If Obama were a Marxist, what would he believe?

Related to the quote below is Kelly O'Connell's essay at American Thinker. Calling Obama a Marxist is frequently sneered at by leftwing writers. O'Connell asks which of Obama's stated goals and policy desires differentiate him from a true believer?

This article offers the basic teachings of Karl Marx, so readers may judge themselves whether these might be at work influencing current Administration decisions. In the present chaotic political atmosphere, the phrase "Marxist" is tossed around without explanation. But what exactly does Marxism represent? Marx's universe was simplistic. It presents a godless, sinister world where the powerful prey upon the weak, which can only be healed through revolution. In the resulting apocalypse, wealth is confiscated by revolutionaries so all may benefit. Private property is outlawed as enlightened leaders build a paradise of communism. But before utopia arrives, a principled assault must destroy capitalism.

Besides the above classic theory, a new approach, called Neo-Marxism, has arisen. It focuses upon cultural conversions for communism, and produces explosive fruit, such as Political Correctness, the Sexual Revolution, Global Warming, Hate Speech laws, Feminism, Multiculturalism, and Universal Health Care, etc. Critics warn reborn Marxism is exceedingly dangerous since it is delivered below the radar, and represents a devious bloodless communist assault, a polar-opposite of the violently murderous Bolshevik and Mao uprisings.

Mini-Summary: Marxism concerns wealth. God is dead, Darwin rules. The rich steal from the poor. Communist revolution will destroy capitalism, outlawing private property to establish paradise.

The following is a basic overview of some essential aspects of Marxism

Founder: German economist Karl Marx lived from 1818-1883, after the tumultuous Industrial Revolution, when modern business forms coalesced. This period saw much economic growth, yet laws protecting workers did not develop overnight. Many were damaged by unfettered business practice, and Marx reacted angrily to this in influential works like, "Das Kapital" and the "Communist Manifesto."

Terminology: "Marxism" is a synonym for communism, representing the legal outlawing of private property, delivering all goods to the state. Socialism is communism-lite, with government ownership of the creation and sale of goods and services, but private property is allowed. Contra, capitalism allows free economic decisions, sanctifies contracts, and allows accumulation of wealth by legally protecting private property. Societal "classes" designate levels of wealth and power. The term bourgeoisie are the wealthy upper class; whereas proletariat are the poor working class.

Overview: Marxists insist life is only about proper distribution of wealth. Only two classes matter: rich and poor. The poor are pure, but the rich diabolical, since they effectively steal wealth via Capitalism. Marx stated, "Landlords, like all other men, love to reap where they never sowed." The government must redistribute money to the poor, since God doesn't exist to protect mankind. Workers will eventually rise up to overthrow oppressive bosses. Marx said, "The rich will do anything for the poor but get off their backs."

After capitalism collapses, comes then socialism, but only temporarily. Finally communism is established, and all private property abolished. Peace on earth will reign as envy and war disappear when all people have the same status in society. Marx's Communist Manifesto states, "The theory of the Communists may be summed up in a single sentence: Abolition of private property."

Read the rest.