Like everyone else in this political season, I have been receiving a lot mail from the candidates. I recently read an appeal from the Obama campaign for contributions in which Sen. Obama states that we should build an economy ... that rewards not just wealth, but work and the workers who create it.

At first glance, this statement appears to be standard Democratic fare intended to recognize labor union interests. However, the recent reporting on Obamas exchange with Joe the Plumber, where Obama asserted that it would be a good thing for the government to increase Joes taxes and spread the wealth, was perhaps more revealing of the senators true intentions. Apparently, when Joe, a worker by anyones definition, becomes the owner of his own small business, he moves into the category of the rich and becomes subject to Obamas wealth redistribution scheme. So much for Joes pursuit of the American Dream.

I do not know how much Obamas economic views have been influenced by Marxist theory, but he certainly seems to favor an approach along the lines of from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs (as determined by the government).

Given that it has only been 19 years since the demise of the socialist governments of Central and Eastern Europe, it is alarming that an economic approach already proven to be a failure is being adopted by a candidate for president of the United States. It is possible, of course, that Obama and his Democratic allies in the congressional leadership are cynically engaging in economic class warfare simply as a means to increase the Democratic Partys hold on political power.

However, if they really intend to change the way our economy functions along state-controlled lines, the American people, of all economic classes, will be in for a rude awakening. State control of the economy and the encouragement of economic class warfare by the political leadership lead to economic stagnation. Moreover, a government which assumes the role of arbitrator of what constitutes a fair distribution of wealth will inevitably become corrupt. Anyone harboring doubts along these lines need only do some research on the relationships between Congressman Frank, Sen. Dodd, Franklin Raines and Tim Johnson with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Given the current disruptions in our economy and the irresponsible actions taken by some in both the private sector and the government, it is easy to understand the popular appeal of calls for greater government control of our economic system. However, independent voters, and even centrist Democrats who are looking for a return to the policies of the Clinton years, need to take a hard look at what Obama is really saying and how a Congress with large Democratic majorities under the control of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are likely to impact the way our economy operates. I am hopeful that a majority of Americans will in the end reject policies that are centered on penalizing the rich as both counterproductive in economic terms and antithetical to Americas history of entrepreneurship and freedom.

-- Ronald Shattuck, Bamberg

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