Based on the e-mail and comments from my Huffington Post column this week, many readers on the far-right simply don't know how to respond to the "send it back" concept, and they certainly don't grasp the reality of our existing socialized programs in the United States. The strongest responses from the far-right are generally of the "you're a dumb stupid leftist" variety, but not a single e-mail or comment has proved us wrong on this.
One commenter suggested that socialism is okay when it comes to "protecting the citizenry." Of course "protecting the citizenry" could also include providing free and universal healthcare, no?
And e-mailer named Denise tried to tell me that asking about her usage of public schools amounted to an "ad hominem attack" and that I was therefore "an immature leftist." The full e-mail exchange after the jump.
Rock on, Republicans!
Subject: Re: Sean Hannity's Ridiculous War Against Socialism
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:13:02 -0500You are such a typical textbook far left liberal. It’s not surprising why you can’t understand why rational people would not support socialism. I mean, how dare we complain about the government confiscating large chunks of the money that we go to work for everyday and then choosing which groups to be the beneficiary of taxpayer largesse! After all, it is a proven fact (psyche!) that the government is so much more efficient at running things than the average private citizen. (Can you say fraud, waste and abuse, food stamps, social security, medicare, California, etc, etc, etc.).You far lefts are so myopic. Can you point to anywhere in history where socialism has prospered a country or where the people have obtained or maintained the level of freedom that we have here in the US. Regardless of what you say, all American citizens (at least presently) have the same rights and opportunities. We are not all the same, therefore our human nature cannot guarantee equal results for all, but that doesn’t mean that the heavy hand of government should step in and create artificial outcomes for some. When are you going to learn that the government cannot create Utopia? They can however create a ruling class, and pick their favorites. Everyone else who is not lucky enough to be part of the ruling class or the favored class will just be the peons who work and get their money confiscated and be subject to the ruling class regulations. That is too much unchecked power for anyone or any small group to have. If you think that’s a good thing, then you are crazy.The government has a valid purpose, but it is not to redistribute people’s wealth. If you are serious about wanting to help the needy, then put your money where your mouth is and contribute more to charity. If you leftists were more charitable with your own money rather than everyone else’s, then more of the poor and needy could be attended to with private contributions.Denise
My reply:
From: Bob Cesca
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 11:31 AM
Subject: RE: Sean Hannity's Ridiculous War Against Socialism
Fine. Then send it back, Denise.No one's forcing you to use the socialist roads. No one's forcing you to use the socialized police and firefighters. Renounce and reject!Incidentally, you can be the one who tells one out of every two senior citizens that they'll die in poverty.Good luck!Bob
Her response:
Subject: RE: Sean Hannity's Ridiculous War Against Socialism
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:36:21 -0500Typical immature leftist response.
And right back at her:
From: Bob Cesca
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 11:47 AM
Subject: RE: Sean Hannity's Ridiculous War Against SocialismDid you attend public school, Denise? Ever check out a book from a public library? Do you intend to collect Social Security after you retire? I'm sure you've traveled on a state road or interstate highway, haven't you?Why is it okay to redistribute our wealth to Iraq, but it's not okay to redistribute our wealth to roads, bridges, the elderly, the military, schools and job creation?If you're so mature, answer my questions.Bob
She fires back:
Subject: RE: Sean Hannity's Ridiculous War Against Socialism
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:53:30 -0500Again, typical immaturity. When you don’t have any good answers, resort to ad hominem attacks. I pay into social security but I may not be able to collect any because the fund is not there, or didn’t you know that. What does my traveling on the interstate have to do with people having unchecked power. I will not engage you in a discussion on Iraq, because it would be useless. As a typical far leftist, you are apparently more concerned with terrorists rights than national security.
Ad hominem attacks?
From: Bob Cesca
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 12:02 PM
Subject: RE: Sean Hannity's Ridiculous War Against SocialismHow are these questions immature? They're all valid. "Ad hominem" is a personal attack -- like calling someone "immature.">>I pay into social security but I may not be able to collect any because the fund is not thereBut the money you're paying into the trust fund is going to current retirees. That's how it works. It's wealth redistribution. And if, in fact, the trust fund exists when you retire, you'll be collecting funds from taxpayers at that time. But I'm sure you know this.>>What does my traveling on the interstate have to do with people having unchecked power.You're ranting about how socialism is terrible and you're against wealth redistribution. But roads are a socialist program. Your wealth is redistributed to a commons that everyone is allowed to use free-of-charge.You don't want to talk about wealth redistribution to Iraq, so tell me why it's okay to redistribute oil wealth in Alaska under Palin's revenue-sharing program?Bob
Still no satisfactory answers from her:
Subject: RE: Sean Hannity's Ridiculous War Against Socialism
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:09:49 -0500I am not ranting, just calmly pointing out the obvious which you could see if you were not so angry and immature. Pointing out your immaturity is not an attack, just an observation. Your entire world view is filled with childish naiveté. If you could see that, then you would not be immature.Do no e-mail me any more because you are not credible and I am working. I work for a living.
And my final reply:
You e-mailed me!Enjoy your ride home on those socialized roads. I'm glad that your socialized public school education has helped you to find employment. Socialism, it turns out, helps people find jobs.Bob