Business

Soros ‘Supposes’ He‘s One of Lenin’s ‘Useful Idiots’

Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:13pm by Becket Adams
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While in Davos for the World Economic Forum, billionaire currency speculator and philanthropist George Soros took the time to sit down for a Reuters’ interview with Chrystia Freeland.

During the interview, Soros explains why there wouldn’t be much difference for Wall Street between President Obama and Mitt Romney. He also tells Chrystia Freeland why his billionaire counterparts see him as a “traitor to his class.”

“You were a very early supporter of President Barack Obama. What report card do you give him now?” Freeland asks.

“I think I’m not the only one who’s been slightly disappointed and I continue to support him, actually, in view of the alternative,” Soros replies.

“The Republicans or any particular Republican?”

“Well, look, either you’ll have an extremist conservative — be it Gingrich or Santorum — in which case I think it would make a big difference which of the two comes in,” Soros said.

“If it’s between Obama and Romney, there is all that much difference – except for the crowd that they bring with them. Romney would have to take Gingrich or Santorum as a Vice President and you’ll probably have some pretty extreme candidates for the Supreme Court. So that’s the downside.”

“And the other side, the Obama administration, is a bit exhausted, so it’s not all that strong. So it won’t be that great a difference and I think there won’t be a great deal of enthusiasm on either side of the battleground. It’ll be more civilized than the previous elections have been.”

“Or,” Soros adds, “you’ll have an extremist candidate then I think there’ll be a lot of emotion on both sides.”

The conversation then turns from discussing the possible Republican presidential nominee, to what Freeland believes is the major difference between former governor Romney and President Obama: the taxation of the “one percent.”

“That is the big difference,” Soros says, “And that has led my hedge fund community to abandon Obama in favor of any Republican because they don’t like to be taxed. I personally believe that when it comes to policy, you shouldn’t be pursuing self-interest, but the public interest. And I think that the income differentials are too wide and ought to be narrowed.”

“Are you one of Lenin’s ‘useful idiots’ in the view of your fellow hedge fund billionaires to be making this sort of argument?” Freeland asked.

“Well, I suppose so,” Soros says with a smile. “I’m a traitor to my class”

See the ReutersTV interview:

Two points should be made:

First, the term “useful idiot,” as Freeland notes, is commonly attributed to the Communist dictator Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. It’s normally used to describe Communist sympathizers in the West: “useful” because they advance Communist ideology, “idiots” because they contribute to their own downfall.

Did Freeland just accuse George Soros of sympathizing with Communist ideology — and he agreed?

Secondly, many critics doubt the sincerity of Soros’ “concern” with “income inequality.” In fact, conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh claims that it’s all part of a self-preserving façade:

“Why? Why are all these rich guys all of a sudden so liberal? Buffett, Gates.” Folks, there’s a simple answer: The filthy rich will SAY they are liberal — they will do things in public that reflect that they might be liberal — to keep the peasants with the pitchforks away from ‘em.

It’s all a game! Have you ever heard of a family called the Kennedys? Have you ever heard of a family called the Rockefellers? Every filthy rich individual or family must spout, support, do (in public) liberal stuff. It is how they convince people that their wealth is justified and is untouchable. It is a protection mechanism. It is to keep the Occupy Wall Street crowd off of their front yards and instead on the front yards of people that work at AIG. That’s all it is. And these filthy rich people who claim publicly and do in public liberal things are simply engaged in 100% acts of public relations. It accomplishes two things. It keeps the hordes away from you.

When the president comes up and suggests that the rich aren’t paying their fair share, they never say it about Buffett. Why? ‘Cause he says it about himself. “Yeah, Warren Buffett, he gets it! That’s absolutely right. Bill Gates, he gets it.” So, they’re left alone. The hordes, the peasants with the pitchforks never seek them out. The second thing that happens is that in many cases they end up being loved for it. The Kennedys were loved because it was thought that all they cared about was the poor, and the Kennedys never used their own money to fix any of this stuff. No liberal ever does. They always use everybody else’s. But that’s why they do this stuff. It’s pure public relations. It also justifies earning more. All you have to do is say, “I’m not paying enough!”

