Bill Maher Confused How Obama is Socialist When All He Does is Nationalize GM

[riprandy318]

We need a MASSIVE AWAKENING!!!!! Tell everybody you know and Break the mainstream medias control over the people and STOP THIS HOSTILE TAKE OVER OF OUR COUNTRY !!!!

[Tyssilago]

HAHAHAHAHAA

Oh, wait. You're serious. Let me laugh even harder.

HAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH­AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH­AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH­AHAHAHAHA

[xmoroseguyx]

If the American Government puts money into a company, And thus becomes the major shareholder in said company, They, Can have a say in the running of the business, That`s not Socialist, That`s a capitalist practice, A Socialist Government would have simply taken over the company, With all private shares returned to the state

[RakshasaCat]

So when will you guys be shutting down the socialist marxist inspired military industrial complex? That's some pretty damn good socialist agenda driven subsidies to an industry that should be following the laws of market economics, not sucking the government coffers dry.

[jackryantheman]

When you decide to turn off Fox News and learn what ACTUAL socialism is and then can prove Obama is really a socialist (which he isn't) then you can make a new video and you'll probably get less than 87 dislikes

[CosmoShidan]

People don't know what communism is either. Communism is anarchism without free thinking.

[doobersmanster]

Chinas income tax for the rich is 40% that sounds pretty close to socialism...is'nt china a socialist state?

[majordbag2]

There are so many things dumb about this video but I’ll point out the most glaring: Socialists generally nationalize industries that yield high profits, like Oil and natural gas, and avoid bankrupt industries that hemorrhage red ink, like our crappy auto companies.

@doobersmanster China hasn't really been Socialist since the early 1980s. Also That's like saying that having the interstate system makes this country fascist because it's based off the Autobahn which was created in Nazi Germany.

[doobersmanster]

@majordbag2 Forced abortions and confiscation of private property..controlling and manipulation of the economy..sounds socialistic, but I could be wrong..I have talked to several Russians that have immigrated to America and they say that America is just as much a Socialistic country as they are...I am for free enterprise all the way..no gov intervention at all..thanks

[majordbag2]

@doobersmanster Forced abortions really don't have anything to do with Socialism since those can happen under any economic system. Property being seized happens in this country too, except it has generally taken the form of land stolen from various native tribes or property of the poor under "Eminent domain". It's OK to be anti-gov't and push a more free market economy, which I'll admit has merit, but you have to admit if Obama's Socialist then so was Bush and every president since Hoover.

[jakle52]

Are you all serious Socialism is a state in witch every thing is owned by the state witch is owned by the people. Where every one wins the same amount of money regardless if they have a job or not its a welfare state. The resound people have appose it is because we always wana prove that where better than the other guy.

[5popsracer]

@jakle52 Learn to read, and then to write coherently. See if next time you can expound upon some subject of which you know shit from shinola about.

Thank you,

All the Teachers you didn't pay attention to. (there's LOTS of us).

[bushbasher85]

You know how most conservative videos, the highest ranked comments are liberal statements, on liberal videos the highest rank comments are liberal statements. Well I am a liberal and this is something Im highly guilty of too, but shouldn't we liberals be doing more instead of watching youtube videos complaining about Sarah Palin all day?

[ramashkagromik]

Look at GM now! restructured, reformed, returning to profitability, and paid back US governement the loan!

[TheAqui1a]

@ramashkagromik Don't waste your breath... they'll never listen - they're stuck in their ways.

[xaviqaz]

@TheAqui1a GM is doing well because of the strong growth in US, mexican and chinese markets. In China sells 3 times more than Toyota. Not so strong in other markets. Chrysler has been bought by a CEO and a company that is willing to escape from italian unions (the most left-wing radical unionism in Europe). By the way, foreign automakers in America have production facilities almost exclusively in conservative or right to work states.

[TheAqui1a]

@xaviqaz That's because they know that's where the idiots who won't stand up for their own rights live.

[xaviqaz]

@TheAqui1a So it would be better not having 10 foreign automakers producing in USA? Jobs, not rights, feed families. Liberals cry over outsourcing jobs overseas but support or understand the NLRB's complaint against Boeing. It's Airbus, not Boeing, who has opened an assembly plant in China.

