United Liberty

While closing a speech in 1998 at Loyola University, Barack Obama, then a state senator in Illinois, spoke against the “propaganda campaign against the possibility of government action.” Though Obama noted that “some of it has been deserved,” but further explained his desire to see government “pool resources and hence facilitate some redistribution, because I actually believe in redistribution, at least at a certain level to make sure that everbody’s got a shot.”

Here’s the audio:

This isn’t surprising. During a 2008 campaign stop, where he was questioned about his tax plan by “Joe the Plumber,” Obama did exactly hid from his belief in redistribution, saying, “[W]hen you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” That actually sounds worse than what Obama said in the audio above, at least from my perspective.

It’s actually pretty consistent with what Obama says today, as far as it goes. It’s more direct, as was his comment to Joe the Plumber, but it doesn’t really provide any new fodder for those of us that reject his economic agenda. Sure, it’s another reminder that Obama wants more from higher-income earners, using it under the guise of “opportunity” or making them pay their fair share.” Nevermind that those taxpayers have seen their share of the tax burden steadily rise over the years to the point that the top 20% pay nearly 70% of all income taxes.

Obama believes in wealth redistribution and likes government. After eight years of him being on the political scene (since the 2004 Democratic National Convention), with all of his speeches and rhetorical, everyone should have had this figured out.