the new Conservatives

[ishtat]

I got back ten days ago from a trip to China. Whilst there I listened to a 2 hour lecture by two Chinese economics professors to an international audience. Basically they were comparing and noting failures in Fundamentalist conservatism.

They took as their examples Maoism in the 50's and 60's . Islamic fundamentalism from the 70's onwards and Christian (politically) conservative fundamentalism in the USA. Their basic thesis was that the unwavering belief in any particular political nostrum never works because circumstances always change and moderation with practical solutions is required.

It seemed a very odd place to hear that lesson but I guess that is a measure of how the World has changed. When discussing the current situation in the US these guys compared it to the Robber Baron period dealt with by Theodore Roosveldt. They noted however that it now appeared that the administration rather than just Corporate America were the new Robber Barons.

I still can't quite believe that I heard this analysis in "Red" China.

 

[rgraham666]

Considering the number of CEOs in the current administration, the difference between the administration and Corporate America is pretty much illusionary.

 

[cantdog]

RG: debt is exploding because Congress is increasing spending faster than tax revenues are rising.

I do not work for wages, thus I cannot directly comment on payroll tax. However, it is my understanding that payroll tax rates have been decreased due to the Bush tax RATE cuts. The "payroll tax" is income tax for at least the vast majority of wage earners.

If you use the definition of "wealthy" as "anyone who has more money that me," perhaps. However a lot of people who have started businesses and grown them, including hiring workers, are dying and their heirs have to sell the businesses in order to pay the death taxes. This last is not good for the businesses or for the workers who may suddenly find themselves unemployed.

What crap.
Their heirs will sell the businesses. Jesus.

Come back when you have something factual to say.

 

[Op_Cit]

What a bunch of whining.

Do you blame a wolf for being a wolf?

You blame corporate america for doing what they do which is look out for their best interests. But, by definintion, that's what they're for.

The corporations and wealthy individuals are only able to exploit the power of goverment because of 2 things:

1. We gave away too much power over ourselves to government.
2. Government is by its very nature corruptible. It is the laticework upon which the vine of corruption grows.

What better way to rob someone than by using the biggest and best weapon around: the legitimized force of government? What's more legitimate than the club you gleefully give to your master? And every two years people run to the polls saying in their best Bullwinkle voice, "This time for sure, Rocky."

Right and wrong have nothing to do with it. It is nature. Cause and effect. "If you build it, they will come."

The more power that government holds over the individual, the more the individual will be exploited by the government. It's a law of nature.

 

[sweetnpetite]

What a bunch of whining.

Do you blame a wolf for being a wolf?

You blame corporate america for doing what they do which is look out for their best interests. But, by definintion, that's what they're for.

The corporations and wealthy individuals are only able to exploit the power of goverment because of 2 things:

1. We gave away too much power over ourselves to government.
2. Government is by its very nature corruptible. It is the laticework upon which the vine of corruption grows.

What better way to rob someone than by using the biggest and best weapon around: the legitimized force of government? What's more legitimate than the club you gleefully give to your master? And every two years people run to the polls saying in their best Bullwinkle voice, "This time for sure, Rocky."

Right and wrong have nothing to do with it. It is nature. Cause and effect. "If you build it, they will come."

The more power that government holds over the individual, the more the individual will be exploited by the government. It's a law of nature.

I don't see any whining.

I do however see someone (you) he likes to state there oppinions and observations as absolute irrifutable fact, and that is quite annoying and offputing.

By the way- are you sure you're not amicus?

 

[Op_Cit]

I don't see any whining.

I do however see someone (you) he likes to state there oppinions and observations as absolute irrifutable fact, and that is quite annoying and offputing.

By the way- are you sure you're not amicus?

It's just whining in general. Every day someone posts a political rant about "Them": The evil liberals, the evil conservatives, the evil--no wait--stupid Bush, the evil corporations, baby killing abortionists, evil pro-lifers...

Everybody complains about it and wants to point fingers at someone else that is the problem instead of themselves. Nobody here is willing to change himself to fix the problems in the world. Everybody wants someone else to take responsibility to fix things.

And everybody wants to believe the myth that someone or something else is going to make everything OK.

I try hard not to respond to these, but I can't suppress myself entirely. I probably write three responses that I delete for every one I post.

What annoys me the most is myself: deep down I think I know I'm wasting my time.