[AvatarOfGames]

even so thats more fascism than socialism isnt it?

[Axmedkoole]

I am a Socialist and proud, and one day I will be an American president. After all, you say "anything is possible in America". Why not me becoming your president.

[iamthenicestever]

@Axmedkoole why not? cause your a moron!

[Axmedkoole]

@iamthenicestever, we had moron presidents in the past as well, last one being George W. Bush. Get real.

[georgecwilliamsjr]

You don't know what socialism is.

[s5b678]

The option was either a repeat of 1928 or the government steps in to try and prop up the capitalist system that had collapsed for a second time in fewer than 100 years. I'll take the government preventing another depression thank you. Aside from that Obama has stated numerous times that he plans on relinquishing control of the company when he feels they have a solid business plan. This is temporary.

[griesrt]

I'm am def not in favor of fear mongering aganist the left but I can say that the def. of socialism is the gov controlling the means of production. Anything else if not socialism. So by the government controlling Gm that would mean that they control much of the production of cars by GM. On the other hand, the government controlling the banks to me is not a bad idea being that banking should not be a "means of production" even though it is just about the largest money hungry business.

[wr4tchild]

Sigh! All you who think Obama is a socialist? You obviously don't even know what socialism is! Stop being silly, come to Sweden, live here a year, and then you may get a grip on what socialism is.

[xaviqaz]

@wr4tchild Sweden is not socialist

[wr4tchild]

@xaviqaz But the biggest political party is the Social Democracy Party, so we know what socialism really is. By the way, Socislism does NOT equal Communism as some of you believe.



[xaviqaz]

@wr4tchild In Northern Europe the polical monopoly of social democracy is over. Your country has privatized a lot of sectors since early 1990s crisis and your corporate tax rate is one of the lowest in western Europe. In fact, northern european countries rank much better in economic freedom than France or southern Europe.

[wr4tchild]

@xaviqaz Doesn't change the things I said. The Social Democrats are still the biggest political party so here people can see the political ideas of real socialists.

[iamthenicestever]

@xaviqaz sweden is socialist, the politcal party in power now isnt but if you compare them to the rest of the world, they're socialist!

[FreedomInAmerica]

Bill Maher also thinks he's a libertarian yet pushes for America to go on Medicare.

[JosephusBlowesus]

We have more super rich and super poor people than ever before. So I am not going to be learning the "Internationale" in the near future

[Winterwolf00]

When I hear that I can vote with my fellow workers to fire our boss because he's an asswhole and doesn't pay us enough. THEN you can say we're a socialist country. Till then quit your whining.

[soundslave]

Whats wrong with leaning left? Since when did 'liberal' or 'progressive' become a dirty word?

[siogyumolcs]

hang yourself poster

[doorki42]

which is more socialist? firing an incompetent ceo of a company you now own or or keeping him on board and letting him destroy the company twice then giving the bill to the taxpayers. it's the republicans who do not want competition and to let the middle class die on the vine just look at the numbers

[tubabynight]

socialism leads to communism, and communists spend lots on the military.  By that basic rational the US is already a communist country. No wait, I think that is more like fascist.

[Elchingobean]

DOWN with Communism, UP with Socialism!!!!...no seriously.

[spites1]

this was a little extreme, bailouts = socialist? lol. yeah the recent bailouts are extremely uncalled for but SOCIALISM?

this was made by another glen beck watching overly political mildly retarded RACIST sore loser.

[FromAMartianMoon]

The word socialism is so badly tarnished and morphed.

[GenghisKhanPolitics]

I'm sorry, but your assertion is a load of crap. Socialists don't bail out companies so they can return to their "supply&demand" method of operation. They flat out nationalize them.

Right now, federal taxes are at a historically low level and according to a recent analysis, corporate profits are at an all time high, hitting 1.37$ trillion in the first quarter of this year.

So far, Obama has been very good to Capitalism. People who call Obama a socialist have no idea what real socialism is.

[Achilles9924]

Nice blame game going on. Everyone is glad to join while they little to no idea about economy. Anyone who does and is warning people of corporate control and corruption in government is a conspiracy theorist. Go america and study economy and civics and also while you're at it realize that TV is NOT A RELIABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION. Bill Maher is a comedian (Phd in joking) but he is at least right about one thing, Americans are lazy enough to turn their TV on and believe the biased media.

