will kill the engine of economic growth and stall the creation of new jobs. The only growth industry in America will be government bureaucracies and Joe Biden’s WPA II.
Before this general election, talk of redistributionism would have killed political careers. Can Democrats openly embrace this concept and maintain their offices? At the moment, yes they can. When it fails miserably, that may change — but it will be a painful lesson for American voters.
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And so dawns the age of American Socialism.
Browncoatone on November 10, 2008 at 7:51 AM
Ummmmm…Ed, I think you have a typo here….isn’t this guy’s name not Moran but MORON??????
SDarchitect on November 10, 2008 at 7:53 AM
LOONY LEFT RETRIBUTION
CHANGE
HOPE
CATCH THE FEVER!
NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Sarc!)
canopfor on November 10, 2008 at 7:55 AM
The good people of this ideiot’s home state must immediately attract a strong, conservative candidate to run against him in 2010. We can’t sit back and wait to “find ourselves” – there’s not time for that crap. Get your candidate up and running and give him/her whatever finanical support he/she needs.
Speaking of the male/female thing, conservative women seem to perform well lately, and it can’t hurt to have more Republican women in congress when 2012 rolls around.
uncalheels on November 10, 2008 at 7:58 AM
High Inflation and high interest rates coming soon.
Lock in your mortgages and buy government cheese.
mylegsareswollen on November 10, 2008 at 7:59 AM
Jobs are hard to find right now because the stock market is declining and investors have less money to spend on expanding their companies. This is bad enough when it happens by accident. The Democrats want to reduce the amount of money available to investors on purpose and they’re trying to pass that off as a good thing.
backwoods conservative on November 10, 2008 at 8:05 AM
I am already experiencing Carter deja vu and Barry’s not even POTUS yet.
kingsjester on November 10, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Simplistic notion that people with wealth are entitled to keep it???
Hello sir, let me be the first to welcome you to America.
sherry on November 10, 2008 at 8:06 AM
what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine. Sounds like my ex-wives.
New IRS yearly tax return form:
1. How much did you make last year?
2. Send it in.
kingsjester on November 10, 2008 at 8:10 AM
http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?u=13213&RID=18184925
mindhacker on November 10, 2008 at 8:14 AM
Good lord!
Thank you idiot voters for all you’ve done for us. It’s obvious that sacrifice means nothing to about half of the people in this country. Like cattle going to slaughter they have blindly and willingly given away their free market economy and their liberties for a free government handouts . . . how proud they must be.
rplat on November 10, 2008 at 8:14 AM
BE AFRAID,el wacko Liberals on Parade,
and its going to get Orwellian worse!!
———————————————————-
From Maron the Moron!!
-”In the last 7 years Highest Corporate Profit ever in
American History”!
-”But it hasn’t been shared”!
-”And thats the problem”!
-”Because we have been guided by an Republican
Administration”!
-”Who beleives in Simplistic Notion”!
-”Those who have WEALTH are entitled to KEEP IT”!
———————————————————-
It starts with one Liberal,than another,than the MSM
rolls with it,the polls come out,and then presto,
if your at the centre,and to the right,your
out of touch,
then Hopey implements da Socialist agenda,
and they have Liberal Democrats as voters,
hopefully tho,not for a 1000 years!!(partial Sarc!).
canopfor on November 10, 2008 at 8:14 AM
Cut out and keep for the next time someone accuses you of being ‘paranoid’ for calling Obama’s plans socialism.
EnglishMike on November 10, 2008 at 8:16 AM
The Left likes to complain about how our side is so narrowminded and engages in stereotypes, but seriously…. do they all think that everyone who runs a successful business and actually earns money is just Scrooge McDuck?
Those of us who contribute to soceity actually already spread the wealth around… it’s called business: my customers buy my products, I pay my workers and my suppliers, they pay other people for goods and services, and the cycle perpetuates. My money doesn’t just fall out of the sky for me to pile up in a big swimming pool with a gold-plated bulldozer.
It’s going to be a long
842 years.jr.ewing.78 on November 10, 2008 at 8:17 AM
At least we have another 2 months to live without the insanity
lodge on November 10, 2008 at 8:19 AM
I can’t even think of words to discuss this POS.
