Is it fair for Obama to use wealth envy to win votes?

Question

Obama constantly talk's about record profits of oil companies and McCain's wife's many investment properties. Is it fair when he says he's going to take their money and give it out to the middle class (his voters)?

BTW, do you actually believe that oil companies are just going to sit back and let Obama take half of their profits? h**l no, they're going to raise prices!

Answer 1

It's not admirable, but I think it's fair.  It's probably one of the biggest differences between Republicans and Democrats.  In general Republicans are stereotyped as business owners, and wealthier, and Democrats are working-class.  The Democrats have been using the envy and hatred of the working class against the wealthy for ages.  

The thing I find strange about Obama's using that issue is that he made over $4 million last year.  That's hardly "public servant" pay.  

I think you've realized the key issue here is that it's all just a game.  There is no "net" harm done to the big companies, and the costs just go back to the average consumer - so there ends up being no real change.  

Answer 2

Sure it's fair. Just like McCain thinks it is fair to claim that Obama will raise taxes to the middle class.

Gotta fight fire with lazers!

Answer 3

In the Rick Warrent forum the other night, both candidates were asked to give a number for annual income when someone goes from middle class to wealthy.  Obama said at $250,000 or more people were probably doing all right.  McCain said $5,000,000.

Obama objects to tax breaks (including additional tax breaks proposed by McCain) for oil companies who are already making record profits while the US is borrowing money from China to finance the war in Iraq.

Answer 4

Yes, it is unfair, because he is pro-capitalism, and therefore won't really do anything against the wealthy.

Now if he actually DID it, it would be quite fair.  And, in fact, exactly what I, as a socialist, want.

But he is just another big-mouthed liberal, the "soft cop" of American capitalism's hard cop/soft cop act.

Isn't it time American workers were no longer handcuffed to that chair in that back room in the police station?  And got out from under the (nonexistent) mercy of either the Republican "hard cop" or the Democratic "soft cop"?

Answer 5

All is fair in love and politics...

Answer 6

Sure...  

Answer 7

I see your point.  Alas, capitalism isn't fair, or we'd have nothing to worry about.

Oil companies couldn't raise prices if they had competition.  They were given not only record profits, but increased profit margins.  That's what Bush took for them and McCain threatens to continue to take for them.

I agree the windfall profits tax is dumb.  Their subsidies should be taken away and they should meet Mr. Sherman.

Oh, the contemptible middle class.  Let's live in Mex-ica!

Answer 8

"Wealthy envy?"  Both Obama and McCain are politicians and they're both going to say whatever they have to say to get votes.  Most of McCain's voters are middle-class and lower because most Americans are middle class and lower.  Why do people persist in acting like either one of them is completely honest and that either of them are presenting plans that are sounds and completely free of holes?

Answer 9

He has to show them where the money will be coming from.  They hate big oils so much but they want big oils' money too!

Answer 10

Is it fair to give huge tax breaks to corporates, 3% rich people and nothing to hard working middle class ?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...

There are many stupid people who think that people earning more than 40k are rich.

Answer 11

He's just using another card up his sleeve.

Obama has already worn the letters off the Race Card.

The Class Envy Card is just another ploy.

Answer 12

no, he should be encouraging people to find their entrepreneurial nature and make the best of themselves

you can be anything you work hard enough to be, even Frederick Douglass  

Answer 13

I think everyone needs to find out his definition of middle class, because I consider myself middle class and he considers me wealthy. I believe he thinks anybody over $40,000 a year is wealthy and therefore will be taxed much greater than  they are now.