[joshBLANKEN]

The poster obviously doesn't understand what constitutes socialism. Government funding of private sector businesses is closer to fascism(although it isnt), which is on the opposite end of the political spectrum

[LiBlub1]

Geithner is the most corrupt democrat there is!

[osp80]

@coccioloneus GM is already paying or has already paid (not sure) the money back.they're going to offer a IPO soon.i guess the dumbass right wingers can shut the fuck up now

[Chesty24MAU]

Bill Maher is a socialist, just like his mothah

[mustxgetxout]

this is in no way proof of any kind of government take over if you are to loan someone money you must have stipulations and guidelines that's just good buissness think of GM as a whole and every worker including the president as a part of the whole not as the whole you dig?

[Pseudologic]

The poster of this video is a complete fucking retard. Just because a surgeon is standing over a person with a knife doesn't always mean that the surgeon is trying to kill the person.

[adityase]

You mean cleaning up Bush's mess?

[sandinista138]

Lame fucken video......Oh Socialism....scary....

[rickmiller33]

The clown who put this up is taking Maher out of context by cutting off the rest of Maher's point. He probably believes in the magic man from the sky, too. Nice.

[NeroroPuj]

I completely agree. Taking from the poor and giing to rich Capitalist companies is pure socialism (sarcasm)

[ppaco18]

First of all, The Bail out was a George Bush policy that was carried out by Obama when he took office. Second of all, you clearly have no idea of what's socialism if you think that bailing out these companies means that the government is nationalizing these industries. There's a define line between you're government helping too big too fail companies (exactly what's wrong with capitalism) and the government owning these companies. They still have CEO, corrupt CEO's for that matter.

[romeosevendelta]

If the president can, in effect, fire an employee of a private company over a management issue, then that company is, in effect, is nationalized.

Socialism by proxy is still socialism.

Obama is no better than Bush for not scrapping the bail-out after nearly a year of presidency anyway...

[jimmythekiddd]

yeah the corrupt CEOs Obama put in there

[larsiemannen]

@ppaco18 There is nothing wrong with capitalism, its a pity its not under practice. We have eco-sosio-fascism nowadays, combined with an evil democratic mood. burn in hell

[ppaco18]

@larsiemannen it's not under practice? BP and other oil companies are not regulated, result (oil spills) The banks and derivatives swaps not regulated, result (economic collapse). don't get me wrong I do think capitalism works as long as it's regulated and there's caps for how big can a company be,

[larsiemannen]

@ppaco18 Are you telling me that human are infailable? Do you think BP would love to waste alot of money by letting oil leak out of their wells? Give me a freakin' break. I promise you, nothin will be better with Govt. controlling sheit. btw. nearly everything in life is regulated, if its not - its illegal. We live not in a capitalistic system, even tho we are using some of its mechanics. plx read sum' bout capitalism before u critisize it.

[ppaco18]

@larsiemannen ... because if companies can just become monsters then the small business can't compete, choice becomes non-existence and our personal freedom is taken away because although we're not force to purchase any specific product, the manipulation of the market by big companies enslaves you into it, example (health insurance, computer OS)

[larsiemannen]

@ppaco18 did you know that the us enterprize contain 70% small/micro business'? There is no way that a business is TO BIG TO FAIL. thats a myth. learn some history, and add some common sense to it. If everything would be -totally- free, there would be no such thing as monopolies.. only govt. influed branches of life is a monopoly

[ppaco18]

@larsiemannen Really, well did you know that these financial institutions represent 63% of our GDP, which is precisely why they're too big to Fail, and how did they get that way, well precisely by deregulating the banks. the idea that corporations are gonna do the right thing without having someone pushing them is a joke, and the idea of don't worry the Free Market will fix itself out is a fantasy, I think you're reading the wrong books.

[larsiemannen]

Its wrong to say its being derugalted. Govt. had more and more influence over their actions since 1995, and probably before aswell. Govt. forced'em too take on loans they wouldnt do. At last, they had to buy up different companies. This is not free market; and beside - what would happend if you would like to make ur own currency? you would end up in prison. this is not -free market-, nor is it capitalism - its keyanism, aka socialism. read it up.

