Poll-itics: Reaction to the word "Socialism" edition

By GottaLaff

This is fascinating:

“Socialism” is a negative for most Americans, but certainly not all Americans. “Capitalism” is regarded positively by a majority of the public, though it is a thin majority. There are certain segments of the public – notably, young people and Democrats – where both “isms” are rated about equally. And while most Americans have a negative reaction to the word “militia,” the term is viewed more positively by Republican men than most other groups.

Republican men poll more positively on the word "militia". Why does this not surprise me? I wish they'd polled Tea Baggers separately.

The Pew Research Center breaks it down in a lot more detail. Take a look.

TARP repayments averaging 8.5 percent profit for United States

Funny how we've gotten so deeply into Socialism that we're coming out the other end right smack dab in the middle of Capitalism.

The Treasury Department is booking an 8.5 percent profit on investments in bailed out banks, according to a new survey.

American Express and Goldman Sachs ranked among the top five most profitable investments for taxpayers, according to SNL Financial, a market research firm that released the survey.

(snip)

The Treasury Department said Friday the government had been repaid $181 billion from the program, and predicted that the bailout would be a net profit to taxpayers. The profits stem from early repayments, stock sales, dividends and warrants issued under the bailout.

Here are the five most profitable returns, according to SNL:

1. Centra Financial Holdings - 26.2 percent

2. First ULB Corp - 26 percent

3. American Express - 23.3 percent

4. Goldman Sachs - 20 percent

5. First Manitowoc Bancorp - 19.5 percent

U.S. Treasury says it will begin selling Citi shares at a profit

Sounds just like socialism to me, if I was an uneducated yahoo.

NEW YORK —The Treasury Department said Monday it will begin selling the stake it owns in Citigroup Inc., which could result in a profit of more than $8 billion.

The government received 7.7 billion shares of Citigroup in exchange for $25 billion it gave the bank during the 2008 credit crisis. It said it will sell the shares over the course of this year, depending on market conditions.

Like any investor, the government will likely hold on to its shares if prices fall steeply. However, Citi shares have steadily been rising with the broader market in recent months, which means the Treasury Department stands to pocket a hefty profit.

Citi shares rose 8 cents to $4.39 in early trading Monday. The government would make about $8.8 billion in profit on its stake in Citigroup if it sells the stock for $4.39 a share.

Private business: Yay!! Obama: Booo! at elementary school

By GottaLaff

Remember when President Obama's education speech caused that Big Indoctrination Kerfuffle? I don't know how all those innocent little indoctrinees survived it. I somehow missed all the Stepford kids with glazed-over eyes and blank expressions chanting, "Obama mmm, mmm, MMM!" aimlessly marching in lockstep across America.

Yes, a wholesome speech by our wholesome president about wholesome goals became a negative talking point. However, I betcha you haven't heard Word One about Time Inc.'s fundraising company QSP visiting one of the same schools that fretted over the Indoctrinator in Chief.

Yes, boys and girls, it's time for the annual school fundraiser assembly, "kicking off a couple of weeks of good, capitalist behavior by our country's youngest army of salespeople":

Private employee to captive students: "Who's ready for more prizes?!"

President of the United States to students, many of whom are not allowed to listen:

"I'm here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I'm here because I want to talk with you about your education and what's expected of all of you...."

Private employee: "How many of you would like to get out of school for a show?" (The motivator describes a BMX show that will come to the school for certain sales numbers.) "The top 25 sellers of the school will sit in a special VIP section and get autographs."

President: "But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities."

Private employee: "Who wants to get out of school ... and ride in a limo?! YAY!" The kids scream madly. (Top-selling kids get a lunchtime limo ride to a pizza place.)

President: "[S]how up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents, and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed."

Go read the rest here. Then come on back to Comments and discuss the so-called Values Party.

(The author of the article is Betty Buehler, who has taught sixth-grade writing in Las Vegas since 2001.)

Video Trailer- Michael Moore's 'Capitalism: A Love Story'

Michael Moore's new film: 'Capitalism: A Love Story'

By GottaLaff

Nothing says romance like Wall Street:

Michael Moore's opting to spoof romantic conventions in titling his upcoming documentary "Capitalism: A Love Story," which addresses the causes of the global economic meltdown.

"It will be the perfect date movie," Moore said in an announcement Wednesday. "It's got it all -- lust, passion, romance and 14,000 jobs being eliminated every day. It's a forbidden love, one that dare not speak its name. Heck, let's just say it: It's capitalism." [...]

The film is described as focusing on "the disastrous impact that corporate dominance and out-of-control profit motives have on the lives of Americans and citizens of the world."

Don'tcha love a good chick flick?

The release date is October 2.

Just 53% Say Capitalism Better Than Socialism

Oh man, there's going to be some heads a'sploding over this one. Rasmussen even.

Only 53% of American adults believe capitalism is better than socialism.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 20% disagree and say socialism is better. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure which is better.

Adults under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided. Thirty-somethings are a bit more supportive of the free-enterprise approach with 49% for capitalism and 26% for socialism. Adults over 40 strongly favor capitalism, and just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better.

Investors by a 5-to-1 margin choose capitalism. As for those who do not invest, 40% say capitalism is better while 25% prefer socialism.

There is a partisan gap as well. Republicans - by an 11-to-1 margin - favor capitalism. Democrats are much more closely divided: Just 39% say capitalism is better while 30% prefer socialism. As for those not affiliated with either major political party, 48% say capitalism is best, and 21% opt for socialism.