This is why I dont' understand you being a lefty - the historical record demonstrates unequivocally that left wing forms of government actively prevent any of the citizenry gaining greatness, whilst right wing ones at least encourage peopel to try - even if they fail they had the opportunity to do so in the first place. Surely your belief in this case is libertarian, like mine?
As a question, purely as an arbitary thought experiment: which would you prefer - a world where everyone had $100, or a world where everyone had $1000, except for one person, who had $1,000,000?
Obviously I'd prefer the second, because everyone is better off even if there are greater degrees of social inequality, but I'd be interested to know you opinion, and why?
Everyone is better in the second world than the first. And, of course, that one person splitting $999,000 between six billion people would hardly make any difference at all.
That said, captalism's track record is not that "a rising tide lifts all ships" -- more that "a rising tide lifts the expensive ships and drowns the poor people in dinghys, yachts and schooners."
Someone once asked George Orwell why he abondoned his socialist beliefs later in life, and he replied: "Someone asked me where I'd rather live - Sovciet Russia, or the United States. I didn't even have to think about my answer."
You can argue, and truthfully, that capitalism has some victims. However, I can argue , and truthfully, that socialism has many many more as a proportion of the population (i.e. everyone who isn't a member of the party, for starters). And that's why I'm against it, plain and simple.
For sure, in terms of luxury etc., the US wins every time. That's called "selling out."
And in terms of individual freedom, liberty, happiness, and opportunity... If I have to sell out to be happy, have freedom of speech and association, a vote which means something*, and the opportunity to better myself and my family through hard work, ingenuity, and a little bit of luck, then I'll sell out any day of the week.
And modern capitalism as an excuse for imperialism has many more flavours of victim than merely financial ones.
Well, as the options I'm being presented with are everyone being a victim, or some people maybe being victims, I know which I'll go for. Obviously I'd like to live in a world with no voctims at all, but I dont' believe that's possible. As soon as a workable solution is postulated, I'll be first in the queue. Possibly the development of nanite manufacturing and home fusion power might do it. I don't know.
*I already know what you're planning to say to this, so don't bother. You know exactly what I mean by this statement so don't try hijacking it.
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As a question, purely as an arbitary thought experiment: which would you prefer - a world where everyone had $100, or a world where everyone had $1000, except for one person, who had $1,000,000?
Obviously I'd prefer the second, because everyone is better off even if there are greater degrees of social inequality, but I'd be interested to know you opinion, and why?
no subject
That said, captalism's track record is not that "a rising tide lifts all ships" -- more that "a rising tide lifts the expensive ships and drowns the poor people in dinghys, yachts and schooners."
no subject
You can argue, and truthfully, that capitalism has some victims. However, I can argue , and truthfully, that socialism has many many more as a proportion of the population (i.e. everyone who isn't a member of the party, for starters). And that's why I'm against it, plain and simple.
no subject
And modern capitalism as an excuse for imperialism has many more flavours of victim than merely financial ones.
no subject
And in terms of individual freedom, liberty, happiness, and opportunity...
If I have to sell out to be happy, have freedom of speech and association, a vote which means something*, and the opportunity to better myself and my family through hard work, ingenuity, and a little bit of luck, then I'll sell out any day of the week.
And modern capitalism as an excuse for imperialism has many more flavours of victim than merely financial ones.
Well, as the options I'm being presented with are everyone being a victim, or some people maybe being victims, I know which I'll go for. Obviously I'd like to live in a world with no voctims at all, but I dont' believe that's possible. As soon as a workable solution is postulated, I'll be first in the queue.
Possibly the development of nanite manufacturing and home fusion power might do it. I don't know.
*I already know what you're planning to say to this, so don't bother. You know exactly what I mean by this statement so don't try hijacking it.