Socialism is Not the Problem

Bill Maher is a really funny guy. So funny sometimes that you might overlook just how smart he is. It's impossible to overlook what a committed and outspoken progressive he is. What Maher does is the best cutting edge political satire around, and he doesn't spare anyone or mince words. Take this piece, for example. How true is this:

"How about this for a New Rule: Not everything in America has to make a profit. It used to be that there were some services and institutions so vital to our nation that they were exempt from market pressures. Some things we just didn't do for money. The United States always defined capitalism, but it didn't used to define us. But now it's becoming all that we are."

Exactly. How many times have you found yourself saying, "It's all about money"? Or some variation on the theme we all know so well.  Maher is just putting it starkly and humorously. Everything's for sale. Everything is measured by money. It's a truly vacant way to live. Contractors we pay billions to do the same thing the military used to do for itself: like cook and clean. Corporations running prisons. Corporations running health care.

Maher doesn't have much  use for Obama's health plan. Like many of us, he's disgusted with what the corporations are getting out it.

"When did the profit motive become the only reason to do anything? When did that become the new patriotism? Ask not what you could do for your country, ask what's in it for Blue Cross/Blue Shield. If conservatives get to call universal health care 'socialized medicine,' I get to call private health care 'soulless vampires making money off human pain.' The problem with President Obama's health care plan isn't socialism, it's capitalism.

Amen, brother.