[ppaco18]

@larsiemannen you're explanation makes no sense, nothing in your response supports remotely the idea of socialism, I think you should take you "read it up" advice to yourself, and please when you do actually pick history books and no commentary ones, you know Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh's books are not the best source of information. Ah and by the way Kenya is a democratic country.

[satanspilz]

@ppaco18 rofl keyanism is something very different from kenya haha fail my friend

[ppaco18]

@satanspilz It's possible, although being that he didn't write Keynesianism, I took his use of keyanism as if he was referring to Kenya and the assumption that Obama was born there.

[withasneeze]

what was suppose to happen when it went bankrupt?

[bigdogmoe69]

fucking idiot, if the companies accept, keyword accept, bailout money of course the government has the right to tell them how to spend it. thats like you giving your money to the bank and having no recourse when they blow it all. is the fdic socialist too?

[GuitarDemystified]

i could be wrong, but i was thinking that the bailouts were announced by the Bush admin. and then Obama updated it to hold GM accountable for the $ they owe taxpayers.

republicans need better ideas to move forward because calling current admin. socialists is as helpful as people hating on bush -'04-'08 and nothing changing. that era jaded me politically. i'm sure others feel the same, political division just sucks for all. hope we can all move 4wrd wiser.

[azure606hotmailcom]

So I didn't see any real arguments supporting a link to Socialism in your video.. Maybe you could define your interpretation of Socialism in the video's info-box or something. Then at least opponents of your position could get excited about creating points of refutation rather than dismissing you outright.

Am I right to say that you're making the fallacious logical leap from increased government intervention and spending to some taboo you egregiously label socialism the borders totalitarianism?

[lokalspelaren]

OMG for the first thing, DUDE, BILL MAHER WAS SARCASTIC! for gods sake! its was nearly a joke! he was implying that they were overreacting!

[VanDoodah]

FOX News has a conservative bias.

Reality has a liberal bias.

[GonzoTheGreat3000]

Hmm. Seems this video is overrun with moronic conservatives. It's such a sad sight to see so many mislead people living in plastic realities. You all have my pitty, it must be hard to always keep your conservative fingers held up tight in your ears to block out the truth. Did any of you even graduate highschool? . . Most conservatives don't, they're too buisy quoting Bible verses and shooting deer in the woods. Haha.

[larsiemannen]

@GonzoTheGreat3000 What is the reality, that Obama is not a socialists? Do you even know the definition of socialism?

[Pseudologic]

@larsiemannen He knows what socialism is, but you obviously dont.

[ImmaDwarfKicker]

@GonzoTheGreat3000 Conservatives look for evidence to support what they already think and dismiss, troll, and hate on evidence against what they already believe.

[RHCP4455]

Thats why he owns less than 1% of the American Corporations

[edwin4411]

Obama should not have the power to own anything as far as a corporation since the conflic of interest is beyong belief and this eventually will lead to monopolies which as far as I know are not good for the mayority since there is no competition to build better cars just look in history and see how the USSR was run and how they collapsed after they spent all their money just like how we are doing now with the stimulus and bailouts.

[exbronco1980]

These institutions whose ceos were forced to quit, they were getting gov bailouts. if u get a gov bailout, u can't complain about the strings attached. if they really wanted to keep the ceos, they should have refused the gov bailout.

[mrwnt10]

That's exactly why government involvement in the economy is a horrible idea! Obama in effect blackmailed GM: take the money and live or go bankrupt and maintain your integrity.

And now Obama appoints a new GM CEO who said, and I quote, "I don't know anything about cars."

This is why the government should stay out of business. We do NOT need Obama trying to run GM as well as our country. He will fail miserably. He will run it based on politics, not economics. And it will fail

[exbronco1980]

i'm not an expert on GM or banks or economics, but, i'm guessing that those institutions failed all on their own, without any gov involvement. Also, i think a lot of financial institutions failed because they had TOO LITTLE Gov regulation. u're making it sound like the gov came in unilaterally and said "ok, we're taking you businesses over whether u like it or not." GM and the banks came to the gov begging for a bailout. huge bailouts should come with some strings attached

[mrwnt10]

No, they definitely failed on their own. And they should have been left to fail. That's how capitalism works. The smartest companies should win out.

