The word "theory" in science means a hypothesis that has been tested; conversely, scientists define "hypothesis" as an untested theory. Both are explanations for observed phenomena, and which predict future observations. Such ideas begin as hypothesis, and graduate to class of "theory" only by passing tests. Within this setting, let's explore Nadir and Tom concepts advocated by Nadir and Tom, such as "universal healthcare", "mimimum wages", and "price controls." Capitalist theory (tested hypothesis) predicts that attempting these concepts (government imposition on individuals and groups) results in fewer people getting less than when free people negotiate amoungst themselves to address these areas of human needs (capitalism).
"Othen, when people evaluate capitalism, they evaluate a system that exists on Earth. When they evaluate communism, they are talking about a non-existent Utopia. What exists on Earth, with all of its problems and shortcomings, is always going to fail miserably when compared to a Utopia. The very attempt to achieve the utopian goals of communism requires the ruthless suppression of the individual and an attack on any institution that might compromise the loyalty of the individual to the state. That's why one of the first orders of business for communism, and those who support its ideas, is the attack on religion and the family."
I just spent nearly a week on Tom's organic farm in North Carolina. All the stakeholders in this farm, like Nadir with his band, are devoted leftists who advocate such socialistic concepts as universal healthcare, minimum wages, and price control. Yet they practice none of these concepts. Like Nadir and his band, they negotiate wages without government control, and at levels that no individual could raise a family of 4 working 40 hours a week with daycare; and they provide no medical insurance; nor do they sell their goods and services according to any price schedule other than maximum of what they can get their customers to pay.
Outrageous!
2006-08-22
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I am not, have never claimed to be and continue to deny Paul's claims that I am a socialist.
I've never claimed to be an anti-anti-communist either, though I don't have a problem with communism or capitalism as systems, per se.
To quote noted socialist Kwame Ture, "You don't judge a system by its adherants. You judge a system by its principles." The knuckleheads who misuse systems like capitalism or communism or Christianity or Islam are to blame for the ills that they cause. The systems themselves are not inherently evil.
And I don't have a problem with capitalists or communists for their economic affiliations, per se. I have a problem with their actions. I don't like Stalin at all. I equate Bush to Hitler and other fascists (though Bush's brand of capitalism involves socialism for his business partners).
I believe some of the reforms practiced by Castro in Cuba had noble aims, but he has made mistakes. I like much of what Chavez has done. I like some of what Mbeki and Mandela have done in South Africa, though I believe they have capitualated too much to the imperialists.
Nadir: Please explain how you are not a socialist. You support socialist policies (minimum wages, progressive taxes, price controls, universal healthcare), and you sympathize with and support socialist leaders (Castro, Chavez). I agree that like most socialists, in your private conduct you are a capitalist. But to the extent that anybody is a socialist, I cannot accept your claim not to be one in light of the policies and people that you advocate.
Even in your plea above to "judge a system by its principles, not its principals", you indicate that if the socialist "knuckleheads" would just behave more purely, they'd create a system that in practice produced better overall results for everyone than similarlly pure capitalists.
I agree that hypothetically, and without regard for real theory, socialism is the greatest! "Universal healthcare" and "minimum wages" and "price caps" are all wonderful. Free brain surgeries and CAT scans; $50,000 salaries for walmart clerks, organic farm hands, and music band drummers; and a $1 price cap on a gallon of petro, music CDs and concert tickets, and pound of organic tomatoes.
You might as well pass laws that ban gravity for planes that lose their engines. Sounds great, except it's impossible.
What would destroy music more than requiring all band members to receive a high "living" wage, especially while simultaneosly capping what the band can charge?
Post a Comment