SOCIALISM...

THE ROAD TOWARD SOCIALISM

By Bill Maher

Remember when President Obama bailed out Detroit and just about everyone on the right used it as proof that Obama was a socialist?

“How is Obama not a socialist?” wondered Fox News’ Peter Ferrara. “This is exactly what socialism is.” Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama said, “It’s the road toward socialism.” Rep. Tom Price, who would later go on to serve in the Trump administration, before being pushed out on corruption charges: “Unfortunately, this is just another sad chapter in President Obama’s eager campaign to interject his administration in the private sector’s business dealings.” Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas called the auto company rescue “the leading edge of the Obama administration’s war on capitalism.”

Well, Trump’s farm rescue is now more than twice as expensive — $28 billion so far, with no end in sight — as Obama’s bailout of the big three, which cost taxpayers $12 billion. The differences are many, but most notably, Obama’s policies didn’t create the problems that led to Detroit’s need for a bailout. However, Trump’s trade war is what’s causing problems for America’s farmers. He lit the fire, then asked taxpayers to help put it out. And yet there are no audible complaints on the right about Trump’s approach to government bailouts or capitalism. Funny that.

Honestly, is there anything Republicans bitched about during the Obama years that they aren’t exponentially more guilty of now that Trump is president? I mean, I get that “bitching about the opposition” is part of politics, and a really fun way to spend our precious time on the planet. But Republicans, I’m just curious: should Trump lose the election, and Elizabeth Warren becomes president, what the hell are you going to be able to bitch about then? What can you possibly say with a straight face after supporting Trump? Are you going to say she’s corrupt? That she’s a liar? An egomaniac? That she’s careless with classified information? She golfs too much? She’s mentally unstable? Un-presidential? That she welcomes our enemies and shuns our allies? That her cabinet lacks experience and gravitas? That it’s amateur hour? That she’s creating uncertainty in the markets? …I could do this all day.