I'm saying do we really want our government to have so many strings wrapped around our businesses? I sure don't.

Government cannot run a business. They have failed with Social Security. They do not change dynamically according to supply and demand, as private businesses must do to survive. Govruins businesses because economics doesn't apply to it

[BiffWebster100]

Capitalism is not the smartest companies winning out. It evolves one of two ways: either the largest companies (not always the smartest) flex political muscle and shoulder out the little guy and form a de facto oligarchy, or the oligarchy begins to form and the government steps in and places restrictions or socialstic changes. Either the Oligarchs or Government is in charge. You always have a master in any system. I wish people wouldn't romanticize capitalism as if every man is his own boss.

[Urbania05]

werther it's that or it isn't... it works.... and all of us are going to be sorry when it's gone. i don't think you understand capitalism.. that's okay.. neither does our president.

[BiffWebster100]

I am well aware of the definition of Capitalism. It's not "(whether) it is or isn't..." Capitalism ISN'T the best companies winning out. Do you really think Goldman Sachs is run by the smartest men in America or...could their massive profits possibly have something to do with the power they wield in the Obama (and before that Bush) administration. Successful companies buy influence so they don't have to "work" for the consumer. That is not Capitalism. Maybe it is at Fox News.

[Urbania05]

I agree with edwin4411........ before you attack what you don't understand.. look at the numbers.. and then our laws. you seem to know all about capitalism {lol}.. i guess that means you would know the logistics of this country's situation, by the numbers.... and you would know about corporate law within a capitalist system, wouldn't you?? because biff.... you soo got this down to peg {yawn}

[BiffWebster100]

That was almost a sentence, but not even close to a thought. Instead of using ridiculous initialisms and stage directions (yawn) like a teenager you might want to try something other than sarcasm. How about enlightening me with these numbers that disprove anything I have written?

[Urbania05]

okay, jackass, since sarcasm.. a leftest quality gets under the libpig's skin... her's some numbers for your sheep mentality brain... in 6 months.... we have allocated 3 trillion, with 67 billion of the first tarp used. obama then states he's saved usfrom depression. if 67 billion's the magic number, why did pres. gloom and doom warn congress that anything other than the tarp would lead to diaster. waste of money, you ask me... considering we didn't need those funds to get us awy from doom.

[Urbania05]

but hey, BIFF, an intellegent guy like you... who clearly gets the american system, would be able to see a bad idea from a mile away, wouldn't you? btw, im more of an adult than your pathetic liberal leaders or you will ever be.

[Urbania05]

then, after mr. vote to rush this through or die puts into place this horror of gov't waste, he issues another couple of trillion... because you loons need spend money...spending over 4 times our previous debt from the last 10 years of failed gov't, while warning that if he doesn't act and pass these spending bills, unenployment would rise above 8% {that's e-i-g-h-t} percent. well..moron was wrong.. or he lied...he spent and spent... and oh geez, that rate is now approaching 10 (t-e-n) percent.

[BiffWebster100]

I didn't know sarcasm was a leftist quality. You should send Rush Limbaugh an email and let him know. He might want to pay the DNC royalties or something since he respects property rights so much. Goldman ( my original example) received $10b in TARP funds and billions more funneled through AIG. Are they that multiple more deserving of my tax dollars than the man on my block whose small contracting business went under? You seem to have entirely missed the point.

[Urbania05]

then you don't know yourself.. and there you go.. hitting on rush. why not hit on that fat fuck hypocrit gore or that other hypocrit kennedy.... goldman was badly regulated by those whom you vote for.. and aig... another liberal mistake...... but you guys don't make mistakes do you? you have missed the point. totally... then again you are a democrat. and ask that obamatard buffet to write out a check, too. he owns percentages of many corporations recieving tarp.

[BiffWebster100]

Bailing out bloated companies is Corporatism, not liberalism. You seem to think I worship Obama or something. I know the right wing (and too many on the left) fall victims to cults of personality. Maybe you were one of the Bush cultists-I don't know. I am a leftist, though I disagree with them on many things. I'm not a Democrat and you should not assume things you have no way of knowing.