I’ll bet this commie is like obama.. Probably has relatives that need help but is way too cheap to help them.
When we were working outside the polls, two Ukranian ladies were talking with my wife. They were practically in tears thinking about obama and socialism/communism.
bullseye on November 10, 2008 at 8:19 AM
grapeknutz on November 10, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Millions of people who have never had any responsibility in their entire lives – and their fearless leader – just got everything they’ve ever wanted. And nothing good can possibly come of that.
It’s always a blast when the kids get the keys to the candy factory. ‘Till it turns into Lord of the Flies.
logis on November 10, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Hey can this Moron send me some of his money now then. I need it so I can over induldge this Christmas. My kids need more than they really should have. Why should I have to scrimp on Christmas while he doesn’t have to.
Brat4life on November 10, 2008 at 8:22 AM
There are reasons why you and I wouldn’t trash our country in public like this. First, we disagree. Second, even if we did agree, we’d be concerned — I know I would — that we would disgrace our friends, families, teachers, and neighbors.
Isn’t anyone shamed by what this guy said?
When someone wins the Nobel Prize, or a Spelling Bee, the local papers run out and interview the winner’s 8th grade teacher, or college professors, asking “how does it feel? was he always so smart?” We’re very good at recognizing the influencers when the “local boy makes good.” But we get amnesia and give a free pass when the local boy is a jerk.
I would give anything to see a news reporter go to his school, look up his teachers and college professors and ask, did Moran used to say these things around here? Didn’t anyone explain to him that he is profoundly wrong? Wasn’t it your job to do this? Do you think your alumni donors are embarrassed at their classmate’s reckless statements?
jeff_from_mpls on November 10, 2008 at 8:24 AM
The majority of people voted for this kind of political and economic climate. They can now expect to reap the bitter crops that they have sown.
Those who did not vote for the above need to immediately find ways to shield themselves, as much as is possible, from the pending results. This too shall pass, but it’s going to get rough for a while. A lot of personal money is going to disappear from the system and the redistribution of said wealth will rapidly have diminishing returns. Those that earned it fairly are not so dumb that they will sit around and wait to get plucked by the likes of Obama/Moran/et al.
Yoop on November 10, 2008 at 8:24 AM
YOU CANNOT TAX CORPORATIONS
Congresscritter Moron here deserves the royal duncecap.
You simply cannot tax a corporation. Corps are artificial entities. Any tax on a corporations or profits from a corporation GO TO INDIVIDUALS.
If you raise taxes on a corp, there are only 3 sources for that money
1. The corp can raise taxes which means the dimwits that elected that communist POS will pay more when they buy groceries, clothes, dinner etc.
2. The corp can cut expenses.. Which means employees who elected commiecongressman Moron will be getting pink slips.. HOW FREAKING APPROPRIATE..
3. The corp can cut it’s dividends and/or it’s stock price will drop.. Way to go !! chant the hopey changey followers of congressman dumberthandogdoo. Way to go.. we really socked it to that evil corp.. “Hey honey, why has our retirement account dropped so much this statement”.. “I dunno..”
BOHICA America… The average person will probably never wake up. Maybe someday we’ll have a LEch Walensa who will turn things back a bit or maybe not.
bullseye on November 10, 2008 at 8:24 AM
Wealth = the reward for the sweat of my brow. So now the fruits of my labor are to be given to others? That, sir, is called slavery.
rbj on November 10, 2008 at 8:25 AM
The Liberal Manifesto, at its best. Hopefully American ingenuity can overcome it, just like it has all other of our past enemies….
DL13 on November 10, 2008 at 8:26 AM
The clever move is to use the word “wealth.” Implies selfish rich people with lots of disposable income who refuse to help the suffering poor. One expects “To the guillotine with them!” to come next.
If he used “money” or “property” (someone should send this guy a copy of Locke’s Second Treatise on Government), people would get it. Which is why he doesn’t.
Wethal on November 10, 2008 at 8:27 AM
redistributing wealth.
“ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL
BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS.”
