If you believe in Democracy you believe in taxation, that's the deal.
Democrats may or may not believe in taxation but capitalists certainly don't. If you understand the underlying principles of capitalism, you'll realize that taxes are not supported by capitalists. They consider taxes to be inefficient and harm free markets (similar to how duties, tariffs, floors (eg. min wage), ceilings (eg. rent control) all harm free market). Most capitalists really want NO TAXES, and until they get that, they want FLAT TAXES.
You have a point but it is exaggerated. Don't discount things like entertainment, art, and the like. A related example (although not exactly the same) would be movies in theaters in India. India is oen of the poorest countries in the world. Yet it has one of the largest movie industries in the world (in terms of # of movies, it is #1; but in terms of dollar value, Hollywood is #1). Many poor people actually watch a lot of movies. The ticket prices are cheap, and theaters are easily accessible (at least in towns and cities--but that's where most of hte population lives). Of course, Hollywood films aren't THAT popular in poor countries YET (mostly due to costs, language barriers, etc). But I think in 50 years, there will be even more people watching movies, and Hollywood would be even more popular.
What I have said is about movie theaters. Clearly these people cannot afford a dvd player or tv and that's why they go to the theaters. But it is quite conceivable that DVD players, and even computers (especially if extremely-low-end computer prices drop another 50% or so) may become more popular. As poor as countries like China may be, they may simply adopt new technology (like DVD players, computers, etc) simply because it is the most effective (kind of like cellphones, which outsells landlines by a ton in poor countries.).
There is still the issue of piracy but that's another story...
The question is... does any of it matter if an authoratarian govt comes to power? Sure the record keeping will facilitate the process but even without it, you will be targetted. For instance, let's say I'm a fascist who believes that everyone born on the 20th of every month must be killed. Having records of people will surely help me. But even if I didn't have the records, I'll come and kill you. In fact, fascism (such as Nazism) has shown that people will be killed as long as doubt exists. For instance, a lot of non-Jew/non-Communist/non-homosexual/etc were killed simply because there was a dispute as to whether the person belong to the cateogry or not. So what's the difference?
NOTE: I'm not arguing in favour of govt collecting information. All I'm saying is that your argument against it is weak...
Really, it's not about the American worker, it's that American CEOs and middle managers are all idiots.
Actually they are not idiots at all. If anything, they are very smart (smarter than you j/k;) ). I surprised that you fail to see that these people actually BENEFIT from all this. They aren't doing it just for the sake it. They are enriching themselves. You need to simply look at the wealth figures in USA. A segment of the population is increasing its wealth at a crazy rate. I hope you see who that is...
I think I just had East Asia on the brain when I was writing that.
oh... sorry about that... I thought you were referring to everything, and "conveniently" ignored certain realties like many Americans do. I'm glad to see that you haven't done that:)
As far as the cop case in California is concerned... well, it's going to be interesting to see how it turns out. I don't really know if the police officer is "guilty" (he claims that the kid grabbed his groin). I don't know whose story to believe but the real impact will be after the next court case (ie. on appeal). That could turn nasty...
Just read your journal (at least scanned through it). Here are my thoughts...don't know if you care but you are going to get it anyway:):
* Based on your thoughts, it seems that you are left wing and yet it seems like you vote for the Liberatarian party. I'm thinking the Green Party would be more aligned with your goals (of course, I know neither your stance on issues nor the ideals of US parties)...
* As far as the Davis re-election thingie is concerned, at least California seems to have some element of democracy. I have never heard of a country/province/city ever recalling anyone in any part of the world so it can only be good. I don't think anything remotely similar is allowed in 90% of the world (of course, I could be wrong). Kind of costly but it is more democratic IMO.
* As far as the budget crisis is concerned, it is truly pathetic. One of the largest economies in the world (not to mention richest; in contrast to economies like China which are large but not rich) ending up with a massive deficit would be laughable if it weren't sad. Granted, the dot-com bust didn't help at all but still... I hope you guys get your stuff sorted out
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If you believe in Democracy you believe in taxation, that's the deal.