(H/T: The Atlantic Wire)

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Comments (138)

Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:03pm
Soros thinks Gingrich AND Santorum are extremist conservatives? What does Glenn think of THIS?
Soros says Obama and Romney would be (are) the same? That’s kind of what the MSM has been saying, in a roundabout kind of way.
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- CatB
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:16pm
  I was at a Santorum rally this week .. if following the Constitution and personal responsibility are extreme then I think he would take that extremist label with honor.
  
  OMG .. Obama must go 2012
  
  Santorum 2012!
  Report Post »
- RejectFalseIcons
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:52pm
  He’s pushing the window left. If Santorum, who is basically a ted kennedy “devout leftist” becomes the right side of the argument, then people more conservative than he or Comrade Gingritch become “ultra right wing” and therefore extremist. It’s all about controlling the narrative through connotation.
  Report Post »
- Ruler4You
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:05pm
  IMHBLO, ‘consulting’ with this A H is like negotiating with the terrorists.
  
  He has an open agenda to destroy this economy (and there fore the establishment geopolitical infrastructure) and the MSM is enabling him! Right in front of our own eyes! Yet, crickets.
  Report Post »
- The_Jerk
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:47pm
  Soros is the prototypical Shylock money-changer. Every time has theirs. He’s ours.
- techengineer11
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:18pm
  CatB
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:16pm
  I was at a Santorum rally this week .. if following the Constitution and personal responsibility are extreme then I think he would take that extremist label with honor.
  
  OMG .. Obama must go 2012
  
  Santorum 2012!
  
  Ha! This guy has supported every big gov‘t program that has come along the past 10 years and he’s never seen an Arab country he didn’t desire to bomb for Israel even if it does cost us 4 Trillion dollars, blood and limbs… Hey afterall they’re definitely not his kids limbs right? So why in the hell does Rick, Newt, Mitt, or Obama really give a damn?? They don’t!
  
  I sincerely hope that War comes to the homes of something these pathetic hypocritical phony Christians homes some day so they will have the pleasure of experiencing their Wars which they love and advocate for so much.
  
  Hell it‘s nice to drop bombs on others while we about our daily lives isn’t it Christians? Then you have the gaul to boo Dr. Ron Paul when he suggests you consider the Golden Rule at one of the debates? lol
  You are a disgusting undeserving group of people if there ever was one!
  Report Post »
- Twinspeedr
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 5:24pm
  Give me a break, Soros is at the head of the snake, he’s is no dupe. He is always trying to play the victim to misdirect. Soros will do anything to deceive the world into thinking he’s just that lowly, harmless billionaire philanthropist…
  
  Why are all you nasty Tea Partiers picking on poor Georgie Pooh?!
  
  It’s the “Occupiers” and the “Tahrir Square Rapists” that are Soros’ “Useful Idiots” in this charade!!!
  Report Post »
- justangry
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 6:08pm
  @Catb I’ve been softening up a bit on Santorum based on the type of justices he said he would appoint. (Which I’m not allowed to discuss again) Anyway, help me out here. Tell me how you can say that Santorum stands by the constitution when he voted for the Patriot Act.
  Report Post »
- Candertwin
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 6:20pm
  Haha. I am laughing at what Techengineer11 wrote. It is such a Christian point of view, and yet he is condemning Christians. I find it ironic. I like Ron Paul on many things, but those Islamists WILL kill you whether the US was meddling in their affairs or not. Anything for a show, bloodbath of infidels, and what does your life matter to them? Be careful of projecting our Judeo-Christian culture and our value of human life on their culture. They don’t share our values of human life.
  Report Post »
- Spyder
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 6:47pm
  Simple smoke and mirrors to make the sheep believe that he is on their side so that they’ll go after other wealthy people and leave him alone.
  
