Democrats and Socialists As Defined By Virgina Foxx
“To me the bigger question is not about liberalism or conservatism; it’s about doing the right thing for the people…” Roy J. Carter, Challenger NC-05
The above quote is in direct response to Virginia Foxx’s question:
“I guess that means that he’s supporting them, (Sens. Clinton and Obama), Does it mean that’s he’s supporting the most liberal person in the Senate and the sixteenth most liberal person in the Senate? Is he throwing his hat in the ring with them?”
The gloves have been thrown off with abandon as the race for the North Carolina 5th Congressional seat has escalated this week, and rightly so. Virginia Foxx has once again gotten in over her head wielding accusations, name-calling, and using the tactics of fear in an attempt to garnish the support of her conservative base. One can only assume that her strong statements have something to do with her ranking in the annual Congressional Power report, which placed Foxx 399th out of 435.
Roy Carter decided to respond after listening to a radio interview with Foxx on Wilkes County Christian radio Station, WWWC, “Focus on The Foothills” program when referring to Senators Clinton and Obama saying:
“I mean they both basically are socialists. He more than she...”
Carter quickly responded to the name calling:
"How dare Foxx embarrass our district by making slanderous statements about two honorable Americans and outstanding Presidential Candidates? Both Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama have dedicated their lives to the noble calling of public service and they deserve nothing less than respect.”
Foxx of course refused to apologize for her accusations, instead she admitted,
“I don’t know the dictionary definition of socialism, but most people would see that is socialism.”
A note to Foxx, for the record, “Socialism is an economic system based in which the production and distribution of goods are controlled substantially by the government rather than by private enterprise, and in which cooperation rather than competition guides economic activity.” As defined by the American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition.
Well Mrs. Foxx, I am interested in knowing which platform planks you’re referring too that either Clinton or Obama have called for the government control over private businesses. Healthcare? As far as I have read, both candidates’ plans allow for citizens to utilize their private health insurance plans. What I don’t believe in, however, is our current policy of Universal WARfare. I don’t want my tax dollars to go is an unjust war in Iraq. I don’t want my money to be spent on a Sparta Teapot museum. I don’t want $13.5 Million of my tax dollars for the World Toilet Summit, the Wild Turkey Federation, or the Museum of Glass, all of which were attached in appropriation bills that you voted for.
Yes. I work for Roy Carter for Congress. Yes. I am biased. I will remain so as long as Roy Carter chooses insurance for children over tea pots.
You also voted against Katrina Aid, a minimum wage increase, low interest student loans, and funding for Head Start; all of which Roy Carter would have voted for.
“To my knowledge, I’ve never heard any presidential candidate of either party decry Capitalism or Democracy. Therefore, I don’t think they should be labeled as Socialists.”
Roy J. Carter
Coach Carter, you are right, and not only do you understand the definition of socialist, you also understand what is important to the people of the 5th district. The ability to know what is important to the people that live and work here is what ensures your win on May 6th and again on Nov. 4th. I believe in your campaign slogan,“people above politics”, which is why I will continue to work hard for you, not only because you’re running against someone who has no interest in representing the people of the 5th District, but because I can truly stand behind you and be proud of your willingness to hold our elected officials accountable for their ignorance and the untruths they spread.
- J.Levi.Knapp's blog
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What an embarrassing, hateful woman
It's hard to imagine living in a community where this sort of stupidity is tolerated.
Her stupidity is not surprising....
You know she can't see straight.
Left on 49
Foxx is wrong, but...
Foxx is wrong, but Carter is oversimplifying as well.
Has no one heard of libertarian socialism?
Yes, I know the juxtaposition of those terms breaks some people's brains. But not only is it not a contradiction in terms, it's actually been done before.
The main problem with libertarian socialism appears to be that all governments, be they democratic or authoritarian, capitalist or communist, can agree that it is something that must be stamped out. So it might be a good political philosophy to practice if you want to get killed.
