I am not a socialist... I just thought I'd get that out of the way right up front. I'll admit that I believe in a progressive tax system (as well as a few other liberal ideas); and that's typically enough to get labelled a socialist these days. Personally, I think that this kind of assigning of labels is one of the greatest problems facing America today. Right now in America there is an attitude of us verses them; both Republicans and Democrats are guilty of increasing the severity of this division.
Both ends of the spectrum have had their own grassroots movements; first the Tea Party activists protesting perceived over-taxation and government excesses, then the Occupy activists protesting what they see as the corrupting influence of money in American politics, as well as political policies that they believe are increasing social inequality. This, along with historically low approval ratings for congress, illustrate the turmoil and general dissatisfaction of Americans regarding the current political situation. I think that this, more than any policies that either side have proposed or implemented, is the most harmful thing to American prosperity. One of the most important things that are necessary for businesses to succeed is a politically stable atmosphere; petty squabbling between the parties has recently prevented that atmosphere.