[Urbania05]

like what strings.. im your liberal president.. do as i say? it wasn't too little or too much regulation.... it was bad regulation. but libs don't understand that... and i'm guessing you wouldn't either. and basically, the gov't did take over.. illeagally.

[exbronco1980]

These companies failed on their own. The gov did not make them fail. they asked the gov for a bailout. what was the gov supposed to do? say "oh, here's all the bailout money u want, but there are no strings attached, just do whatever u want"

[eyeinidas]

I agree with you on that one. Anyone who thinks that the United States Government will do anything without strings is not thinking things through. That's no excuse for the American people to allow this sort of overt Marxist takeover. Those bailouts should not have occurred and any company that is run badly should be allowed to go under. That is the free market solution to the problem of greed and corruption.

[CGMossa]

Alright you stupid idiots. You must realize that you can only complain about one single thing. Either you complain about the fact that a lot of people is losing their jobs, and accept that taxes are going to raise, because the administration is trying to save everyone's occupation, or you complain about taxes and accept that people will lose their jobs.

It is not that difficult to figure out! Some of you are just being plain racist/stupid. Come on people!

[carcariden]

ahhhhh! the scary muslim socialist will kill us all....hide under your desks!!!! the end is nigh!!!! ..... sorry, I have neo-con tourette's

[claymayo]

Socialism, per Merriam-Webster (If it walks like a duck...)

"any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods..."

or...

"a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done"

Should we not use the word because it is inaccurate, or just inflammatory?

[DonJack1776]

Haha we have fooled the nation. Finally, comrades, we can now seize the means of production and send our enemies to the FEMA concentration camps. Once this is accomplished we can take all the guns away, open the boarders, and install Fidel Castro as our new leader!

Stop it with this black helicopter bullshit, WINGNUTS! Obama isn't a socialist. I'm to the left of Obama and I'm not even a socialist.

[tubaboy71]

LOL @ the idiot liberals who can't see wtf is going on in the "name of being fair"....Government control of pay? Obama firing a CEO? Illegal construction of a bankruptcy? What in Obama's stimulus will effect the economy? Why are more people against it now than for it? The stock market goes up 700 points and a few idiots think the stimulus is working? Do you know what the government is doing with the trillion dollars they released from the FED the night Obama went on Leno?

[joeyjojo]

all good comments here. i'd also like to point out that a truly socialist government would be unlikely to purchase ANY means of production. they would simply aquire it by force or "nationalise" it, so to speak.

so, if you aren't OPENLY comparing Obama's policies to those of the USSR or Cuba (and you can't), then who ARE you comparing them to?

[Computer2142]

Look you Reps. You don't know what socialism is. Socialism were the gov owns everything. This is not the case. The computer you use. To spread your lies is owned by YOU or your parents r-wing parents. Every gov in the world is buying out companies to keep there country stable. So I guess using your logic every country is soislist. No the thing is that we are a mixed ecomoney under all partys reps and dems. You both bail out ppl. Its only a smart of soilsims we are getting the bad part.

[Protoman85]

Hah! Socialism is not when goverment owns everything, are you high? That's not even communism. That's a fantasy.

[finerbiner]

then why don't you define it for everyone so we can be as well informed as you?

[priorzola]

But if you want to taalk about good SOCIALIST you should talk about Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt who charged a 90% tax on the rich and GW Bush who BAILED OUT BILLIONAIRE BANKERS with ZERO accountability. Those were two of the best Socialists this country has ever seen, tool. The GOVT OWNS these companies because those who ONCE owned them failed. So either they go out of business altogether, like good Capitalist should, or the get NEW MANAGEMENT, PERIOD!

[priorzola]

Hey tool, wasn't it GM and the BANKS the ones who came to the GOVERNMENT and not the other way around? Sorry tool, the federal govt has been giving every industry from the FINANCIAL to the FARMING to PHARMACEUTICALS and every major industry in between MASSIVE SUBSIDIES for decades, I didn't hear you tools calling that SOCIALISM. You really need to find new rhetoric because not only is it WRONG, it's a sad broken record for a bunch of neocons who can't come up w/ new ideas.

