I think we should really look at the women and minorities truly hurt by a lack of national lunch insurance. Clearly all other civilized western societies provide this basic need.
Wrong is wrong, legal or otherwise, I agree absolutely. But the change MUST come with respect the law as it is written. The law is our honor and our word to one another. To not have this undermines the trust between every citizen.
Angry mobs who rise up to get "what is rightfully theirs" rarely act with good decisions or tact.
Oh silly Aussie. We do things big here in America! Clearly if we take ourselves out we're taking out everyone else with us.
Sure! Why should a company try to make as much money as possible. I mean what does "fiduciary responsibility to the shareholders" really mean? Just some legal mumbo so Microsoft doesn't have to do it's social duty!
Well generally we tend to get mad at the law and then move to change it. Why would you think the only way people would care about this is if it already were law. Did all the other laws just magically pop out of no where?
Yes I do pay taxes to the state. I actually like our tax system in Washington. I like sales tax much better than income tax.
And who will decide how much they "should" pay besides the law? You expect CEOs with contract bound fiduciary duties to give away a single penny more than is the law?
All I'm saying is that Microsoft's responsibility is to provide product in accordance with the law. It's Washington State's responsibility to mandate laws and taxes. Simple
Yes I do think many of the best business people are visionaries. To build an empire is a achievement full of merit and can only be done so through consenting contracts. That being said there many idiots floating along with no merit of their own except a moderate double speak skill. Aside from their ability to attract bailouts they are nothing.
Are there visionaries among those with low amounts of money? Of course. It is one of my true delights to see people with less money gain the skill level, of whatever it is they produce, needed to participate in business. Though these people may have raw skill, but lack the experience. You wouldn't send a brand new hitter into a world series baseball game? No you have to work yourself up through the smaller niche markets first. If you want to be a big dog then you must do your time on the bottom rungs.
Would you tell me the people of this country are not provided opportunity? HA! It is easier than ever for anyone to sell any product to anyone via affiliate sales. It is easier than ever for artists to create, market, and sell their works without large contracts. There are complete step by step instructions for opening ANY business. The amount of free information on constructing and executing a business plan is staggering. In such a wealth of information why are you so poor?
I suppose your right in that I do not want to be a champion of the downtrodden. No I want to make the these people my allies and equals. I want to help them understand business as they understand things that I do not. Champions lead to sloppy over emotional victories which put us in the insane condition of the world today. The only way I see to bring people up from the bottom is to give them the information and the chance to do so. But that's all I give them. If they fall then they already know they have to get back up.
Yes, lets talk about me now. Do I want to be recognized by the masses as a great business icon? No, I am much much more of a cool calm string puller from afar. As for money I've lived in a huge house and I've lived in crappy apartment barely able to pay the rent. For the time being all the money I want for myself is just a place to live, money to see friends and go out, and maybe travel from time to time. Money beyond that goes to providing lasting solutions, rather than charity, to the problems I see facing the world. I want results not fans.
I never said you should fear me. I simply said with an attitude like yours that you're of little consiqence to any money based goals I have. Is this not a fair assesment? And I do not believe the "glorius eagles" would be great if not for the "little guy". Both must exist in harmony for any system to flourish.
Ahh, now as to what I've done. Right now I have 4 or 5 loans that I do not charge any interest on to poor people across the globe via Kiva. Many of these people have families they could feed because I helped them helped themselves. The beautiful thing about this is that the money is on rotation and will go on helping. Beyond that I've been eyeing DonorsChoose.org as another place to start donating.
Beyond that I like to support small time artists. I'll donate money to those I think are good (i.e.AwesomeVideoGames). I'm also trying my hand at music publishing for a local artist. If this works out I can approach those music visionaries who have nothing and provide them an alliance based on percentages to get them off the ground. I've also looked into what it takes to run a hybrid npo/for profit organization but I don't know how well this will work yet. Yes it will be a tall order to learn this, but it's worth it. Part for me, and part for the little guy.
My "Reardenesque career as a capitalist hero"? I speechless. This is the best compliment you could have given me. Thank you.
And you really think you're going to create something to save you from fighting the bogeymen of economics? Coward. Don't you have the will to get into the arena of money? Because it's not going anywhere.
I'm mystified why you think a business owner shouldn't seek to pay the lowest wages possible. A company exists solely by the virtue of efficiency. If no man wants to work at those wages then he will have no employees. Business is not a charity. It is a system of mutual consents for a greater goal.
Yes a business does make more money with low taxes, but then so does any average joe with a 401K or any type of investment account. More revenue means more expansion which in turn create job opportunities. Also take into consideration most businesses simply pass on the cost of any tax to whatever good they sell. So any decrece in tax is also felt by the little guy by way of cheaper goods. All is not so black and white.
