McCain was for "socialism" too - before he was against it

John McCain and Sarah Palin have branded Barack Obama as a socialist because he wants to raise taxes by 3% on income earned over $250,000. Obama's argument is that wealthier people can afford to pay a little more. McCain, ever the hypocrite, made a nearly identical argument when he was running for president in 2000 - before he sold his soul to the right-wing conservative base. During a town hall meeting in East Lansing, Michigan on Oct. 12, 2000, McCain was asked by a young girl why her father should have to pay more taxes because he was successful. She asked, "How is that fair?" McCain responded:

"I think to some degree because we feel obviously that wealthy people can afford more. So look, here's what I really believe. That when you are, you reach a certain level of comfort, there's nothing wrong with paying somewhat more. And frankly, I think the first people who deserve a tax cut are working American's with children that need to educate their children; and they're the ones that I will support tax cuts for first."

That sure sounds like Obama's plan, which is to cut taxes for 95% of working American families, only now, in McCain's twisted reasoning, that's called socialism.

McCain conveniently has a very short memory (or senility has set in) because he only remembers his previous positions on issues when it fits his current political incarnation - which is pretty rare these days.