US disparity in wealth akin to banana republic
- Thread starter darmanad
- Start date
JoeBlow said:Absolutely agree.
Capitalism just harnesses some of our innate desires, as you say.
So, it will not work now because we have decided as a society that it is ok, and even admirable, to behave like children hoarding their toys.
Just ask Jesus, communism is nothing more than sharing.
You could look it up!
PS We will change one day, I would think.
WHOA!! So Jesus is a Communist now?? Are you serious????
Christ's main teachings and the BASIS of all Christianity is FREE WILL. That means, men are FREE to choose what they do (share or not share).
SATAN was the one that wanted to FORCE man to share and be equal. GOD (Jesus) wanted men to be FREE to choose as they saw fit...NOT be told by God, Country, or Obama (had to throw that in there).
darmanad said:Steve, I suspect this is this just another one of your posts written for the express purpose of generating controversy (aka trolling). On other threads you have admitted to such conduct, even if though such an admission was later edited out. It appears you really aren't interested in serious political debate because on other threads you have refused to engage in debate specifically ignoring several requests to state your opinions on the issues. I guess it's less taxing simply to joke around and poke fun at others. That's your prerogative, but before you do that, you should at least make the effort to comprehend what others are saying. Because you have misunderstood the clear import of my words, your criticism is not well focused. Nevertheless, as I have time on my hands, I will reply seriously to you.
First, unlike one interpretation of the Sharpton message you linked, I did not propose that ideal tax policy or any other policy be engineered so as to make all persons equally wealthy. People of good faith can disagree on the exact parameters of a healthy wealth distribution and the tax system to realize it. My analogy about all persons having a bicycle before anyone has 2 Rolls Royces is a simply a way of setting forth the idea that everyone's basic needs should be considered before allowing some to accumulate excess. It's just a manner of speech, Steve.
Second, as for the founding principles of the USA being based upon individual rights and not altruism, I submit that individual rights and altruism are not mutually exclusive. I feel sorry for you or anyone that believes altruism is not a laudable goal. Being altruistic doesn't neccesarily mean wanting everyone to have equal wealth. In a simple sense it just means not being selfish (or being selfless ala the Golden Rule). Modest altruism is an expression of enlightened self interest /individual rights. Its been too long since I studied Locke, Rousseau et al, but didnt they speak to that issue. Ultimately, it's prudent on the part of the very wealthy to avoid a system that allows for great disparity in wealth distribution. At some point they will suffer from the meltdown of society and /or the masses will shout and act upon "off with their heads."
In an enlightened society wealth need not be distributed equally. Society should aim for equal opportunity. For any number of reasons, some of us will have greater success than others. I'm all for allowing that. No system should suppress man's inate desire to succeed for personal gain. That, in turn, should maximize the production of goods and services. But there has to be some limits. That's all I'm saying. Nothing controversial. Nothing overly sanctimonious either.
Hi Darmanad, Your last statement contradicts everything you have ever posted so I am confused, or maybe I just misread what you meant.
You said "society should aim for equal opportunity" but in every post you champion social justice, redistribution, etc. etc. You can't have both.
Whether you agree or not, the U.S. does allow equal opportunity for everyone. It is up to the individual to take a hold of that opportunity. Some will succeed, some will fail...but the fact is, the opportunity is there for the taking.
Warm regards
I think therefor I am...Baruch Spinozajaredwb said:Christ's main teachings and the BASIS of all Christianity is FREE WILL. That means, men are FREE to choose what they do (share or not share).
SATAN was the one that wanted to FORCE man to share and be equal. GOD (Jesus) wanted men to be FREE to choose as they saw fit...NOT be told by God, Country, or Obama (had to throw that in there).
To be is to do...Martin Buber
Doo be doo be doo... Frank Sinatra
darmanad said:I think therefor I am...Baruch Spinoza
To be is to do...Martin Buber
Doo be doo be doo... Frank Sinatra
You had me at Doo be doo be doo