Shall we outlaw people doing favors in return for some sort of goods(i.e money)? That would basically outlaw the economy, but one man couldn't have any voice except the voice of a single man. No thank you. Trades of goods and services aren't going anywhere. Nor are tactical minded business people. They provided something that was worth buying so now they have money. You have the same potential for power, so why not find a way to match them at their own game? Or will you frustratedly play along with their game, enjoying the luxuries they provide us, all the while claiming THEM the bane of your existence? Oh what surprises you'd be in for if the people of business left.
Of course a person should be able to produce as much money as they possibly can. Why would you continue to provide anything of value beyond this cap? Should they be able to do anything? No, but restrictions should be minimal.
It seems to me you pine for a world with no big monsters running around, but this is foolish. There will always be big bad monsters of some sort. Just wait till someone comes to take something of yours because of "desprit social need" from the state department. No, this is a fight no matter how we present the game. Business is the weapon, so learn it if you want to protect yourself.
Well judging by the paragraphs you espouse how little power you have that I really don't have to worry about you now do I? You said it yourself "power will accrue rapidly to those who want it the most...", well I want it. It seems to me you fear power and can not deal with the basic fact of life that mass variations in power will exist.
I'm glad you too see the parallels in Libertarianism and Anarchism. A system with as much freedom as possible while still preserving society would seem optimal. What would happen if these ideals put into place? People being held responcibal for bringing out the best in their communities and states? And who exactly is this "ruling class" and how much money does one need to join this group of bogeymen? For someone so pro-anarchism you seem to have very little respect one's right to choose one's own actions in accordance with their own will.
Let me make this very clear, I nor any other man are required to suffer at the needs of others. Never will I allow myself to suffer without choice to "help" another. Provided all taxes, contracts, and regulations are observed I am the master of my work. Not you. So stop complaining about what I AM doing, and start looking at what YOU are doing.
That being said am I indifferent to the world? No, I very much have elements of the world I'd like to make better. But I will be damned if anyone will force me to do their "social justice". Eather come to me as a equal and ask for my consent in help, or get the hell out of my way.
Under the excess of name calling you seem to touch on the idea of libertarians having no "social responcibility, but how can you force a man to be "socially responsible"? If you just deride him your words are just hot air and meaningless. If you take his wealth then you are a society of looters and a cowards who could not produce for themselves. The only civil method I see is to seek consenting participation.
Rather than chide the rich for their lack of action why don't you act yourself? Gain your own riches, gain your own power, and then change the world as you see fit with your power and your will? If it is you who wants change the world then it will take something much more trolling on Slashdot. Why not stop whining about others, pick a shovel so to speak, and begin the work?
You seem to paint libertarian as pirates who sit around saying "Mwaha ha ha how I subjugate the masses today?". I'm libertianianish so I'll address some of your claims.
As for the right to profit off the "plebeians"; absolutely this is great. Everyone has the chance to make money on anyone else and can only do so by offering some sort of value. Can open source software exist in compliment to this? Absolutely it can. One of the greatest merits of a free market is the ability to put money into anything that produces value for you. So if an open source projects means something to the people then they can take their earned money and buy the value of having an open source project.
As for labor unions in theory are great, but in application are terrible creators of inefficiency. In efforts to secure power for particular groups they create inefficient mandates restricting who can perform what work, subsidies for certain workers when no work is done, and then abuse union dues for unessential administration costs. And then there's the corruption angle to worry about. So all in all a good idea, but it seems to get out of hand almost symmetrically to the problems of corporatism you seem to have.
As for the name calling and insinuations that libertarian don't care about the world this is completely false. Simply the idea is this: Take care of yourself first then use your power to shape the world you want to live in. Never give anything to anyone because public opinion whines for it, but rather because whatever you want to put your money into gives you value. I donate to charities, but I do so because I personally want particular problems solved.
At anytime any "plebeian" can with enough innovation and merit rise from the bottom of society. Any skill is accessible for learning. I've seen it done. All methods of business are available to be learned to. So I do not offer my pity to the masses, but rather my merit.
Slashdot Mirror
So tell me which all professions are these that come with prisoner shackles around my neck?
I think we should really look at the women and minorities truly hurt by a lack of national lunch insurance. Clearly all other civilized western societies provide this basic need.
So come on, and lets pass reform!
And so you'll steal works from private sector whenever YOU deem THEY aren't providing enough for YOUR plans?
What compassion is this? As much as you can take from someone else
Nah! We just got a new batch of printing presses. Free money for everyone
We destroyed perfectly working cars and then gave out freshly printed money to replace them. This is fiscally sound?
