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The ‘Dreams’ of Obama’s Father: Socialism and 100 percent taxation

I had long put off the research and reading of the long last article that Barack Obama Sr. penned back in the 1960’s. The article was published in the ‘East Africa Journal’ in 1965, the year after Kenyan President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta took power and the country declared independence from British rule.

Read the article titled “Problems Facing Our Socialism” in which his weak term “African Socialism” is analyzed against the challenges of the Obama Sr.’s time and yields to communism (i.e. scientific socialism)

For example:

“…the African is fundamentally based on communal ownership of major means of production and sharing of the fruits of the labours, so expended in production, to the benefit of all…(contrast to) land title deeds and private ownership of land – a major means of production. How do these two conflicting factors reconcile?”

Of course, Obama becomes more straightforward in support of the government control and socialism:

“…must these land titles and registrations be done on individual ownership? Does it mean that the co-operatives cannot be registered or that what is owned is common cannot have deeds?”

“If one were to suppose that the state is an instrument of society and if the society regards growth as well as the correction of the lopsided development”…”then the society through the government, which is its instrument, should enforce means by which this growth and change can be brought about.”

So Barack Obama Sr. is writing to mobilize Africans to push for communal property rights, fight against privatizing land ownership and using government as a tool to ensure equalization.

Socialism.

But to what extent.

“…there is no limit to taxation if the benefits derived from public services by society measure up to the cost in taxation which they have to pay”  and that, “Theoretically, there is nothing that can stop the government from taxing 100% of income so long as the people get benefits from the government commensurate with their income which is taxed.”

Some of Barack Obama Sr’s comments sound like sound bites from Washington:

  • To say that per capita incomes are low is a thing that any man can see
  • We are short of domestic capital because of the low rate of saving is tautology
  • The reasons are that the majority of the populace have such a low per capita income is that it is almost impossible for them to save
  • Training must be expanded so that our already qualified manpower can gain the experience to participate fully in advanced development
  • How are we going to encourage tourism and on a wide basis if we make it too expensive for the middle class people?

Barack Obama Senior’s words…not mine…not his son’s.

As I read this, I wondered if I would find a suggested Stimulus Bill or nationalized health care. Our President indeed is fulfilling the “Dreams of his Father” as we’ve heard him echo his Dad:

“What is more important is to find means by which we can redistribute our economic gains to the benefit of all and at the same time be able to channel some of these gains to future productions” – Barack Obama Sr.

“It’s not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they’ve got a chance at success, too… My attitude is that if the economy’s good for folks from the bottom up, it’s gonna be good for everybody… and I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” – President Obama on the campaign trail, giving the Joe the Plumber response

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

“Hope and Change” can seem a whole lot different when looking through a different lens. 100% taxation, the loss of private property and government interventionism doesn’t seem like a far fetched conspiracy theory but rather the fulfillment of a dream.

Possibly the dream of a father.

STATE OF THE NATION – ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The “State of the Nation” column by Brandon Jones began on a website called Crazed Fanboy to discuss topics that the regular media were not reporting or barely discussed. While there was a strong political tone, there were no limits to topics or arenas discussed.

As the relationship with Crazed Fanboy deteriorated, the partnership between Robert Herriman (author “Insights”) and the Brian strengthen to for the current “Desk of Brian”.

Just as we have John Does or Average Joes, we created the “Regular Guy” approach to sorting through the news, adding our own commentary and opinions, fused with contributors from all over the globe.

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About the Author

- Writer and Co-Founder of The Global Dispatch, Brandon has been covering news, offering commentary for years, beginning professionally in 2003 on Crazed Fanboy before expanding into other blogs and sites. Appearing on several radio shows, Brandon has hosted Dispatch Radio, written his first novel (The Rise of the Templar) and completed the three years Global University program in Ministerial Studies to be a pastor. To Contact Brandon email [email protected] ATTN: BRANDON

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