Some will get more of the redistribution then others.
the_nile on November 10, 2008 at 8:29 AM
Benjamin Franklin feared this guy would be right about freedom not working in the long run: “When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” I think we’ll see pretty soon.
ManUFan on November 10, 2008 at 8:30 AM
Antipathy is the liberal word du jour, no?
jgapinoy on November 10, 2008 at 8:32 AM
Yes. That is exactly how businesses work. First, (somehow) have a company bigger than all of your competitors. Then, sit behind a big desk and smoke smelly cigars while you blow all the profits on yachts to waterski behind; hire employees based solely on skin color; once hired, do nothing but abuse and harass them; and rip off all your customers at every opportunity.
Did you ever notice that every liberal’s notion of how to run a successful corporation happens to exactly match that held by every unemployable jerk in the world? Somehow, I find it a little hard to believe that’s all just an inconceivably gigantic coincidence…
logis on November 10, 2008 at 8:34 AM
These unAmerican liberal trolls are all beginning to show their true colors in a way they never could before. What a relief for them to not have to wake up lying to your constituents every day.
Yes, this is all going to send our economy even worse into the tank.
I think this is what the Democrats/Liberals want. The economy getting worse will be evidence of their argument that capitalism doesn’t work and that they need to take more from the have’s and give it to the have-nots.
Any continued problems will be blamed on what little vestiges of capitalism that are left, and all the people that voted Obama into office are going to swallow that hook line and sinker.
I used to think things getting worse would wake up our country. Now I don’t think it will matter one bit and will actually play into the liberals agenda.
I would love for someone to tell me I’m misguided on this. Please–tell me, because I’ve got very little hope at this point.
Niere on November 10, 2008 at 8:34 AM
Is that guy going for the Ted Kennedy look? When I was scrolling through the new headlines quickly, I thought it was Teddy for a moment.
jeanie on November 10, 2008 at 8:37 AM
And pray tell, exactly how much in assets does this moron Moran have in his own various bank accounts scattered hither and yon?
And is he therefore planning on sharing his own wealth as well?
Sure he is.
pilamaye on November 10, 2008 at 8:37 AM
I lived in this douchebag’s district for 20 years. I’ve given up tryin to explain why so many highly educated, sophisticated, politically aware people still vote for him. There is a large immigrant population in the district, but the vast majority of its voters are highly paid governmnt workers, lawyers, accountants, IT professionals, bankers, etc. Nothing this guy does seems to embarrass them. He has beaten his wife, ruined his credit, gotten a sweetheart refinance deal courtesy of a bank lobbyist, made commments about Jews running the United States that would make a Nazi blush – and yet they keep voting for him.
One thing people do need to understand is that the Republicans in this district are not very conservative. There are always primary fights because some right wing Heritage foundation staffer wants to run as a hardcore conservative and always loses, but sucks up all the money and cripples the eventual winner. There are lots of very smart and talented Republicans who could run and beat Moran, but conservatives will HAVE to get behind a moderate in order to beat him.
rockmom on November 10, 2008 at 8:38 AM
uncalheels, he represents Arlington, Virginia, which might as well be west hollywood politically. Planning to replace him with someone sane, although worthwhile, is very problematic.
AnotherRightWingConspirator on November 10, 2008 at 8:39 AM
Wealth is not be re-distributed…well let’s start as home.
Senators are wealthier now, then ever before. President Clinton is getting record payment for his speeches, and has gained massive wealth.
How about this, all ex-politicians are taxed 80% of all speaking engagements, since it was “on the job training” where they learned the trade.
80% tax of all gross profits on the sale of books by ex-politicians, and current politicos.