Coconut based fusion has no time for the sciantific method
Wrong is wrong, legal or otherwise, I agree absolutely. But the change MUST come with respect the law as it is written. The law is our honor and our word to one another. To not have this undermines the trust between every citizen.
Angry mobs who rise up to get "what is rightfully theirs" rarely act with good decisions or tact.
Oh silly Aussie. We do things big here in America! Clearly if we take ourselves out we're taking out everyone else with us.
Let's get on this so we get our 2 free tech advances!
Hi. It's my fault. Sorry about that
Sure! Why should a company try to make as much money as possible. I mean what does "fiduciary responsibility to the shareholders" really mean? Just some legal mumbo so Microsoft doesn't have to do it's social duty!
Amen!
Well generally we tend to get mad at the law and then move to change it. Why would you think the only way people would care about this is if it already were law. Did all the other laws just magically pop out of no where?
Yes I do pay taxes to the state. I actually like our tax system in Washington. I like sales tax much better than income tax.
And who will decide how much they "should" pay besides the law? You expect CEOs with contract bound fiduciary duties to give away a single penny more than is the law?
All I'm saying is that Microsoft's responsibility is to provide product in accordance with the law. It's Washington State's responsibility to mandate laws and taxes. Simple
As a Washingtonian I am here to say what they are doing is not wrong. Responsibility lies on law makers to make this practice illegal.
Yes I do think many of the best business people are visionaries. To build an empire is a achievement full of merit and can only be done so through consenting contracts. That being said there many idiots floating along with no merit of their own except a moderate double speak skill. Aside from their ability to attract bailouts they are nothing.
Are there visionaries among those with low amounts of money? Of course. It is one of my true delights to see people with less money gain the skill level, of whatever it is they produce, needed to participate in business. Though these people may have raw skill, but lack the experience. You wouldn't send a brand new hitter into a world series baseball game? No you have to work yourself up through the smaller niche markets first. If you want to be a big dog then you must do your time on the bottom rungs.
Would you tell me the people of this country are not provided opportunity? HA! It is easier than ever for anyone to sell any product to anyone via affiliate sales. It is easier than ever for artists to create, market, and sell their works without large contracts. There are complete step by step instructions for opening ANY business. The amount of free information on constructing and executing a business plan is staggering. In such a wealth of information why are you so poor?
I suppose your right in that I do not want to be a champion of the downtrodden. No I want to make the these people my allies and equals. I want to help them understand business as they understand things that I do not. Champions lead to sloppy over emotional victories which put us in the insane condition of the world today. The only way I see to bring people up from the bottom is to give them the information and the chance to do so. But that's all I give them. If they fall then they already know they have to get back up.
Yes, lets talk about me now. Do I want to be recognized by the masses as a great business icon? No, I am much much more of a cool calm string puller from afar. As for money I've lived in a huge house and I've lived in crappy apartment barely able to pay the rent. For the time being all the money I want for myself is just a place to live, money to see friends and go out, and maybe travel from time to time. Money beyond that goes to providing lasting solutions, rather than charity, to the problems I see facing the world. I want results not fans.
I never said you should fear me. I simply said with an attitude like yours that you're of little consiqence to any money based goals I have. Is this not a fair assesment? And I do not believe the "glorius eagles" would be great if not for the "little guy". Both must exist in harmony for any system to flourish.
Ahh, now as to what I've done. Right now I have 4 or 5 loans that I do not charge any interest on to poor people across the globe via Kiva. Many of these people have families they could feed because I helped them helped themselves. The beautiful thing about this is that the money is on rotation and will go on helping. Beyond that I've been eyeing DonorsChoose.org as another place to start donating.
Beyond that I like to support small time artists. I'll donate money to those I think are good (i.e.AwesomeVideoGames). I'm also trying my hand at music publishing for a local artist. If this works out I can approach those music visionaries who have nothing and provide them an alliance based on percentages to get them off the ground. I've also looked into what it takes to run a hybrid npo/for profit organization but I don't know how well this will work yet. Yes it will be a tall order to learn this, but it's worth it. Part for me, and part for the little guy.
My "Reardenesque career as a capitalist hero"? I speechless. This is the best compliment you could have given me. Thank you.
And you really think you're going to create something to save you from fighting the bogeymen of economics? Coward. Don't you have the will to get into the arena of money? Because it's not going anywhere.
I'm mystified why you think a business owner shouldn't seek to pay the lowest wages possible. A company exists solely by the virtue of efficiency. If no man wants to work at those wages then he will have no employees. Business is not a charity. It is a system of mutual consents for a greater goal.
