Reply #65: IMHO Galbraith

[DemocratSinceBirth]

was a welfare state liberal or a garden variety liberal or a democratic socialist. Kind of like Ted Kennedy but "socialism" has such a negative connotation in American politics I would not like Ted Kennedy tagged with that label.

I'm sure you know that John Kennedy Galbraith was the ambassador to India during the Kennedy administration. JFK used to tease him about having a socialist in his administration. He also tutored Ted Kennedy about economics in 1962 when he was recuperating from a plane accident. It was Birch Bayh, father of current senator Evan Bayh who saved his life... Small world.

I read something interesting on this board and I'll paraphrase it. Those on the right call Medicare and Social Security socialist cuz they don't like it and folks on the left also call it socialism because they do like it and offer it as examples of socialist programs that work.

Medicare, Medicaid, WIC, food stamps, AFDC imho are just part of the mixed economy that we have.


btw-I'm not an economic absolutist. I am not 100% in any economic camp.