80% tax on all lobbyists who were politicians…
Let’s see him propose this, and how much support he has…no he can tax “us”…
When you rob Peter to pay Paul, Paul never complains.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Basically Moran wants a return to the 1960s/70s beliefs that we have so much wealth and are so prosperous that we can easily redistibute some of that without hurting anyone.
matthewbit07 on November 10, 2008 at 8:44 AM
I don’t think you are misguided at all. The liberals are unleashed because they think they now have the mandate to instill progressive liberal policy. They think the public now wants a socialist, secular environment. Here is what keeps me going: This election was a sham based on image, social networking, illegal donations and white guilt. Throw in media bias and you have yourself a winner. When unemployment rises and 401Ks remain down, the public will realize that this may not have been the best choice. This honeymoon period will be over soon and reality will set in. Remember 2006, Republicans took a hit because of the war. It’s just a matter of time before the public retaliates against their own decision. 2 years is enough time to come to terms with a mistake. America is stronger than we look right now.
sherry on November 10, 2008 at 8:46 AM
What do you expect from a man who blames Jews for starting the war in Iraq?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/14/AR2007091402171.html
highhopes on November 10, 2008 at 8:47 AM
ARWC – I don’t think Moran is unbeatable, especiall because he thinks he IS unbeatable. He is perhaps the most unhinged moonbat in Congress other than Dennis Kucinich, and he keeps saying stuff that make his constituents cringe. In 2002 the Washington Post actually endorsed his opponent afetr they had had enough.
It will take a serious effort from a serious candidate with with no skeletons in his/her closet, and some serious money behind it. I have a couple of people in mind.
What the “rightroots” need to do now is pick a few really terrible Democrats like Moran and start working toward defeating them in 2010 or 2012. But essential to this effort is to accept that we cannot beat people in districts like this one with hardcore conservatives. We just can’t. We have to take the Rahm Emanuel approach and start grooming some candidates who can at least speak liberalese in these districts.
rockmom on November 10, 2008 at 8:47 AM
As a Virginian I am deeply ashamed that this old fool is in office. Nothern VA. has experienced the second invasion of the South. Liberals from more northern states have moved here due to climate, both meteorlogical and economic.
A few years ago it was easy to sell a cracker box in New York or New Jersey for half a million, move to VA and get a 5000sq.ft. home.
I believe Moran is one of the wealthiest congressmen. Why don’t those guys show us the way rather that try to enslave us? I propose that, in the public interest, all elected legislators donate half of their net worth, both disclosed and undisclosed, “for the good of us all.”
(crickets chirping)
riverrat10k on November 10, 2008 at 8:51 AM
A major fallacy the re-distributors operate under is that there is a fixed amount of wealth, and if you spread it around, all will be morally peaches and cream.
That’s not the way it works. If you leave property where it has been earned, market incentives will operate to create more wealth – and, therefore, more opportunity for everyone. If you take it away from those who earned it, the earners will be dis-incentivized and the total wealth will decrease; and the “beneficiaries” will spend it foolishly (like gambling winnings), and will mis-direct the economy.
ManUFan on November 10, 2008 at 8:52 AM
Doesn’t work in the long run? Hasn’t capitalism outlasted any true socialism?
ej_pez on November 10, 2008 at 8:54 AM
“We got the highest productivity.”
“The American work has produced more per person than at anytime…”
Jim, why do you think we do that? So we can wait in lines for toilet paper?
Caper29 on November 10, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Capitalism works in the long run; democracy (one-man-one-vote) will not. A republic might, but republics have a tendency to turn into democracies.
Franklin is also said to have stated: “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!”
ManUFan on November 10, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Sorry guys — I voted against him this year but these lunatics in Arlington continue to force him on us :(
gippergal1984 on November 10, 2008 at 9:01 AM
Heh. Apparently corrupt politicians who receive corrupt campaign donations are entitled to keep the wealth:
Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) is refusing to divest himself of thousands of dollars he received from a California billionaire who has pleaded guilty in a massive stock fraud case, saying it “disgusts” him when politicians return contributions from donors facing legal problems.
Moran has accepted more than $20,000 in campaign contributions from Henry Samueli and his wife, Susan. Samueli is awaiting sentencing for having lied to Securities and Exchange Commission investigators about his role in a $2.2 billion stock fraud case involving the backdating of stock options at Broadcom Corp., his Southern California tech firm.
In 2007 — months after Broadcom acknowledged the backdating — Moran and Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) earmarked $3 million for the Samuelis’ pet project, a nonprofit institute in Moran’s district that researches alternative treatments such as herbal treatments and acupuncture.
