» Republicans are now socialists.

I had an economics professor tell me that if a government (of any flavor) can last long enough, it will eventually turn towards socialism. Karl Marx also believed in this trend, and that it then eventually led to Communism.

For those of you who don't know the difference, here's the 5 cent definition:

so·cial·ism [soh-shuh-liz-uhm] –noun
1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
2. (in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.

com·mu·nism [kom-yuh-niz-uhm] –noun
1. a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.
2. a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party.

Recently in Wisconsin, an angry McCain supporter told McCain "I'm really mad" because of "socialists taking over the country," McCain replied "I think I got the message. The gentleman is right." McCain then segued into his "Democrats in control of Congress" rap.

Well, now President Bush is suggesting that the government buy and own banks (or large shares of banks). We, the "community" are the "government" ... now refer above to definition #1 of socialism.

As an "old-school" Republican, I can see how Bush has destroyed the Grand Old Party's basic platform and turned it into the very un-Republican "neo-con" entity that it is now. Democrats promote social programs, but Republican politicians would have you believe that "social" programs equals "socialism" -- the two are very different -- promoting a welfare program, for example, in no way equals socialism (remember definition #1 above?).

I am in no way promoting socialism or communism, but I am indeed pointing out that Bush has now pointed the Republicans down the socialist path. So, can someone please tell the angry, not-so-educated McCain supporter that he can stop putting ill-placed blame on the Democrats.

I also find it funny that most Republicans make less than $65k per year, but also want to remove social programs -- programs that benefit the "under $65k per yer" crowd -- as my kids say: "duh".