I am tired of hearing simplistic comparisions used to label politicans. In particular I'm tiring of the old conservative refrain "[Insert Democratic offical] is a socialist." But, what does that mean? Webster defines Socalist as: "one who advocates or practices socialism2 capitalized : a member of a party or political group advocating socialism." So what is socialism? Lets go back to Webster:
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods 2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state 3 : 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.

The Webster defination reveals that socialism is a broad term and not a narrow meaning. However, when it is used by political pundits it is meant to conjure up imagines of state controlled markets, authoritarism, forced equalitarianism, and the brutality of Stalin Russia. This is a false equation. The policies of which he is advocating are not elminating merticracy, capitalism, private property or competitiveness.

The same people who scream "Socialist!" Who are aghast at how "freedom is being removed," are the same people who defended Bush's illegal wiretapping, justified the Patriot Act, Guatanamo Bay, and other excessive during the War on Terrorism. It makes little rational sense. Its acceptable to invade privacy, deny basic human rights, and violate parts of the Constitution in one setting, but then claim that the government expanding healthcare coverage to poor citizens is stripping away rights. The logic is hard to grasp.

I'm not attempting to make an argument for Universal Health Care, but I am attempting to critique the tactics used to argue against it. There are reasons to be concerned. Is the coverage expansive enough, can we afford, will it affect the quality of care we receive, and so forth. Those are good questions and a healthy debate should arise to consider those concerns. However to site "Death Panal", euthanasia for elderly, covering abortions, and being the the step to a communist state is absurd and intellectually dishonest. These tactics are used to garner opposition.

Most people lack the time and interest to preform an indepth analysis of Healthcare reform and therefore relay up media. Unfortunetly pundits are used dirty, dishonest tactics to undermine it. They do so by providing a ready made template to understand the issue. Universal health care is socialism. Socialism is communism. Communism failed. Communism is evil. When Americans think of socialism it is associated with Communism as it existed in the USSR, China, Vietnam, Cuba, and so forth. However socialism is a far broader term then that. Marx himself even referrred to the period between capitalism and communism as being socialism. The theorist of Communism differianted socialism from his theoritical form of government. Socialism can refer to any system which seeks to compensate for the inequalities created by capitalism. It can be as simple as government safety nets establish to minimaze the effects of poverty and it go the extreme of forced equality. But when it is used it is the extreme of forced equality that is implied.

By doing so the pundits harm the debate. The debate is not about the merits of the proprosal, but about knee jerk reactions based on low information. This tactic is cheap and dirty and has no place in democratic society. The most most offended by the tactic are socialist themselves. Billy Wharton, a member of the socialist party strongly renounces the claim. Obama needs to nationalize the banks, finacial system, insurance, and pull all troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan before he is anywhere near being a socialist.

Pundits need to stop harming the political debate and cease using code words to conjure up negative images that prevent indepth analysis of the policy being proposed. If Universal Health is bad stop with the dishonest tactics and begin an open debate.

If you want a good job get educated, increase your knowledge, intern, get that advance that degree, volunteer... I have heard this advice since I was young, and yes it is good advice. With that you can increase your marketability, enhance your strengths and intellegect, and more importantly increase your odds at getting paid. However following that advice i find myself with part-time employment and hawking clothes at a department store. When I apply for jobs I rarely have employers not impressed with my experience and education and those same people do not offer me employment. My impressive resume is a hindence. Its ironic that what is a strength in some cases can hold you back in others. With a market oversaterate with job seekers, employers want to pay bottom dollar and people like me often get screwed.

The amazing thing is that I was living the dream I had in high school. I sit at home, look for jobs, watch TV, read books, go on long walks, play with my dog, and have a wife who is able to support me. This is what I sought when I was younger. While I kidded that I wanted a "sugar-momma" there was a degree of truth to it. At some point most people want to be able to do as they please without being burdened by responsibility and committments. Being able to wake up and know that your day is unstructured seems wonderful in the abstract.

Now that I live that dream I had when I was younger I realize that I hate every moment of it. Yes I am reading a lot of good books, I am caught up on most of my favorite TV shows that are posted on hulu.com, and yes I get to play with my dog on a daily basis, but it is hollow. I have no challenges, no accomplishments (other than drinking two pots of coffee in a two hour period) it is an empty existence. I resent the fact that my inability to get hired has forced my wife to be the primary source of income. I resent the fact that I don't even make enough money to support just me. I resent the fact that I am denied jobs that I am extremely qualified for. I resent the fact that I did not have a real plan as to how to utilize my Masters in Political Science. I resent a lot.

As I have learned self-loathing like that is not only unhelpful, but a hinderous. By dwelling on my shortcomings I prevent myself from succeeding, I give rise to doubts which leave me paralyzed with indecision, pessimism, and hopelessness.

I must strive forward to get a job. I have several reasons to do so. 1) My wife needs me to help her support this household. 2) My dog needs more treats. 3) I have a Masters degree in order that I utilize that education and skills that I obtained. 4) I want to travel.

That is enough of a vent for today.