What's wrong with being a socialist?

Last week Obama called NY Times reporter to clarify his position on him "NOT BEING A SOCIALIST". What's wrong with being a socialist? Is it a dirty tag? Is everything perfect with Capitalism? This is my 2 cents on this subject....

I don't think there is anything wrong with being a socialist. Its a form/strategy of setting government priorities and how it impacts citizens. Being capitalist assumes that we all are selfish and if we take care of our own (self, family, business etc.) interest the world would be better place. I totally agree with this assumption of being a capitalist but with a restriction - we shouldn't harm others to take care of ourselves. For an example, my business will be more profitable if I have no competition but that doesn't give us right to harm my competitors. The government regulates this by creating laws. There were regulations (Glass Steagall Act, 1933) in place to separate banking and investment banking till late 1990s and that limited the risk taking abilities of commercial banks. The free market/capitalist principles says less regulations are better for the world and that created the financial mess we are today by repealing Glass Steagell act.

So, government has a responsibility to regulate industries, improve the conditions for its citizens and make laws so that everyone has same opportunities without any bias. Now, here comes the socialist idea.... Make government big in terms of increase in taxes and its budget and improve the life of citizens as a whole. In other way, you tax people/companies who make more money and give services/benefits to the poor. It's some form of redistribution of wealth and personally I don't like it but I think government is just doing its job to help its citizens who need that help to be competitive in market place. Our government has a responsibility to improve quality of life for all the people and not only the productive people, intelligent people. It has to help retired, elderly, disabled, children and others who can't help themselves.

So, it's a fine line between being a socialist or a capitalist. I think government has a responsibility to be capitalist as well as socialist as USA needs both of them at some point of time. Life is not black or white rather it's a shade of gray and Obama has to learn to be both (socialist & capitalist) without offending the other side.

Happy New Year 2009!

Happy New Year 2009!

My vote tomorrow....

I'll vote in my first US presidential election tomorrow and I want to post my comments regarding my choice in this election. Before I make my case, I want to make following points regarding my general thinking about politicians:

1. They are all CROOKS. All of them belong in a prison for some duration for lying and quid pro qo which is illegal. They lie and make up facts in their favor regarding their opponents and you have to be a terrible person to do that.
2. Either they are very patriotic or a total moron. Why would you take a job which doesn't pay much, is 24/7 and whatever you do 50% of your people won't like your decisions/actions?

Having said that here are my choices:

1. For President, I'll vote for Barack Obama. I don't like his tax policies, Iraq policy or Big government policy but I'll vote for him as he seems to be smart. He can understand the grief of his citizens as he was poor, grew up with single mother and grand parents and knows how to succeed in life. I liked John McCain in 2000 primary but he is a different man today than in 2000. I question his judgement in picking Sarah Palin as his running mate and people he surrounds himself with. I was undecided till the first debate when he mentioned, "Senator Obama doesn't know/understand" gazillion time. That was a turning point for me after saying in a "Bible FAKE debate" that middle class is people making 3-4 million per year.

Having said that I won't regret if Sen McCain wins as he is a patriot and very deserving to be a president.

2. Besides that I am voting against all incumbents in my precinct/district except Cong. Gerlach and PA Attorney General Tom Corbett. Compared to other Americans, I am a political junkie so if I don't remember one thing you did in last 2 years, you are not getting my vote. So, Goodbye Mike O'Pake and David Kessler....

So, lets go and vote so that we can regret it together for next 2/4 years!!!!

My First Blog....

This is my first blog so I'll try to be nice. Pennstate Nittany Lions seems to be real this year and I think if they go undefeated they should go to a BCS game. Ohio state is playing ok against Wisconsin but I don't think they are that good this year.

I am getting excited about Eagles tomorrow as I think they are gonna win against Redskins.