The flaw here lies in your misguided belief that governments are accountable, particularly to the people they harm. The other flaw is that you think power, that is, the power one individual can exert over another through violence or threat thereof, is a necessary aspect of society. Both are false
Power, wealth, etc will never be shared in egalitarian manner because Nature is NOT egalitarian since only a few are unltra-smart others aren't (comparatively), only a few have a specific skill others don't & so on & so forth so those few whose talents are MORE valuable than others will always make more money or gain more power, etc so the best system is the one where one is allowed to maximize one's own potential AS LONG AS one doesn't encroach on others' right to do the same = libertarianism
I just hate assholes with facial hair, don't you? I'm sorry for my language, but we should disregard the opinion of anyone who lacks enough style to go without shaving. Also, I'll bet you're right--they look like the sort of people who might live in basements to me, too! Ha! Good one!
Mao, Stalin, and Castro were all Communist, not Socialist. Capitalist countries don't tell you about all of the Socalist sucess stories and what few they mention they spin and leave our relevant facts in order to scare you.
Mao, Stalin, and Castro were all Socialist. Socialist countries don't tell you about all of the Cpaitalist sucess stories and what few they mention they spin and leave our relevant facts in order to scare you.
The term "socialism" encompasses an incredibly broad spectrum of ideas, many of which are incompatible with the others. Arguing in favor of one form of socialism doesn't mean that you support all of them. In any case, it's the countries with the more evenly distributed wealth—the socialized ones—that have the happiest populations.
"In any case, it's the countries with the more evenly distributed wealth—the socialized ones—that have the happiest populations." - It is not the job of the government to create happiness. The government's job is to protect your life and liberty for you, the individual, to pursue happiness. For some happiness is wealth & "things", for others it's little other than friends & family. It's telling that one would equat wealth distribution with happiness. If you want wealth, go get it.
No one said that it's the job of the government to create happiness. Obviously, however, given the choice between creating culture A (where happiness is more likely) and culture B (where it is less likely), any rational person would chose the former.
I agree. But you are making it the governments job by asking them to "more evenly distribute wealth". The only way they can do that is thru taxation. The one makes the higher the tax rate. And, ultimately, the government doesn't "distribute" that wealth, they create programs. I would actually have less of a problem if the government just gave people below a certain income level a check rather than create a program. At least then that person could have a choice as to what they do with that money.
I'm asking (advocating) for nothing more or less than a culture (including a government) that will do what is effective to create a society full of people likely to be able to meet their needs and be happy.
@kbr7171 That is dogmatic thinking. That is, you say you accept that there are better ways to run society, but you choose to reject those ways in the name of some holy writ in which you believe. People are suffering more, but that's good because it's in the name of a purer order.
When I think of Government I don't think of it as a separate entity there to oppress me, weather it is a government,corporation,a criminal organization, or an informal social network, whatever, it is people abusing people,the good thing about government is that we can make a set of laws to live up to, and through democratic elections, and term limits keep power in check, like you say with the people holding the elected accountable.You cant hold the rich or the mob accountable except through law
The flaw here lies in your misguided belief that governments are accountable, particularly to the people they harm. The other flaw is that you think power, that is, the power one individual can exert over another through violence or threat thereof, is a necessary aspect of society. Both are false
FreeEcon 7 months ago
Power, wealth, etc will never be shared in egalitarian manner because Nature is NOT egalitarian since only a few are unltra-smart others aren't (comparatively), only a few have a specific skill others don't & so on & so forth so those few whose talents are MORE valuable than others will always make more money or gain more power, etc so the best system is the one where one is allowed to maximize one's own potential AS LONG AS one doesn't encroach on others' right to do the same = libertarianism
lomocan 1 year ago
@ineptsegue Thanks, its time people wake up and realize there's an alternative to capitalism.
LeftistPilot 1 year ago
Hey, why don't you tell us socialism is when the workers control the means of production democratically.
LeftistPilot 1 year ago
Myth: Oddly bearded thirthysomethings, living in their mother's basement, opinions matter.
kbr7171 2 years ago
I just hate assholes with facial hair, don't you? I'm sorry for my language, but we should disregard the opinion of anyone who lacks enough style to go without shaving. Also, I'll bet you're right--they look like the sort of people who might live in basements to me, too! Ha! Good one!
malcolmbosman 2 years ago
I suppose if you can't challenge the ideas, insult the messenger?
CausalCrunch 2 years ago
Man, you totally got me. I've been blind to all the great socialist leader throught history: Stalin, Mao, Kim Il Sun, Castro...what was I thinking.
kbr7171 2 years ago
Mao, Stalin, and Castro were all Communist, not Socialist. Capitalist countries don't tell you about all of the Socalist sucess stories and what few they mention they spin and leave our relevant facts in order to scare you.
Technate1 2 years ago
Mao, Stalin, and Castro were all Socialist. Socialist countries don't tell you about all of the Cpaitalist sucess stories and what few they mention they spin and leave our relevant facts in order to scare you.
kbr7171 2 years ago
The term "socialism" encompasses an incredibly broad spectrum of ideas, many of which are incompatible with the others. Arguing in favor of one form of socialism doesn't mean that you support all of them. In any case, it's the countries with the more evenly distributed wealth—the socialized ones—that have the happiest populations.
Beingism 2 years ago
"In any case, it's the countries with the more evenly distributed wealth—the socialized ones—that have the happiest populations." - It is not the job of the government to create happiness. The government's job is to protect your life and liberty for you, the individual, to pursue happiness. For some happiness is wealth & "things", for others it's little other than friends & family. It's telling that one would equat wealth distribution with happiness. If you want wealth, go get it.
kbr7171 2 years ago
No one said that it's the job of the government to create happiness. Obviously, however, given the choice between creating culture A (where happiness is more likely) and culture B (where it is less likely), any rational person would chose the former.
Beingism 1 year ago
I agree. But you are making it the governments job by asking them to "more evenly distribute wealth". The only way they can do that is thru taxation. The one makes the higher the tax rate. And, ultimately, the government doesn't "distribute" that wealth, they create programs. I would actually have less of a problem if the government just gave people below a certain income level a check rather than create a program. At least then that person could have a choice as to what they do with that money.
kbr7171 1 year ago
I'm asking (advocating) for nothing more or less than a culture (including a government) that will do what is effective to create a society full of people likely to be able to meet their needs and be happy.
Beingism 1 year ago
@kbr7171 That is dogmatic thinking. That is, you say you accept that there are better ways to run society, but you choose to reject those ways in the name of some holy writ in which you believe. People are suffering more, but that's good because it's in the name of a purer order.
lordhighexecutioner 9 months ago
Mao, Stalin, and Castro were all COMMUNIST. Read a book.
Technate1 2 years ago
When I think of Government I don't think of it as a separate entity there to oppress me, weather it is a government,corporation,a criminal organization, or an informal social network, whatever, it is people abusing people,the good thing about government is that we can make a set of laws to live up to, and through democratic elections, and term limits keep power in check, like you say with the people holding the elected accountable.You cant hold the rich or the mob accountable except through law
catgumart 2 years ago