>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Well put.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The news yesterday said that the markets have not lost this much after a new president has taken office in over 90 years. But Obama has made it pretty clear that he hates Wall Street, so this really shouldn't come as any surprise.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>lol
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>Dow heading for huge one-day gain - must be the effects of the new president ... :0
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>And as they chant at Football grounds "Its all gone quiet over there"
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>I don't expect the silence to continue. The whining is going to go on for 4 years or 8 years, no matter what Obama does.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>I expect he'll just carry on manipulating the stock market on a day to day or even minute to minute basis. (probably for personal gain so he can invest in left wing groups seeking to overthrow the USA)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Yeah, he is trying to turn them into something as bad, socialist and as uncivilised as Europe! Darn, somebody better stop him!
>>>>>>>>We have to stand up and fight, for our right - to gauge DowJones index and property prices as we want ! {g}
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>"Socialist" seems to be the current epithet of choice among American conservatives.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Some of us have been using it for years...if the shoe fits and all.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>You wonder how much they understand about European socialism.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Can't speak for others, but for myself I understand enough to know that I despise the entire concept as it goes against everything history has taught us about drive, ambition and the ability to achieve.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Some of those countries are doing better than we are by about any measure.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I'll bite. Name some European countries that are doing better than America by about any measure.
>>>>>
>>>>>Take your pick of the Scandinavian countries for starters.
>>>>
>>>>Very difficult I think to measure this really. Quality of life, GDP , health care, defence budget, gun ownership to name a few. Almost impossible to come up with a measure everyone would agree with.
>>>>
>>>>But I would say that when the loony right describe Obama as a socialist. Well they have no idea what socialism is.
>>>
>>>Does it imply that you know? Is your country socialist or not?
>>
>>I live in only European country that have COMMUNIST PRESIDENT!
>>I did not vote for him, but guess what, he ended up being good !
>>
>>How do ya like theeese apples {vbg}
>
>Are you sure that you answered my question?

Depend what answer you were expectng to receive.
Just like US since very long time (as in medicare), every country in Europe has 'socialist' elements as part of government policies.
Some more some less, but everybody practices some degree of it. Afaik UK had quiet extensive social programs aimed at
helping various categories of people in need (and yes some of those programs are abused!) but this
have nothing to do with country constitution or political direction. It is more of a regular political / budget issue.

There is whole host of political parties throughout Europe that have 'Socialist' elements in their program orientations
weather they are called Social-Democrats or Liberal Democrats, Labourists, or more explicitely if you don't mind word
Communist parties (Good bless my 'communist' President Christofias!). But none of them is trying to
bring back goulags, enslave people etc. They are normal and modern political parties, kind I would dare to say
you lack there.

Point is, whole world moved mentally away from even considering 'Socialist' as something bad or retroactive.
US is perhaps only place in the whole world, where you can still hear this word used in negative context.
Perhaps it is time to lay McCarthy to rest. This is 21st century.