[Soninha1982]

Very true, I think Obama should take as hard a stance on banks as he has on GM. The same people who call him socialist are many of the same people criticizing him for not aiding with unemployment fast enough. Also, don't forget the oil industry has been receiving subsidies for years. GOOD capitalism should have funded alternative energy LONG ago, before global warming is where we are today.

FYI: Canada's gov't also bought part of GM.

[andreasjs2]

hahaha... this is why Europe is laughing at the US..

[wittyvegan]

The US is practically BUYING bankrupt companies to keep the capitalist system stable. And if you own a company it is your right to fire the people responsible for the bankruptcy.

What would be the non-socialist-solution?

- Letting GM go broke and all jobs related to it?

- Or simply stuffing tax-payer-money into GM without a good restructure-plan?

[mitchblatt1dot1com]

Yes, the government BUYING companies is socialism. GM makes crappy cars no one wants to buy, the government subsidizes GM making crappy cars no one wants to buy, companies that actually make good cars can't compete as well.

They go broke, then Ford and Toyota and maybe some new companies will have the ability to expand. And yes, Toyota does employee a whole lot of Americans in US plants.

[wittyvegan]

So every government which owns parts of a company is socialist? In that case there are not many capitalist governments around.

[xpo50]

plus its not like he just randomly bought GM, he gave them a shitload of money that they were BEGGING him for. So if Obama is a socialist then so is every CEO of a major corporation asking for a bailout. Or they could just be making a move to try and stabilize the economy

[tubaboy71]

AHHH when was there another time when the US government nationalized banks, factories and insurance? (all at once?) When was there another time when the government fired a ceo? When was the last time we had a pay czar? When was the last time the government over ruled the laws of bankruptcy? If you had ANY common sense you should be pissed off at the fact GM and Chrysler did file for bankruptcy before ANY bailouts were made to them! They just wasted billions!

[Darusdei]

Stop using the word socialism...

actualy i hope that your whole media stops using the word when cleary you have no idea at all what socialism means and / or variations of socialism...

how hard is it to find out what it really is? or cant you people understand what you read? i've heard that this too is a big problem in the states...

[tubaboy71]

What is the correct term? Nationalism???? As soon as the dems take full control of Citibank that will be socialism...government control of manufacturing (GM) , banking on every level, and insurance (aig). Healthcare? Cap and trade? Do you understand what Obama's people did to the car dealers? How about Senior bond holders? This method is called a "Soft Tyranny". You can't blame this on Bush either as the shares and so forth could have been delt with TOTALLY differently than what they were.

[19641924]

Hey D'boy, CAN'T YOU JUST SPELL CORRECTLY? Oh, I'm sorry, you probably grew up in a socialist country where grades don't count- It might hurt your self esteem! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!!

[Pseudologic]

@mitchblatt1dot1com That's not socialism, that's corporatism. If Obama was socialist he'd privatize the oil companies.

[larsiemannen]

@Pseudologic tsktsk. fascism and socialism is based upon the same principle; individual producion is property of the commons.

[Pseudologic]

@larsiemannen Wrong. Fascism is control by the strong, Socialism is control by the workers. Figure out the basic political spectrum before you being hanging teabags on your tricorner hat.

[lockedinsideurhsbox]

@mitchblatt1dot1com y would u want toyota to expand when they r foreign and we need to be keeping jobs IN the US. and ford is a shitty gas guzzling brand which we dnt need here. they may be making some jobs in america but it makes a lot of other jobs elsewhere

[HowlinJay]

@mitchblatt1dot1com Actually, it's less socialist, and more Keynesian. When Obama starts returning the means of production and distribution to the workers, I'll believe he's a socialist.

It's pretty impossible to label what he's doing as 'socialist', when there are still overpaid bureaucrats calling all the shots. It's more akin to 'State Capitalism'.

[mangajo]

@mitchblatt1dot1com the government buying companies without taking management is not socialism. it's a corporate state, or etatisme. it's not public control, sorry...

[timetochilli]

@wittyvegan none of them!

[daPlumber702]

@wittyvegan I'm confused by this comment. were you meaning to trash capitalism, or defend it?

if you meant to trash it you did a horrible job.. if you meant to defend it, kudos.