President Obama signed an order on Wednesday proclaiming that the entire federal government should be more open, transparent, and Internet-friendly. It said that agencies must “put information about their operations and decisions online and readily available to the public.”

As someone who gets most of my information off the internet, I applaude this move.

Obama Hater: I don’t like Barak Obama.

Me: Why?

Obama Hater: He’s a socialist.

Me: What’s socialism? (I ask this because I usually think the person really doesn’t know)

Obama Hater: Redistribution of wealth. (If they have an answer, this is it)

Me: What’s wrong with that?

I’ve had this conversation multiple times in the last 6 months, and I’ve never gotten a real answer to my last question, just cries of “Are you serious?” or “You’ve got to be kidding!” save for once, when the person had a legitimate well thought-out response.

I don’t think Barak Obama is a socialist, and I’m not arguing for a socialist government (although I’m sure some will miss that point) but I do think we should put more thought into the subject than the rhetoric I hear every time I have this conversation.

Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
socialism
noun [U]
the set of beliefs which states that all people are equal and should share equally in the wealth of the country, or the political systems based on these beliefs

Acts 2:44 All the Lord’s followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. 45 They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it.

Acts 4:32 The group of followers all felt the same way about everything. None of them claimed that their possessions were their own, and they shared everything they had with each other. 33 In a powerful way the apostles told everyone that the Lord Jesus was now alive. God greatly blessed his followers, 34 and no one went in need of anything. Everyone who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money 35 to the apostles. Then they would give the money to anyone who needed it.