Buy Danish on November 10, 2008 at 9:01 AM
Combine this and the now un-hidden agenda of redistribution of wealth and the platform that state has right to tell you how to live your life (i.e. smoking, transfats, light bulbs, anti-fast food restaurant legislation in south central LA… the list goes on ) and you know what this is the recipe for?
not just Fascism, but Hitlerism.
More than scary.
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Once again, the GOP and the media are allowing a little phrase to enter into the lexicon of Washington.
The phrase has been getting traction. It’s being used as a forgone conclusion, as well as the premise (this should be the first clue of how vulnerable of a statement it actually is). The phrase is, “It [free enterprise] doesn’t work”.
They just say it, and get away with it.
The Governor of Alaska, or any other freedom loving leader, should swing hard at this hanging curve ball. This is the framework that holds up the “big tent”. This is the very essence of freedom.
Completely destroy the premise. Don’t even allow for it to be a rational form of logic.
Ask, “When in history has the destruction of freedom been the way to ‘make things work’?” Go for the jugular.
Saltysam on November 10, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Will it be a painful lesson for voters? I am not so sure… as I said in another thread… I feel as though I am living in the movie “Invasion of the body snatchers” the transformation is really just beginning, but every day , I am seeing more and more glazed eyes, and hope/change mantra. With the assistance of the MSM, and limitations on alternative news sources that will come, I suspect there will be small pockets of “unaffecteds” running from the “pod people”.
Lordy.
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 9:14 AM
The rest of the world is socialist, how many votes did McCain lose by?
Speakup on November 10, 2008 at 9:18 AM
“Royal Chef, the king has a taste for goose!”
“The only one left in the kingdom is the one that lays the golden eggs.”
“The king has plenty of wealth. Slaughter that goose to please the king!”
“As you wish.”
Kafir on November 10, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Capitalism seems to have a ~200 year cycle of sorts. The trick is not to abandon ship altogether when times are bad, although it may need some changes or compromises to keep working from time to time. (see the labor laws of the late 1800s/ early 1900s)
Dark-Star on November 10, 2008 at 9:21 AM
You know what will turn these guys the other way?
Talk about real wealth redistribution.
Because all they talk about today is income distribution.
Start going after wealth – accumulated, money in the bank wealth. Not money gained from income taxes. How much wealth do you suppose John Kerry is willing to give up? The Kennedys? Warren Buffet? Bill Gates?
Yes… let’s talk wealth redistribution and see how long that conversation is on the table. Because rich isn’t $250,000 in income per year. Rich is millions in the bank(s).
That’s when they will change their tune.
beatcanvas on November 10, 2008 at 9:26 AM
At the moment, this is the key to understanding what is happening here. The possible answers are:
1. The dems think they have a mandate and all the Obama voters embrace this socialism, hence majority of voters on their side
2. Their agenda is much darker… they will have the ability to weaken our election laws to the point that future elections will be just “formalities”.
Any more ideas out there? Someone here to give me more hope?
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Haven’t you heard what they have planned for 401Ks? It is just beginning.
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 9:28 AM
The moron makes his point as if the people who work for the wealthy are slaves to a plantation..
employees enter into a contract with an employer for time and labor for a monetary value to be agreed upon.. if the employee doesn’t like, he/she is free to leave to find another job..
course, everyone here knows this already..
DaveC on November 10, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Not to mention… Capital gains taxes, the death tax… all of these are still classified as UNearned income… and quite frankly, the death tax will totally devastate my family. My brother-in-law sat at my kitchen table last year, whining about how we will be hammered if something happens to my mother-in-law, Yet, he voted for Obama… (Glazed eyes). He is the CFO for a major software company, and I told him that when the gov’t comes after us, I will hold him resposible for the entire tax bill. Again, the smartest people are really the dumbest!
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 9:34 AM
I so hope you are right. Unfortunately, we saw exactly the opposite of that here in RI with this past election. Rhode Island has the highest unemployment rate in the country, people and businesses are leaving in droves yet how did the idiots of this state vote? They voted to cut the number of Republicans in the General Assembly from a meager 18 to 10. As if all of our problems come from a handful of conservatives.
