"Socialist" McCain "Spreads The Wealth"

It's simply amazing to me that not one of our enterprising journalists have bothered to bring this up.

For all the ranting and raving about Senator Obama having "socialist" plans, and wanting to "spread the wealth," not one person has raised the fact that this is exactly what Senator McCain has proposed with his health care plan.

You know, the cockamamie idea that a $5000 tax rebate sent to insurance companies, per family, to provide insurance. Leaving aside the fact that this plan won't help people get coverage, and may risk their employer-based insurance, this plan is "spreading the wealth."

Let's use an actual Joe the Plumber as an example. Let's say that after deductions and all of that, a regular Joe and his stay-at-home wife pay $4000 in Federal taxes. Yet, his family is getting $5000 from the government for health insurance. He's getting more than he put in! Where's that extra $1000 coming from?

Bill the Doctor. Jimmy the broker. Maria the grocery store owner. Those people who are putting more into the Federal government than they'd get back.

I'd like, just once, for someone to ask a McCain representative - yes or no - is this spreading the wealth, by McCain's definition? Don't let them wiggle out of it by going into Obama's health care plan - that's not the issue. The issue is, if "spreading the wealth" is so bad, if it is the basis of socialism, then why the heck is John McCain proposing it, as a cornerstone of his entire campaign?!

Of course, I won't hold my breath. But, the fact is, even if McCain's plan is an ineffective plan to "spread the wealth," it's still a plan to "spread the wealth."

UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal has broached this issue, here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122454768040352279.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Comments

[MrSkeptical]

There's an story going around about how a conservative supposedly didn't tip their Obama supporting waitress and instead decided to spread the wealth around and gave the $10 tip to the homeless guy outside. This story scares me because it could actually resonate with people more inclined to fear than hope. If one bothers to think about the analogy it's flaws should be immediately obvious however.

Waiters and waitresses don't make much of an hourly wage as most people know. Tipping is a way to make up for their hard work and low pay. Obama's middle class tax cut is like tipping the hard workers, the middle class, for a job well done. When the service is good we tip the waitress, NOT the CEO of Denny's! Does anyone really think that by tipping the waiter and not the CEO we're gonna punish that CEO or make anyone less likely to work hard? Ridiculous! Keep tipping your waitress! Don't let McCain make the waiter split her tip with the CEOs!

[BOFOREVER]

I don't understand all the concern about this. Theres nothing wrong with Socialism anyway.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (Acts 2:44-45).
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. (Acts 4:34-35)

It's the Christian way. If McCain was a REAL Christian like Barack, he would read the bible and know the answer. Barack is a REAL Christian and this is the Christian way!

[BOFOREVER]

We need a new way of thinking in the US. I heard something that makes me feel much better about how we need to run this country. From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. Barack will put those to work who can and help out those who need more help. He has my vote.

[MikeElPaso]

There’s an interesting way to look at the “share the wealth” idea. Yes, entrepreneurs are driven people and are the ones create jobs. I’m thankful that there are and have been individuals that have made it possible for the rest of us to earn a living in the businesses that they have created. But it’s also important to remember that they are planting seeds in fertile ground. Ground made fertile by every single one of us that have labored and made a contribution, no matter how small. Try being an entrepreneur in a lesser developed country, one with much less infrastructure. One where processing the simplest documentation can take days. I have worked in such a country for thirty years and have seen how much more difficult it is for anyone to succeed in the way that it is possible in our country. Should some get more rewards than others? Of course. But give credit were credit is due; we have all contributed to the successes of our country.

[hellenhat]

And, I don't understand why no one has brought up the fact that he wants banks to buy up the "toxic" mortgages at face value

And, let' not forget that John McCain has been on the public dole since the day he was born......tax payer funded health care for the military, including his birth. Taxpayer salary in the military, tax payers paid for the 3 jets he crashed, tax payers pay his military disability and tax payers pay his Senate salary along with this health care.

Why is this not brought up when he is ranting about paying more taxes........the payment of progressive taxes is the biggest shift of wealth in this country and has been a cornerstone of how we raise money,.....how does he propose to pay for anything if we do not take from one to pay for another?

The truly wealthy have not said one thing about more taxes......it is the people that McCain has lied to and convinced that their less than $250,000 income is perfectly safe.

God, I will be glad when this is over and Obama and Biden can actually make America "good" again.

[4real]

I guess it's okay to spread the wealth to Iraq, Saudi Arabia and China but in America not so good.

[nell2]

I'm not sure this is an accurate analysis of how McCain's tax credit health plan works. First, the individual tax credit is $2,500, not $5,000. Second, I understand that an individual gets "up to" a $2,500 credit. That amount is a direct credit against health benefits. For example, if an individual spends $3,000 on health insurance, that person will get a $2,500 credit on the tax return. If an individual spends only $2,000, that person will get only $2,000, not the full $2,500. In order to get the credit, you must spend at least as much on health insurance, or if your employer provides insurance, you get only the amount your employer provides to you, which benefit will be taxed. So the individuals (or families) who take advantage of the credit are getting their own money back in the form of tax credits (or credit against the health benefit tax), they aren't getting more than they have spent.

[Eric Schmeltzer - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for reading. I was unclear before and clarified in the example I used. thanks for pointing that out. I also updated, the Wall Street Journal examines the point I make, and agrees that this would amount to "spreading the wealth."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122454768040352279.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[martinchill]

mccain is pro war.

there's no better example of redistribution of wealth than unnecessary war.