There’s always something to howl about.

Why do Liberals and Progressives in America deny their beliefs?

While reading Jeff’s post asking about how people can justify theft from others in the name of government, I was most stricken by the absolute denial from those who defended more and more taxation have over their own beliefs.  Even though they clearly support socialism, and can put forward tales of great woe over why they believe socialism is needed, nowhere would they agree that what they espouse is socialism.

Sure, socialism has been demonized by conservatives over the years.  But does that surprise you?  Socialism is the opposite of what many conservatives profess to be.  Yet, socialists, most of whom prefer to be called liberals, just can’t admit that they support theft by government force.  None of the liberals who commented would admit they believed “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need.”  They just don’t go there.

People are full of these contradictions.  Warren Buffet was mentioned as an example in the comments of Jeff’s post, about his supposed concern about paying less in taxes than his secretary.  Yet, this same Warren Buffet has been fighting against paying taxes he legally owes for years!  What is that all about if he supports more taxation so much?

In the video above, Bill Maher, calls out Americans on what he calls their secret love of socialism.  In the video Bill Maher says “It’s time to stop fighting it and just come out of the closet, and the group I’m talking about is the American public and the love they’re denying is their love of socialism. Now I know that there are few words in America more toxic than socialist, and these days big government spending is about as popular as Casey Anthony at a Chucky Cheese. Yes, Americans say they hate socialism but when it comes to Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, corporate welfare, bailouts, and farm subsidies, what we really say to socialism is I can’t quit you.”

He goes on from there.  In this case, I agree with Bill Maher.

Certainly there is a disconnect between what many Americans say versus what they actually support.  Liberals seem happy to point out that they want to use money confiscated through taxes to pay to take care of the poor, the elderly and for education.  They are happy to point out that these socialistic programs pay for medical care, environmental regulation, and protection to make sure consumers have protections from their own decisions.  So, if these socialist programs are so great, why can’t folks just admit, what they support is socialism?  It should be a badge of pride if you believe it is really morally correct to confiscate money from some for the benefit of others.  The story is really Robin Hood, right?  The difference is the people that the money is being stolen from may not be evil rulers, they just might be your hardworking neighbors.  But what difference does that really make?  Liberals, including those who now prefer to be called progressives, are really just socialists, so why can’t they just admit it?