  “We will not forget who you are and what you represent, Soros. You’ll get your share of torches and pitchforks too when SHTF.” Expect us!
  Report Post »
- carbonyes
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:23pm
  Soros don’t have too many days left on this planet. His sorry butt will be heading for Hell. Now he doesn’t believe in Hell, but guess what George, there is a Hell, and you are not going to like it there. In fact, you’re going to be a bit uncomfortable there. How do you like your air temp, 72 degrees? Sorry, it’s at least 2000 degrees. A little too warm for you? Well you should have thought about it while you are on this side of the grass, before you sold your soul to the devil. Snookered you didn’t he? Oh well, that’s life, and it’s rapidly running out for you. I‘d say you’re goose is cooked. Actually, the Bible says that.
  Report Post »
- Hollywood
  Posted on March 28, 2012 at 4:10pm
  Let us see now. Opinions from a self hating/denying Jew, who collaborated with Nazis, to seize fellow Jews property in his native Hungary. THAT George Soros? Of course his opinions matter, as do his father’s. That’d be satan!
  Report Post »
olddog
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:03pm
A traitor to his class, as far as I’m concerned soros has no class, heart, or conscience. Evil is Evil..
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- CatB
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:14pm
  “Useful idiot” for the Devil .. that is what Soros is … EVIL through and through
  Report Post »
- NHwinter
  Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:55am
  “I personally believe that when it comes to policy, you shouldn’t be pursuing self-interest, but the public interest. And I think that the income differentials are too wide and ought to be narrowed.”
  
  Is there anyone who pursues self-interest more than Soros!!! He will sell out America for his own profit just like he has with other countries. He has billions. Has he helped the poor? Or is he stock piling his gold for the great downfall and NWO that he loves. This man is pure evil.
  Report Post »
- Jase
  Posted on February 13, 2012 at 1:35pm
  Let’s not forget that Soros was a useful idiot for Hitler as a boy as he turned in his fellow jews, seems he started on his evil path at a very young age.
  Report Post »
momsense
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:02pm
He’s the worst sort of uselful idiot–a breeder !
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- MYHEROISRON
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:09pm
  A traitor to your class? YOU HAVE NO CLASS!! Soros, yer a traitor to the people of America and the world! Do us a favor and die …
  Report Post »
cja23
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:00pm
What more proof do you need America that Obama is a Marxist, when Obama has a staunch supporter/doner like Soros. How many times has he visited the WH? How much money did he contribute to Obama/Soros Occupy. Anyone that thinks Obama is not a “radical” liberal doesn’t want to know the truth about him.
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independentvoteril
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:00pm
I have to say that he is telling the truth on the RICH.. as long as you act like you care say the right things you get NO blowback.. look at Micheal Moore.. and all the other Hollywood types.. I will be laughing when the OWS types put down the pot and WAKE UP to find out they were had…
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- ThomasBombadillo
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:21pm
  Actually, you‘re giving Soros credit that he doesn’t deserve. The long quote at the end of the article explaining why some rich people claim to be liberals was from Rush Limbaugh, not Soros. Soros would never admit that.
  Report Post »
bernbart
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:00pm
Bizarre headline considering Linen has been dead for decades and Soros is wealthy capitalist.
Of course Soros is wrong… the enthusiasm for Obama is is very strong from the grassroots, and Obama has raised more money from individual donors which translates into more votes, while republicans are depending on their own money or donations from one or two wealthy persons which does not translate into vote more than 1 or 2. Anyone who thinks Soros has any power or influence with Democrats is living in a fantasy world. Soros just attracts conspiracy theorists, and conspirators from both the far left, and far right are very much alike.
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- 13th Imam
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:04pm
  I have a Linen tablecloth.
  Report Post »
- I.Gaspar
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:04pm
  @13th:
  John Linen was my favorite Beatle.
  Report Post »
- doomytram
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:09pm
  Oblamer has no grassroots. 20 million less people tuned into the SOTU. Your a warped ridiculous fool and you think Obama has support outside of Jackson Lee, Jerimiah Wright and Rosie Odonnel Obots.
  