Democrats may or may not believe in taxation but capitalists certainly don't. If you understand the underlying principles of capitalism, you'll realize that taxes are not supported by capitalists. They consider taxes to be inefficient and harm free markets (similar to how duties, tariffs, floors (eg. min wage), ceilings (eg. rent control) all harm free market). Most capitalists really want NO TAXES, and until they get that, they want FLAT TAXES.
You have a point but it is exaggerated. Don't discount things like entertainment, art, and the like. A related example (although not exactly the same) would be movies in theaters in India. India is oen of the poorest countries in the world. Yet it has one of the largest movie industries in the world (in terms of # of movies, it is #1; but in terms of dollar value, Hollywood is #1). Many poor people actually watch a lot of movies. The ticket prices are cheap, and theaters are easily accessible (at least in towns and cities--but that's where most of hte population lives). Of course, Hollywood films aren't THAT popular in poor countries YET (mostly due to costs, language barriers, etc). But I think in 50 years, there will be even more people watching movies, and Hollywood would be even more popular.
What I have said is about movie theaters. Clearly these people cannot afford a dvd player or tv and that's why they go to the theaters. But it is quite conceivable that DVD players, and even computers (especially if extremely-low-end computer prices drop another 50% or so) may become more popular. As poor as countries like China may be, they may simply adopt new technology (like DVD players, computers, etc) simply because it is the most effective (kind of like cellphones, which outsells landlines by a ton in poor countries.).
There is still the issue of piracy but that's another story...
Maybe he considers maintenance and administration under the "too hard to use" category...
The question is... does any of it matter if an authoratarian govt comes to power? Sure the record keeping will facilitate the process but even without it, you will be targetted. For instance, let's say I'm a fascist who believes that everyone born on the 20th of every month must be killed. Having records of people will surely help me. But even if I didn't have the records, I'll come and kill you. In fact, fascism (such as Nazism) has shown that people will be killed as long as doubt exists. For instance, a lot of non-Jew/non-Communist/non-homosexual/etc were killed simply because there was a dispute as to whether the person belong to the cateogry or not. So what's the difference?
NOTE: I'm not arguing in favour of govt collecting information. All I'm saying is that your argument against it is weak...
Really, it's not about the American worker, it's that American CEOs and middle managers are all idiots.
;) ). I surprised that you fail to see that these people actually BENEFIT from all this. They aren't doing it just for the sake it. They are enriching themselves. You need to simply look at the wealth figures in USA. A segment of the population is increasing its wealth at a crazy rate. I hope you see who that is...
Actually they are not idiots at all. If anything, they are very smart (smarter than you j/k
I think I just had East Asia on the brain when I was writing that.
:)
:):
oh... sorry about that... I thought you were referring to everything, and "conveniently" ignored certain realties like many Americans do. I'm glad to see that you haven't done that
As far as the cop case in California is concerned... well, it's going to be interesting to see how it turns out. I don't really know if the police officer is "guilty" (he claims that the kid grabbed his groin). I don't know whose story to believe but the real impact will be after the next court case (ie. on appeal). That could turn nasty...
Just read your journal (at least scanned through it). Here are my thoughts...don't know if you care but you are going to get it anyway
* Based on your thoughts, it seems that you are left wing and yet it seems like you vote for the Liberatarian party. I'm thinking the Green Party would be more aligned with your goals (of course, I know neither your stance on issues nor the ideals of US parties)...
* As far as the Davis re-election thingie is concerned, at least California seems to have some element of democracy. I have never heard of a country/province/city ever recalling anyone in any part of the world so it can only be good. I don't think anything remotely similar is allowed in 90% of the world (of course, I could be wrong). Kind of costly but it is more democratic IMO.
* As far as the budget crisis is concerned, it is truly pathetic. One of the largest economies in the world (not to mention richest; in contrast to economies like China which are large but not rich) ending up with a massive deficit would be laughable if it weren't sad. Granted, the dot-com bust didn't help at all but still... I hope you guys get your stuff sorted out