Yeah, Marxist is a bit of a strong word these days, at least it is in the states. I guess over in Europe the word doesn't have as much of a sting to it (I read somewhere that something like 25% of Europeans list Karl Marx as one of the great Philosophers who ever lived). When most educated Americans think "Marxist" they think of troops marching through the streets in Soviet styled May Day parades. In America, Soviet = Not Cool.
The political right in the states are trying to brand President Obama as a Marxist which I think is a huge mistake because, first of all, it makes us (I'm a member of the American Right) look like extremists and crazy. And secondly, most Americans think Karl Marx was one of the Marx Brothers, 'wasn't he the one with the big nose, glasses, mustach smoking the cigar?' Yes, Paul and Errik, unfortunately we've dumbed downed our fine institutes of higher learning in-step with Europe. FDR was more of a Marxist than Obama could ever hope to be. Obama's econolmic advisors are all from the John Manard Keynes school of economics which is basically run the government credit card all the way to the limit and beyond, sink it all in a slot machine and pull the arm. To hell with deficits, debt and inflation. By expanding government well beyond it's seams and going on a spending binge we will create demand which, in turn, will get business back to hiring again. Oh and let's do a psuedo nationalized health care while we're at it.
It didn't work for FDR and it won't work for Obama. The problem is that businesses know that at some point somebody is going to have to pay the piper and they fear, rightfully so, that it will be them. So instead of hiring they are hording. They'll need that money for the big tax hits that are around the corner to pay for the out-of-control spending and health care regulations for their current employees.
I'm not sure why my fellow American conservatives are so worried. No president in history, except FDR, has ever been re-elected with a 9.2% unemployment rate. Reagan was re-elected with a 7% unemployment but that was because he lowered it from 15% in 1984. We could dig Reagan up out of the ground right now, run him again, and we'll still win.
You'll have to forgive me all as I'm a little tipsy right now and just couldn't resist replying to this thread yet again. If I've insulted any fans of the late "Great" Karl Marx my appologies.
If I've insulted any fans of Groucho Marx, for that matter, my deepest appologies to you as well. Actually I always thought he was a funny guy.
PS Have a nice day.