Health Care bill passed

[fr0d0]

Capitalism is removing intellect in favour of more basic & primitive instincts. A civilized approach would be to support the weakest members of society using the wealth of that society. Yes the richest don't get as much as they would, but the poorest don't suffer needlessly.

Socialist extremism isn't right, but a balanced approach as DBP promoted is the only sensible way. We live with the evils of Capitalism NOW, this isn't some failed ideology. A huge number of extremely selfish people are creaming obscene wealth whilst causing death and suffering.

Us fukkers doing all the work and getting shirt buttons for it, say what goes by the democratic process. The wealthy ride the whore regardless.

[Meatball]

If a large corporation is doing what your company does for less profit, it is time to think about other business ideas, or expanding your business so it has a unique sales point.

Even if that corporation is Wal-mart and they have world-wide distribution advantages and chinese production contracts that allow them to sell everything for a fraction the cost anyone locally could ever hope sell at? Maybe the CEOs and fatcats at the top of it will claim 75% of these profits for themselves, and pay the frontline serfs the lowest amount they can legally get away with.

Maybe Wal-mart can use these massive profits there to undercut losses in other areas to drive more small(see: less huge) competitors out of business.

Maybe Wal-mart is the perfect example of why unregulated capitalism is a nightmare on par with corrupted socialism.

The thing about taking both of these ideas is that there is a certain level of trust that people won't fuck over other people. I think history has proven that there will always be someone willing to fuck over everyone.

[Zhalentine]

I think history has proven that there will always be someone willing to fuck over everyone.

Fuck Eve.

[Autumnlicious]

I listened to the radio today as I woke up and heard NPR do a piece on the tea bagger movement. They honestly think that this country is being destroyed and are in a frantic tizzy.

If there was ever a time to drug a population to calm them down, now would be it.

[Tiberius]

If there was ever a time to drug a population to calm them down, now would be it.

That didn't go so well in Serenity...

[Violet]

Capitalism doesn't attempt to change people, or force changes on people. It is a naturalistic model of how we think and what we expect (work -> reward). There is no direct line leading from capitalism to "oppression and death". There is a direct line leading from socialism and communism to oppression and death.

Capitalism primarily functions off of the desire to have more, so that one can be happier. But happiness is often built upon the unhappiness of others. What "direct lines" are you talking about? Socialism is the ideal that nobody should have to suffer a horrible state of existence (and be without aid for when they are)... and everyone should have many good chances to get somewhere they want to in life. It's the idea that we shouldn't give up on people, nor let them walk barefoot through the snow with no place to stay on a cold winters day. That is all socialism is, Adrian... the philosophy that we should help those who need it. I cannot fathom how you are connecting some 'direct line' from sharing surplus resources with oppression and death...

People don't like the be changed. Socialism and communism work by oppressing people and taking what they earn, and when people complain, they get killed by the "collective" for not going along with what is "best" for society. Capitalism gives to people what they deserve based on what they do and what they contribute to society.

You really lost me here... do you pay taxes?

---

If there was ever a time to drug a population to calm them down, now would be it.

That didn't go so well in Serenity...

I interpreted that as a joke...

[Tiberius]

Capitalism primarily functions off of the desire to have more, so that one can be happier.

Capitalism primarily functions off of people wanting to get paid for the work they do actually. Commercialism is what functions off the desire to have more so that one can be happier.

But happiness is often built upon the unhappiness of others.

...and often built on honest people doing a good day's labour. Capitalism isn't a solution for unhappiness, and I never claimed it was. Neither is socialism. Both are economic models.

What "direct lines" are you talking about?

The fact that the only way socialism would "work" would be to have strict government control on the economy, taking money from the working rich and giving it to the un-working poor (oppression). Of course, people don't like this happening (for good reason), and so the government has no choice but to start silencing people who peak out against their regime. In socialist countries in the past, this is done by wiping out those who "dare" to speak out.

Socialism is the ideal that nobody should have to suffer a horrible state of existence (and be without aid for when they are)... and everyone should have many good chances to get somewhere they want to in life. It's the idea that we shouldn't give up on people, nor let them walk barefoot through the snow with no place to stay on a cold winters day. That is all socialism is, Adrian... the philosophy that we should help those who need it.

Your lovey-dovey version of socialism is I'm sure what you've been taught to think, but I'm afraid the social side of socialism isn't all of it. I'm very much against giving up on people, and so are capitalists. Socialism and capitalism share the same goal (no more poverty), yet have very different methods for getting to that goal. Capitalism sets up a system wherein the worker works and gets paid (eliminating poverty). Socialism sets up a system where everyone shares the wealth, even if they don't do anything to earn it. Nobody has any incentive to work in socialism, and it is unfair to those who have done the work.

I cannot fathom how you are connecting some 'direct line' from sharing surplus resources with oppression and death...

As I've explained, sharing the resources is unfair to those who have done the work to earn it. Under capitalism, there is also a sharing of resources, but it is done on a charity level. People who earn their money fair and square can give to the poor, can help them eat, can set up companies and get them jobs, whatever. That is a fair system. What is not a fair system is forcing people (oppression...) to give to people who they don't know and who they might not even care about. If I earn my wages, I'll spend it on what I want, and I'll give it to the charities I decide. I don't trust the government to spend it wisely, which is why I support private charity.

You really lost me here... do you pay taxes?

When I had a job, of course I did. I'm currently unemployed in further education, so I do not pay taxes (I have no income to pay it on).

If there was ever a time to drug a population to calm them down, now would be it.

That didn't go so well in Serenity...

I interpreted that as a joke...

It's from a movie...it was meant as a cultural reference.

[Violet]

[Autumnlicious]

If there was ever a time to drug a population to calm them down, now would be it.

That didn't go so well in Serenity...

I interpreted that as a joke...

It's from a movie...it was meant as a cultural reference.

Actually, I suggested that in all spuriousness. I've never seen Serenity. Indeed, I have no idea of what it is.

[Tiberius]

Then go see it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_(film)