Lawrence O'Donnell On Socialism BS - The ED Show

[JohnnyK]

Run time: 02:11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q9KnI90hS4   Posted on YouTube: May 09, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: May 09, 2009 By DU Member: JohnnyK Views on DU: 1998

 
May 8, 2009 - Lawrence O'Donnell Guest-Hosts on The ED Show.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

1. I remember it like it was yesterday

When my octogenerian dad was treated for lymphoma, my mother showed me all the bills, sighed and said, "Thank God for Medicare."

[spartan61]

2. I heard that Medicare was enacted 44 years ago

and at the time it was voted on, not one Republican voted for it. Do you honestly think they would want to get rid of it because it is Socialism? The word "socialism" must be the word of the day for all those repuke anchors. They make me sick.

[stlsaxman]

3. you "heard" it? yes- this happens to be correct! we should all be armed with hard facts

to thwart these neo-con sons of bitches. I'm so glad you mentioned that you heard that NOT ONE Republican voted for Medicare. Now all we have to do is look it up and know for sure exactly when and how this happened. They may make us sick but- armed with the facts- we can make them sicker!

ps- i don't mean to attack you, spartan... just a little pep talk to hopefully inspire us all to act!

[spartan61]

14. I know you weren't attacking me but actually giving me advice.

I probably shouldn't have posted what I heard but instead should have done a little research to make sure it was true. I heard this from either Lawrence O'Donnell or Jonathan Alter on MSNBC and I tend to believe what they say. You are right, I should have checked the facts.

[stlsaxman]

16. That was where i heard it, also- and it was Johnson who signed it into law.

Hey it's GOOD you admitted hearing it and not stating as fact but based on hearsay... that's what THEY do. Difference is- they either get it wrong because that's what's intended or 'cause they're just plain stupid.

oh and long belated welcome to DU!

:fistbump:

[stlsaxman]

4. Kick and Rec... Go, Mr O'Donnell!

[suede1]

5. Nicely said! K & R

[tomm2thumbs]

6. ** correction *** here's the actual voting record from 1965 - some Republicans did vote for it

I use this site to get facts for debates with Republicans whom I know - so honesty in politics is important when throwing around 'facts' - here are the real numbers from the votes on Medicare with link below - the numbers vary but it appears Republicans did vote for it. It makes it easier for us to fight for issues when we have the numbers/facts right.

(listing shows: for, against, no vote)

Senate
Democrats 57, 07, 04
Republican 13, 17, 02

House
Democrats 237, 48, 08
Republicans 70, 68, 02

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/history/tally65.html



At the bill-signing ceremony President Johnson enrolled former President Harry S. Truman as the first Medicare beneficiary and presented him with the first Medicare card.

[newmac]

7. Do they ever tell us why we should fear socialism?

They just need to create something to be afraid of.

[Chulanowa]

8. No, they don't

However what they're trying to do is stir up this chain in people. Socialism = Communism = USSR = Stalin = Evil

Thankfully this chain of fear is being broken down by the fact we now have voters who never so much as sniffed the cold war. My little sister was born a few months after the breaking of the Berlin Wall, and voted straight liberal (though not necessarily Democrat...) in November, and plans to do the same thing in the midterms and any municipal elections that crop up.

The generations before the Cold War wanted socialism. The generations after the cold war want socialism. It's just the baby boomers who are squealing in anguish about the thought that we'll turn into the "Evil Empire"

[stlsaxman]

18. thanks tomm! good job!

[stevietheman]

9. Sometimes I wonder if the best-kept secret in this country is that...

America is indeed a somewhat socialist country and has been for a very long time.

[mwb970]

11. I learned in economics class that ours is a "mixed economy".

Like all developed nations of the West. France and Sweden have a mix tilted more toward socialism; we have a mix tilted pretty far toward capitalism. Maybe too far.

[howmad1]

10. Hey, how about we start the following:

Republicanism = Naziism. Sure as shit works for me.

[stlsaxman]

17. Unfortunately they have used the "Socialism" part of Nazi against us and the sheeple are buying it.

Maybe then we do "Republican = Nationalists = White Power = Hate Groups". Still use a swastika in ref to them- hell, they LIKE that!

[PatrynXX]

12. Lemme know when they shut the USPS down

Course the way USPS does it's thing it might do it on it's own, but it's still a bit of socialism.

[MasonJar]

13. Lawrence is the best.

[WhoIsNumberNone]

15. Glenn Beck doesn't know the difference between socialism and fascism

No biggie though, because neither does his audience.