Unbelievable.
I hope the rest of the U.S. is smarter than the majority of people in RI. Alaska is looking better and better to me.
Niere on November 10, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Moran = moron…. works for me….. expect more of same…. Anybody noticed the dramatic rise in ammo sales and weapons sales. Do you wonder why after this tool’s comments?
MNDavenotPC on November 10, 2008 at 9:35 AM
I feel like I am reliving 1976. The MSM is abuzz with stories about how the country is headed in a new direction. The election of a fresh-faced outsider, uncorrupted by Washington politics, is ushering in a new era of hope. Our new leader, an educated, self-made man of integrity, will restore America’s standing in the world.
Four years later, American voters had grown weary of economic stagnation and repeated instances of America backing down when threatened by bullies from abroad. Carter, with his tearful wife Rosalyn by his side (nursing her grudge against the ungrateful American electorate), retreated in disgrace to their home in Georgia.
1980, here we come again.
AZCoyote on November 10, 2008 at 9:35 AM
401K? C’mon, my friend. You’re thinking small change here. That’s nothing.
No, step right up. I’m talkin’ Rockefeller wealth. Old money. Money that dad and granddad made. Multi-estate, several jets wealth.
Not income redistribution. Wealth redistribution. Get your head around that. Let’s call their bluff using their own words against them. Let’s go for wealth redistribution. Because a 401K is for the little people, not the Mark Cubans of the world. Let’s go after wealth, just like they say.
How long will that conversation last, do you think?
beatcanvas on November 10, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Welcome to America, Socialism!!
goldeagle11 on November 10, 2008 at 9:38 AM
You are correct… look at California… the downward spiral has continued and their answer is to elect even more radical lefties… once voters start down this slippery slope, I fear there is no return.
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 9:38 AM
USSA has arrived. They want to redistribute everybody’s wealth but theirs.
Mojave Mark on November 10, 2008 at 9:41 AM
“. . . the highest corporate profit. . .”
The lowest unemployment. Hmmm, I wonder. . . nah, can’t be. All good things come from government. /sarc
smellthecoffee on November 10, 2008 at 9:42 AM
The only problem with your suggestion is that what marxism relies on is a small Ruling class that are the ones who tell the rest of us what is best for us and the collective. There has to be a large chasm between the rulers and workers for this to work… since the rulers are already in power with relatively no opposition, they will not tax themselves… because they are better than you…
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 9:44 AM
How long do the Google Boys get excited about Barack Obama’s presidency when their wealth is put on the table? How many of Obama’s backers will come to hate the notion of “spread the wealth” if that’s truly what it is. Not spread the income, but spread the wealth.
They’ve managed to hide their wealth by only discussing income and framing this entire discussion around income per year and not wealth and assets.
So really – let’s discuss wealth. Assets. Now define “rich.” (Hint: we’re no longer talking about Joe the Plumber and small business owners.)
Call their bluff.
beatcanvas on November 10, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Moran’s networth from OpenSecrets.org:
From $1,930,170 to $23,375,995
Ranks 29th among all members
of the House
This is well above the House average. So will Moran’s wealth be redistributed? I’d be happy to take some off his hands. Not likely he’ll be waiting in the bread lines with the rest of us.
Mr_Magoo on November 10, 2008 at 9:49 AM
They have no intention of redistributing “wealth” only income. The wealthy will be the ruling class while income producers will become the slave class. The manipulation of 401K’s is just another way of confiscating the nest eggs of the working class and enslaving them. Inheritance taxes confiscate monies accrued from generarion to generation thereby keeping each successive generation at a level that can be controlled.
thomasaur on November 10, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Another question is,, will Republican’s start saying “We can seize the wealth better?”
57,000,000 Americans said no. That is our baseline.
Obama’s 63,000,000 is his marble ceiling.
I think a lot of people voted for celebrity Obama. The novelty will soon wear of.
JellyToast on November 10, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Yes, that’s it. How many people in Congress really want to spread the wealth? From Obama’s lips to your pocket, I swear to you, Moran will not be too excited about wealth distribution if it’s wealth we’re discussing.
