are you left,right or centre?

[bozo]

"to each according to need, from each according to means"

Ok, but how do we distinguish who contributes what? It is given that poor people need more, but where does the input come from? Doesn't this system depend on people who work their asses off contributing their earnings towards people who don't work as hard as them? Sorry if I'm confusing this, but how would you put this system into practice?

Adrian, you ask the question about input with experience only of capitalist society. It would be different in a socialist society. Can I invite you to read " The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists " by Robert Tressell? You should be able to get it from your library or on ebay for a modest price. It is far more eloquent than I could ever be on the evils of capitalism and a vision for a socialist future ( it's also highly critical of religion too! ). It is THE socialist classic and an easy, entertaining read as well. It will explin why I am like I am, which puzzles you a bit, I know.
It's also far easier than Marx!

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I am interested to learn where you all stand on the political spectrum.

Interesting thread. The mistake I think everyone is making here is assuming the political spectrum is just that: a left-to-right continuum.

It's not.

I'm a libertarian. If you care to look at the "world's smallest political quiz", many of you will get a better picture of where you sit on this (admittedly arbitrary) scheme.

http://www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.html

Just FYI: I score like this:

Your PERSONAL issues Score is 100%.
Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 100%.

Basically, keep the government (and religion!) out of my wallet, my gun cabinet, my bedroom, my bookcase and my mind and they and I will get along just fine.

-- Jon

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Adrian, trust me I'm not cut out to be the converting type! I say capitalism needs to be replaced with a better system i.e. a system that provides " to each according to needs, from each acording to means ". That system is socialism.

I personally find this to be one of the worst systems possible. In a system like this, what incentive is there for anyone to work hard and excel?

It gives the lazy, the deceitful, and the stupid a mortgage on everyone else's work.

Have you ever read "Atlas Shrugged", Bozo? The characterisation is pretty flat, but the philosophy running through the novel is sound.

-- Jon

Hmmm. I have debated with Adrian about where he stands on the left-right spectrum.....from how you see things I would say you are way to the right of him. You are well into the capitalist ethos from how you describe what concerns you....YOU.
I haven't read " Atlas Shrugged " but I'll read it if you read " The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists " and then we can debate. Deal?