What Barack Obama is telling us.

I don't trust the capitalist system. Especially American-style capitalism. I want at least a little bit of socialism mixed in. I want everybody guaranteed the basic necessities of life. I want the common good served. Oh, if the capitalists want to get rich, that's all right. But maybe not filthy and obscenely rich. There ought to be a limit. A distribution of wealth in such a way that we eliminate abject poverty. Everybody should be guaranteed a liveable income. Nobody should be destitute. There's a societal obligation/responsibility to see to it. And that's where government should step in. To see that it happens. Because it won't happen if we leave it up to private sector capitalists. Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark have set good examples for us already. A nation can have a good blend of democratic socialism and capitalism. No need in these countries to spend huge sums on national defense. Instead, the money can be channeled into the public good. In making for the good life for all of its citizens. Guaranteed health care. Guaranteed education. A safety net for everyone. We can do it in the U.S, too. With a little bit of change. I think that's what Barack Obama is telling us. --Jim Broede