  The man is losing his base to the Tea Party and the Federal Gov’t is going down with him. He is a dictator and he is so toast.
  Report Post »
gr8t2bfree
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:56pm
Liberals don’t have common sense, just a need to be self righteous.
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- BuzzardSays
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:59pm
  Usefull? I would not go that far. Let us strike that word from the statement and just leave the idiot.
  Report Post »
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:48pm
George Soros (like many LIBERALS) critiques Obama for not being Socialist enough!

We MUST rid ourselves of the cancer of Big Government in both parties – our Freedom is at stake!
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- islamhater
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 6:55pm
  There‘s only one way and no one is going to do what it take’s..America has lost it‘s pride and gut’s…
  Report Post »
- walleye01
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 7:58pm
  Amen!!! but how…too many people are asleep, Obama is getting the money & who on the republican ticket can be trusted….seems we are screwed!!!
  Report Post »
cja23
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:45pm
Not a shocker that Soros backs the radical liberal, Barack Hussein.
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Mandors
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:44pm
The rich have hid for years behind the $250K income level, grouping billionaires with doctors and small businesses. The uber rich want to stay that way, they don’t want new neighbors, and want to keep everyone else poor. That‘s why they’ll agree to higher taxes, because they have the funds and the infrastructure to still make money whatever the rate.
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- 13th Imam
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:03pm
  Except, CONGRESS MADE THE LAWS. The Rich, while making up most of congress, either coming in or leaving, mostly Except for Buffet(Berkshire Hathaway) , pay what CONGRESS tells the IRS they owe. Look to the Thieves who Make the rules.
  Report Post »
cja23
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:43pm
Totally agree with earlier mentioned statement. Subpoena Soros…..he‘s Obama’s favorite 1 percenter/billionaire mogul who will profit off of our use of Brazillian oil instead of Cannuck oil. Palm-greasing Obama….there should be Congressional committees investigating how a Hungarian NAZI-sympathizer bought the entire Democrat party. How about Obama’s Solyndra bundlers?
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AnAmerican111
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:43pm
Hey George!
How about we just call you an idiot!…
Forget the “useful” part
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irishman
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:41pm
No! He is just an idiot.
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havsumtea
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:37pm
“I’m a traitor to my class”. Interesting verbiage. He became a traitor to his race…..the Jews at a very early age. Changed his name from Schwartz to Soros a long time ago. He fancies himself as a sort of god. His money makes him very dangerous.
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- copatriots
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:44pm
  He’s a traitor to everyone, including himself. Evil to the core. The scarier part to me is how many blind followers he has.
  
  Why am I hearing the Jewel song “Who will save your soul”?
  Report Post »
copatriots
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:37pm
And the ignorant Dems just keep voting them in. Good for Rush for detailing the hypocrisy. Gotta love how the Dems even forgive Obama’s aides for not paying taxes. They want us to pay more while they cheat on their taxes or just don’t pay at all.

http://news.investors.com/Article/599002/201201260818/obama-white-house-staff-back-taxes.htm
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BODYBAG
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:35pm
I think there is an EXTREMELY important typo here:

“If it’s between Obama and Romney, there is all that much difference – except for the crowd that they bring with them.”

Should be”
“…isnt all that much difference…”

And therein lies many of the answers coming from Skooky Dude himself.
McRomney is just more of the same old ****
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Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:35pm
One spooky dude…
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theromba
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:34pm
I thought the useful idiot term was to describe students and poor people who get caught up in the equality argument of socialism.

Soros is no idiot, I wish he was, then maybe he wouldn’t be so dangerous. No, Soros is more like Stalin, someone who utilize the useful idiots.
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- db321
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:58pm
  And the “Useful Idiots in America” keep supporting Obama and it will end in their own demise!
  
