Islamic & Christian Fundamentalism--What's the difference?

[underguy1]

A monetary system is not a 'natural phenomenon'. So that 'argument' starts with a logical fallacy.

 

[BotanyBoy]

A monetary system is not a 'natural phenomenon'. So that 'argument' starts with a logical fallacy.

Who made that argument?

 

[richmondman]

Interesting discussions. My 2 cents is that we are the greatest capitalist economy of all time, even with our warts. We have some things that aren't "capitalist" because they often involve public goods that are needed and would be unworkable under private ownership - roads, for example. Water and sewer lines.

There are of course a great many things you can debate back and forth about whether something should be private or public.

The issue with "pure" capitalism and "pure" free markets is that there are clear winners and losers. As a theoretical matter, there ought not be anything wrong with that, but as applied, oh boy are there problems.

So why, exactly, do we pay billions in farm subsidies, including paying farmers NOT to grow corn? If I can get corn from Mexico cheaper and all I want, then why are my taxes going to those loser "takers" from Iowa and Kansas. We ought to tell them, "nobody made you live somewhere where there is no cash crop, so move if you want, not my problem." (No offense to Iowans and Kansians, just an example).

And how about all of these "rural" people who live in bumfuck nowhere, but they want me to help pay for their paved roads? Losers. Get some outhouses and if your drinking water gets fucked up, not my problem hombre. If they want paving, move to the City or a suburb where it makes sense, and heck if it's private anyway where there are enough people to pay the tolls to build and maintain them - at full cost. Otherwise, get a horse because I just don't care.

Medicare/Medicaid/VA? Socialist programs, right? Social Security and that ridiculous giveaway, the "survivor's benefit." Ha! Marry someone with money and/or healthy and quit burdening me with your no good, no account, loser family.

My point is that there are some things that even in a capitalist society we have to provide as public goods. Does that smell of socialism? A little, but it's necessary and practical. Now, when private markets go too far (savings and loan crisis, mortgage market collapse, offshore drilling safety regulations repeal) the general population and small businesses suffer.

A lot of this results from lobbyists and the role of money in American public policy (on both parties) and (this will be a future topic) the congressional district gerrymandering that I think is undemocratic and pretty much assures that our leaders won't ever be able to make good decisions.

 

[MichaelinChina]

How's that whole 'Were all exactly the same because we all come from women.' derpology working out for you?

crikey, derpology is a word, sort of. Who'd a thunk it?

Were? you mean we're.


and yeah...if you can't grasp the fact that we are born from women's childbirth, no matter rich or poor, then you have problems. Who's the derp then?



oh and btw...markets aren't natural; that is they don't follow natural laws, like true nature. It's buyers and sellers agreeing on a price, which affects the market. But an economist (following an 'objective' scientific method) wouldn't understand the social dynamics involved, right?

 

[Hard_Rom]

Nowadays, most people call it "Libertarianism".
*nods*

Or neo-liberalism.

 

[Conager]

Uhh, that's called "globalism".

Let me know how that's working out.

Globalism is the exact opposite of 1000's of little republics all deciding for themselves how they choose to live.

Having someone tell you what to do half a continent or a half a world away is globalism.

Globalism has its advantages in that there are sometimes economies of scale that come into play. Which is why we have cheap products from China

 

[Conager]

crikey, derpology is a word, sort of. Who'd a thunk it?

Were? you mean we're.


and yeah...if you can't grasp the fact that we are born from women's childbirth, no matter rich or poor, then you have problems. Who's the derp then?



oh and btw...markets aren't natural; that is they don't follow natural laws, like true nature. It's buyers and sellers agreeing on a price, which affects the market. But an economist (following an 'objective' scientific method) wouldn't understand the social dynamics involved, right?

That's the whole point of Austrian economics. To take into consideration what people's motivations are when they are engaged in commerce; what forces are acting on their decision making process.

 

[underguy1]

That's the whole point of Austrian economics. To take into consideration what people's motivations are when they are engaged in commerce; what forces are acting on their decision making process.

The point of Austrian'economics' is to promote ignorance and fear that plays into the hands of the very rich.

It is pseudo-psychology and even in that respect it is mostly wrong.