So let’s do exactly that. It will kill the conversation among the ruling class, and illustrate them as the hypocrites they are.
beatcanvas on November 10, 2008 at 9:55 AM
where do they think they are going to get their operating funds when the producers are bled dry?
ldbgcoleman on November 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM
This is when socialism/marxism begins to fail.
thomasaur on November 10, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Yes, but you are missing the point… there is no one in power to seriously suggest it…. the truly rich will love this current line of policies because, like the USSR, Cuba, etc. the rich stay rich and are therefore the Ruling Class!!! They will love this plan… trust me. I ‘ll let you in on a secret… I know Michael Milken, not a good friend, but I know him…. he said that it wasn’t about the money past a certain point, (he already had more than enough) but it became about the power and the ability to manipulate… That is why the Google guys and the rest of he Uber-rich will be on board with this 110%…
Look at all other Marxist, fascist, communist societies..
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 10:06 AM
This is a clip from the Onion, right? No pol who cares about his future would ever utter these words..he would wrap them in qualifiers and code phrases, but never just come right out and state them. This is a political ad waiting to happen.
Alden Pyle on November 10, 2008 at 10:09 AM
We need that reminder, about every 20 years. Whether it was Johnson’s “Great Society”, or Carter’s gang rape of an economy, the American people need to be reminded that they have to fight to live well.
Hopefully they will get the message by 2010.
MadisonConservative on November 10, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Which name sounds better, The Socialist States of America, or the Swedish States of America?
Pope Linus on November 10, 2008 at 10:12 AM
These adds worked well during the most recent campaign cycle didn’t they. When the media is complicit with your cause you can say and do anything. I almost said anything other than a felony, but thought about “Cool Dollar Bill” Jefferson of Louisiana.
thomasaur on November 10, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Two points:
1. Moran said this prior to the election.
2. I live in this jerk’s district…and I didn’t vote for him.
dugan on November 10, 2008 at 10:16 AM
good luck fighting leftists on economics when no one trusts your representatives to do anything differently.
sure you talk a good game, sure your representatives campaign a good game on nonsense like gay marriage and the idea that an (r) next to your name makes you a safer choice for the nation…but no one trusts a republican to keep their word on their “principles” like low spending and small government.
no one trusts you…no matter how much you point out the faults in the other side’s thinking (of which there are MANY) the fact remains…no one trusts the GOP.
ernesto on November 10, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Atlas shrugged
Bevan on November 10, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Didn’t Obama already do that?
My suggestion will never come to pass. It’s not intended to come to pass. It’s intended to educate those out there who think that taxing small business owners is a good idea. The purpose of this exercise is to highlight where the real money is and why it will remain untouched. If the GOP needs a populist message, there ya go. Obama, by framing this in terms of income, is only protecting the uber-rich.
So let’s have some fun and take Obama at his word: let’s agree to spread the wealth. Not the income, the wealth. Let’s have a great time laying the cards on the table. YouTube videos. Blog posts. Organize a few protests. Get on the news.
Let’s tell the great truth: Obama doesn’t want to spread the wealth of the really wealthy. He wants to protect their wealth by spreading the income of the little people and calling what little they make “wealth” and labelling them as “rich.”
beatcanvas on November 10, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I’m from northern VA (but not his district)….if his anti-semitism never hurt him, certainly his socialism won’t.
I’m sure his percentage of the Jewish vote went UP after his anti-semitic rantings in the past.
For you folks not from northern VA: we are FILLED with VERY high-paid Federal gov’t workers…if you KNEW how much we pay these people for what little work they do (they brag about it all the time—-think: liberal college professors, but with even higher pay)….and the retirement bennies! woo-hoo!
Quit, collect your gov’t retirement for life, and get another job for some serious double-dipping…the new American dream.
Disgusting.