Yes a business does make more money with low taxes, but then so does any average joe with a 401K or any type of investment account. More revenue means more expansion which in turn create job opportunities. Also take into consideration most businesses simply pass on the cost of any tax to whatever good they sell. So any decrece in tax is also felt by the little guy by way of cheaper goods. All is not so black and white.
Shall we outlaw people doing favors in return for some sort of goods(i.e money)? That would basically outlaw the economy, but one man couldn't have any voice except the voice of a single man. No thank you. Trades of goods and services aren't going anywhere. Nor are tactical minded business people. They provided something that was worth buying so now they have money. You have the same potential for power, so why not find a way to match them at their own game? Or will you frustratedly play along with their game, enjoying the luxuries they provide us, all the while claiming THEM the bane of your existence? Oh what surprises you'd be in for if the people of business left.
Of course a person should be able to produce as much money as they possibly can. Why would you continue to provide anything of value beyond this cap? Should they be able to do anything? No, but restrictions should be minimal.
It seems to me you pine for a world with no big monsters running around, but this is foolish. There will always be big bad monsters of some sort. Just wait till someone comes to take something of yours because of "desprit social need" from the state department. No, this is a fight no matter how we present the game. Business is the weapon, so learn it if you want to protect yourself.
Well judging by the paragraphs you espouse how little power you have that I really don't have to worry about you now do I? You said it yourself "power will accrue rapidly to those who want it the most...", well I want it. It seems to me you fear power and can not deal with the basic fact of life that mass variations in power will exist.
But can he love?!?
I'm glad you too see the parallels in Libertarianism and Anarchism. A system with as much freedom as possible while still preserving society would seem optimal. What would happen if these ideals put into place? People being held responcibal for bringing out the best in their communities and states? And who exactly is this "ruling class" and how much money does one need to join this group of bogeymen? For someone so pro-anarchism you seem to have very little respect one's right to choose one's own actions in accordance with their own will.
Let me make this very clear, I nor any other man are required to suffer at the needs of others. Never will I allow myself to suffer without choice to "help" another. Provided all taxes, contracts, and regulations are observed I am the master of my work. Not you. So stop complaining about what I AM doing, and start looking at what YOU are doing.
That being said am I indifferent to the world? No, I very much have elements of the world I'd like to make better. But I will be damned if anyone will force me to do their "social justice". Eather come to me as a equal and ask for my consent in help, or get the hell out of my way.
Under the excess of name calling you seem to touch on the idea of libertarians having no "social responcibility, but how can you force a man to be "socially responsible"? If you just deride him your words are just hot air and meaningless. If you take his wealth then you are a society of looters and a cowards who could not produce for themselves. The only civil method I see is to seek consenting participation.
Rather than chide the rich for their lack of action why don't you act yourself? Gain your own riches, gain your own power, and then change the world as you see fit with your power and your will? If it is you who wants change the world then it will take something much more trolling on Slashdot. Why not stop whining about others, pick a shovel so to speak, and begin the work?
Yet so many times government helps to create and mandate monopolies
You seem to paint libertarian as pirates who sit around saying "Mwaha ha ha how I subjugate the masses today?". I'm libertianianish so I'll address some of your claims.
As for the right to profit off the "plebeians"; absolutely this is great. Everyone has the chance to make money on anyone else and can only do so by offering some sort of value. Can open source software exist in compliment to this? Absolutely it can. One of the greatest merits of a free market is the ability to put money into anything that produces value for you. So if an open source projects means something to the people then they can take their earned money and buy the value of having an open source project.
As for labor unions in theory are great, but in application are terrible creators of inefficiency. In efforts to secure power for particular groups they create inefficient mandates restricting who can perform what work, subsidies for certain workers when no work is done, and then abuse union dues for unessential administration costs. And then there's the corruption angle to worry about. So all in all a good idea, but it seems to get out of hand almost symmetrically to the problems of corporatism you seem to have.
As for the name calling and insinuations that libertarian don't care about the world this is completely false. Simply the idea is this: Take care of yourself first then use your power to shape the world you want to live in. Never give anything to anyone because public opinion whines for it, but rather because whatever you want to put your money into gives you value. I donate to charities, but I do so because I personally want particular problems solved.
At anytime any "plebeian" can with enough innovation and merit rise from the bottom of society. Any skill is accessible for learning. I've seen it done. All methods of business are available to be learned to. So I do not offer my pity to the masses, but rather my merit.
Clearly your understanding is time traveling to not be found.
http://www.slashdong.com/ Proceed at your own caution
So what you're saying is we need robotic genitals too?
So you're saying I should make a Wikipedia entry linking to the youtube video?
Woah dude! Welcome to the mean streets of Slashdot! Cuz' you bums been living a sheltered exist! Welcome to the mean streets of the internet