  Soros – did not sugar coat anything – he told it just like it is, because he knows “many” American’s are just plain stupid, apathetic, uneducated in simple economics and politics and most importantly they “don’t“ rellied they are being used as”Useful Idiot.” I.e, Obama Care – has anyone ever benefited from Obama Care – No – they never will – but it is Obama’s carrot that he holds out in front of his “Useful Idiots Supporters.” Just like Paul does with Legalized Pot as a carrot for all the drug addicted Paulie‘s that copy and past Paul’s Constitutional stance. Drug addicts could care less about the Constitution!
  Report Post »
- abbygirl1994
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:38pm
  Soros is fufilling his purpose, just like Judas Iscariot fulfilled his.. He has chose which side he is on.. and it is not on the side of the good.. “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve, God or Mammon!” Prepare yourselves for what is to come!!
  Report Post »
justangry
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:30pm
Why no mention of the good doctor Mr. Soros? Does he threaten your NWO most of all?
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- Gonzo
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:36pm
  Yes he does, because R.P. stands with the Constitution and that and God are the two things these vermin hate most.
  Report Post »
- cuinsong
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:38pm
  For this man I only have disgust and this is his song!
  “The Devils song“
  http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10789987
  Report Post »
- MetalPatriot
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:41pm
  @justangry
  
  That was exactly my first thought while reading this article. My guess would be he doesn’t want any attention brought to “the good doctor” primarily because of his Constitutional stance. imho
  
  Cat Scratch Fever!! (sorry, Gonzo, couldn’t help it, though it’s cliche). I love hearing the Nuge…at a gig or his thoughts/opinions.
  Report Post »
Elena2010
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:27pm
Idiot – yes; useful – no.

A wise man once told me that if you‘re not a liberal in your 20’s, you don’t have a heart. If your not a conservative in your 40′s and beyond, you don’t have a brain.
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- Gonzo
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:33pm
  Reagn was POTUS when I was in my 20′s. I guess I don’t have a heart. More bacon please.
  Report Post »
- Mandors
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:40pm
  No. If you‘re not a conservative in your 20’s- you never had a job.
  Report Post »
- Gonzo
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:47pm
  Hey who was that “wise man”? I know it wasn‘t Romney because he didn’t become a conservative until about four years ago.
  Report Post »
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:09pm
  I believe it was attributed to Churchill. You know, the bust of whom Obama sent back and replaced with his portrait of Alinsky.
  Report Post »
- Republic Under God
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:14pm
  I believe it was Winston Churchill who said that.
  Report Post »
UBETHECHANGE
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:23pm
“Well, look, either you’ll have an extremist conservative — be it Gingrich or Santorum — in which case I think it would make a big difference which of the two comes in,” Soros said.

Newt is a progressive like Soros, I’m sure they know each other they both are members of the NWO think tank CFR.

Soros is nuts, but so is the GOP establishment! They are all progressives!
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- UBETHECHANGE
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:29pm
  I hate them all. West/Chaffetz 2012! Chaffetz/West 2012!
  Report Post »
- goengo
  Posted on January 28, 2012 at 12:58pm
  The GOP are ALL progressives? How absurd! Yes, there are progressives within the GOP, but they are the minority. Time to open your mind to see things as they really are – instead of repeating someone else’s talking points.
  Report Post »
13th Imam
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:21pm
I watched this yesterday. He is as smooooooooooooth as Barry, calling Mitt closest to Barry,, and Newt and then Rick as Radical Republicans. That seals it . If Spooky Dude lip locks Barry’s junk, and Mitt is just a hand shake , Newt , but preferably Rick is the way to ggo as he wants no contact .
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GardenoftheGods
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:20pm
Soros is right, he IS a useful IDIOT that needs to get the hell out of America. He’s got too much power in American policy; and supports his puppet Obama. Throw them both out!
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Gonzo
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:20pm
“you’ll probably have some pretty extreme candidates for the Supreme Court”
…and Obama’s S.C. appointees are right down the middle, right George? You got the idiot part right at least…the useful part, not so much.
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does this burka make me look fat?
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:18pm
He’s an idiot alright!!
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- Ruler4You
  Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:07pm
  LOL! Love your name! And, no, you’ve got the flap in just the right spot…
  Report Post »

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