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on November 10, 2008 at 10:23 AM
We don’t trust the Dems and our reasoning is based on logic not a cult followers mentality. When it is time to clean up the mess we will if there is anything left.
thomasaur on November 10, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Moran is a fat old drunk I’ve seen many times at functions here in Obamalexandria, VA. Imagine Ted Kennedy in a cheap suit. To give you a flavor: he received a $400K loan from MNB for which he no way qualified (back when $400K was real money) as he spoke up for the bank in Congress, he was accused of violence that he never really denied in a messy divorce, and he was detained for threatening a 9 year old boy in a parking lot, to which he claimed that the boy had accosted him.
Moran is straight out of Damon Runyon or Dashiell Hammett, only he has no redeeming social value whatsoever. I cringe whenever I see him.
horatio on November 10, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Democrats and those that voted for them are in for a hard lesson. Unfortunately those of us that voted for McCain have to suffer as well.
I pesonally am implementing my own ‘John Galt’ plan by having my wife quit her job and stay home with the kids. That way I gain a tax deduction and reduce my “contribution” to our new masters and societies hangers on.
DerKrieger on November 10, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Yup. Also, we’re talking about INCOME tax rates. For the uber-rich, they have their huge assets.
Now, what if Obama was talking about taking 70% of Oprah’s ASSETS and re-distributing it?
We wouldn’t be seeing the Gates, Buffets, Morans, Hollywood pukes, sports stars, so excited.
It really is the ELITES vs. the NON-ELTIES.
It’s the European Union … it’s Brussels. The ultimate power trip.
The ONLY solution is small government.
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on November 10, 2008 at 10:30 AM
You said it. Many of the gov’t workers I know are the epitome of the Obama voter – little work for decent pay, but more importantly, they get a job for life.
Socialism isn’t new to this country, it’s just starting to bubble over now though.
dugan on November 10, 2008 at 10:31 AM
This guy’s a joke…and I doubt he’ll replaced until the state conducts serious redistricting. He’s too embedded.
See these articles about his abuse, fights as a Congressman & Mayor, et al:
Congress: America’s Criminal Class
Moran also spoke with Kennedy & Hillary Clinton on May Day in 2006 when illegal aliens were protesting with Mexican flags demanding amnesty. Very few know about this, but anyone who knows his face saw him on national news that day.
The Arlington GOP has listed Moran’s offenses for the past 20 years, since he’s been in city government:
Jim Moran Breaches Public Trust
Miss_Anthrope on November 10, 2008 at 10:36 AM
I teased my husband about this the other day, he is a Democrat and was very excited that Obama won Virginia. I said, “well, you can thank George Bush for that because he created another 100,000 government employees who all voted for Obama.”
rockmom on November 10, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Perfect! Let’s get a camera in front of her house and paint the picture. Then let’s go down to the restaurant owner and the mechanic and get a shot of their house. We need a Michael Moore-like movie for this.
“Spread the Wealth: The Movie”
Open it up with Obama’s words and end it with that as well, and then a panoramic shot of Joe the Plumber’s neighborhood. And then a panorama of Oprah’s neighborhood.
This is so worth poking fun at. It’s worthy of deep and invested ridicule because it is such a sham.
beatcanvas on November 10, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Excellent links. Thanks for the walk down memory lane with some of them.
Buy Danish on November 10, 2008 at 10:53 AM
That’s my congressman, from the second richest county in America. He’s an ass.
tommuck on November 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Ed, this moron was my congressman when I lived in Virginia. This is NOT hyperbole: this is one of the dumbest men that has ever been elected to office. I would be amazed if he tops 85 on an IQ test.
Nothing he says should surprise you. In fact, he is a source of encouragement- are you stupid? You could be a congressman too!
lionheart on November 10, 2008 at 11:11 AM
I wonder how he would react when if he left this lecture only to discover his 2007 Lexus missing.
Would he curse the person who stole it? Typically, when you car is stolen you think “how dare someone take something that I worked for and is MINE”.
Isn’t a chop shop a good illustration of the principles he is advocating?
kurtzz3 on November 10, 2008 at 11:12 AM
How much is this jacka$$ worth. Mor
aon, please fill-in the balance of your checking and savings accounts and send it care of the IRS. After all, it is your patriotic duty.generouse on November 10, 2008 at 11:17 AM
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