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MrThorns -> RE: Political Compass (2/12/2005 1:31:16 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth
pantera,
Thanks for the nod, but more importantly can you identify the movie this reference is derived; "We are an anarcho-syndicalist commune where people take turns and act as a sort of executive-officer-for-the-week."?
Monty Python and the Holy Grail ...of course.
But back to the discussion...
The caste system in India is based on religion. With one or two exceptions, you are locked into that caste forever. (Exceptions historically being the warrior caste and the priesthood if I remember correctly.) In the US, millions of people are similarily locked into their position for life. Not trapped by religion, but by their financial status.
You said that "...with money, no place is off limits..." and you are absolutely right. If someone is arrested for a crime, those with money can buy their freedom until the trial by posting bail. Those without the money can sit in a cell until tried. So there are definate limits on ones freedoms without money.
Those with money can hire lobbyists to protect their interests
Credit. The almight FICO score. Why is it that one person can put 20% down on a home to avoid mortgage insurance, get an outstanding interest rate, and minimal closing costs while another person who cant afford the 20% down has to pay mortgage insurance, plus higher closing costs at a higher rate of interest? Things are cheaper if you have more money.
Yes, thousands of people crawl out from under the poverty line every year. (but end up making less money because they are now in a new tax bracket... so maybe they cant pay a credit card that month...it affects their credit...late fees, service fees, student loans are due..bam. Stuck.)
It takes money to make money. If you don't have the money on hand, you'd better have the credit because you're not going to get a small business loan without it.
I know this sounds like a lot of "Poor me" or "Poor them" whining. I agree with the idea of every american having an opportunity to succeed. I don't agree that every american has the same opportunity. I don't think it's right that people with money are entitled to a better legal defence than those without. I don't think it's right that some voices are heard louder than others because of the side of their wallet. (This goes for liberals too, btw.) Competition in business..fine, wonderful. Capitalism works. (btw, Pantera...hate to tell ya this, but Capitalism has been around for quite a bit longer than "Conservatives" have been. Its an ancient concept...but I digress....) I don't believe that the conservative economic model works. The way I interpret that model is so:
1-Government encourages the free market economy by not regulating anything about how a company chooses to do business.
Problem- Some regulations are necessary to protect the environment, the employee, and to reduce corruption.
Solution- Reestablish laws that protect the environment. Provide incentives for companies that upgrade their facilities to be less harmful to the environment. Establish harsher penalties for those that fail to comply with the law. Enforce those laws. Develop a sense of responsibility for the employee. Provide tax breaks to corporations that provide day care, medical care, housing assistance, or tuition assistance to their employees.
2-Reduce taxes that fund social programs, as people should be responsible for taking care of themselves without the government.
Problem-Most people are not financially responsible. I wish it weren't so. I think the government needs to take on that responsibility to ensure that people can care for themselves.
Solution- one example: Social Security. A temporary program that we became dependent upon. So fix it by taking a percentage of each worker's gross pay and investing it for them. Each person has a say in where that money goes. Lets say we have three options and you can choose to change where the money gets invested each month: One, you may invest this money in a mutual fund, stock option, etc. Two: an IRA, Three: a CD or savings bond. People have the freedom to withdraw a small percentage of this fund at anytime. Point is that the money is working for them, in an investment of their choice, and there will be something for them to retire on.
3-Give tax refunds to the people with the hope that they will turn around and invest that money into the economy by purchasing goods and services, or by saving for their own retirement.
Hmm...of all the people I know who got a tax return I can only think of two that invested their money. Those that didn't invest spent that "extra" money on some form of instant gratification. Okay...wondermous. So, down the road, in their years of dotage, they become a burden on the system because they didn't plan for the future.
Defining "fair" and "reasonable":
I think that if you sell an item to one person for 5 bucks you should sell that same item to the next person for 5 bucks, regardless of how much money he makes.
I don't think the rich should be taxed more than the poor, but I do think that the impact paying those taxes have on one's personal finances should be equal. Example: Flat tax rate on all income.
I think it's reasonable to charge someone for medical care.
I think it's unreasonable to bankrupt a family because their child has leukemia and the insurance won't cover the costs.
Pick an option? Heh. I'm for benevolent dictatorship.
Communism doesn't work. Democracy has far too much bureaucratic nonsense about it, democratic republics keep fighting over who's rights are more important. I would love to see the US government encourage personal responsibility and take on responsibility for the well being of its citizens. I want to see an end to one group's individual values leading to the legislation of the collective. I think there should be a restraining order on lobbiests keeping them at least 500 ft away from all government officials. I think Congress should be paid minimum wage, but have all of their living expenses paid for by the state while they are in office.
gads...I'm ranting.
Bottom line:
Capitalism is great. Competition is wonderful. I just want to see the playing field leveled out.
Take care,
~Thorns
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