It's not every day you get Neville Chamberlain, Hitler, Stalin, General Motors, Texaco, and Pope Pius XI all in enthusiastic agreement on something.
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relocating from Indianapolis, IN to RTP, NC soon; got any advice for me?
I wouldn't recommend drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. -- Hunter S. Thompson
your over analyzing
Foxx uses the term to evoke the generic idea of a complete command economy. She is attempting to portray this, as both Clinton and Obama's ambition; which is completely false.
She understands Democratic Candidates have been generating more enthusiasm lately, so she will try to counter with fear and distortion.
Virginia Foxx's rhetoric is meant to be shallow.
Could be
I could be reading too much into Carter's words, sure.
But, you see, I'm a Civil War buff—a Spanish Civil War buff.
A brother's gotta represent, sayin'?
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relocating from Indianapolis, IN to RTP, NC soon; got any advice for me?
I wouldn't recommend drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. -- Hunter S. Thompson
"Socialism" as a swear word
People always throw around "socialism" as a swear word, but this is particularly ridiculous. She doesn't even pretend to know what exactly it means! Doesn't even try to fake the book learnin'!
Obama is, and probably Clinton too if you strip out all the triangulation, on the left end of the Senate caucus, but let's put this in perspective. We aren't living in the 30s, hunting out Red bomb throwers, debating 80% marginal tax rates, or nailing down price controls. Left of the Bush administration and Congressional Republicans is pretty balanced.
As I get older
As I get older I am starting to think of socialism as a political philosophy that doesn't pretend that humans are not social animals. We manifestly are, and left to our own devices we will spontaneously form organized societies. It's just one of the things that makes us what we are.
Another key insight I gained when I threw off the shackles of laissez-faire capitalist ideological bondage was the realization that practically all advocates of the "free market"—at least those who command any real political power in this country—are enthusiastic socialists about certain things.
I refer primarily to the socialization of risk that refer to by the legal term "limited liability". It is a sad irony that many of those who most crow about the virtue of personal responsibility lionize those in our society who most successfully avoid it, and do so with the full recognition of the law.
Even those who abuse illegal drugs and steal from their neighbors (in mundane ways) run the risk of legal consequences.
But dump PCBs into a river, or mismanage your multi-billion dollar company into a federal bailout, and your personal liberty is scarcely in jeopardy. The consequences of your actions are someone else's problem.
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relocating from Indianapolis, IN to RTP, NC soon; got any advice for me?
I wouldn't recommend drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. -- Hunter S. Thompson
Amen, Levi.
The The Charlotte Observer picks up on the exchange that you write about and points out other crazy statements that Foxx made during a speech in front of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
um,is she serious??
Foxx really has nerve to try and pull that card. What does she think has been happening for the past 8 years under Bush? She can try and peg Democrats as tax and spend liberals (aka pay as you go) but what about the republicans borrowing and spending to maintain the war in Iraq? The historical deficit created under their watch is paramount to a birth tax!
We are supposed to believe that she cares about hard- working Americans? Let me remind ya'll that she voted against the min. wage increase, SCHIP, low interest student loans, Head Start Funding, and more.
Her comments that Levi discusses above about Obama and Clinton prove that she is an attack dog for her party and willing to reduce discourse to partisan politics. Her comments to the Charlotte Chamber prove that she is out of touch. Both comments point to her campaign strategy: Fearmonger more, talk about issues and her voting record less.
Sorry for the long rant; I know I'm preaching to the choir, but for me this is all just fuel to fire... and brings more urgency to why we have to back Carter and get Foxx out!!
It is not enough to understand, or to see clearly. The future will be shaped in the arena of human activity, by those willing to commit their minds and their bodies to the task. RFK
Rant away
You're always welcome to rant here.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
I think Foxx is a Tom DeLay Republican
If she has any core political beliefs she doesn't care if her actions and votes are contradictory. The response to any criticism is always demonizing and tearing the head off of the critic. Playing for the team and amassing power are more important than content. If you yell loud enough your opponent is wrong.