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manofmystery
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 26 2008
Location: PA, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 4335
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 19:01 |
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Time always wins.
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Dudemanguy
Forum Groupie
Joined: November 14 2011
Location: In the closet
Status: Offline
Points: 89
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 19:58 |
manofmystery wrote:
Basic Econ
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Ah, a good article. We should probably start by actually getting a free market first. *glares at federal reserve*
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The Doctor
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: June 23 2005
Location: The Tardis
Status: Offline
Points: 8543
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:03 |
Epignosis wrote:
The Doctor wrote:
The T wrote:
Equality 7-2521 wrote:
The T wrote:
No, it basically aims to eliminate that power that allows government to get in bed with wealthy elitists and ubercorporations for the exclusive benefit of a few.
| To speak for me personally, libertarianism also hopes to smash down ubercorporations as JJ puts it. Yes the methods it takes differ from those of others since the market failure which allows an exploitative corporation to succeed implies the aid of government regulations or funds somewhere in the equations. I have a particular disdain for pharmaceutical companies. I think they get rich by essentially exploiting the rest of us. Attacking them is pointless though. That's like trying to destroy a tree by eating the apples. You're just letting the tree grow taller and fertilizing the tree's seeds.
The T wrote:
What is really worrying and at times even repulsive is the implicit moral judgement that TheDoctor seems to make based on a person's wealth. One can read between the lines: the wealthy are always bad, sacks of corruption, decayed immoral criminals, abusers, BAD people; the poor are NEVER ever poor for their bad decisions or work ethic or anything, they are pure, perfect, all screwed up by the guy above.
| In his defense, it may appear that we claim that all the government does is ipso facto evil and all private sector good. If he believes this, I just wish he would justify it in some way. I certainly believe that everything done by government has some degree of evil in it, but I do not shy away from attacking private entities either. | And as you know, so do I. Evil wealthy people can be even more evil because of government's help. I don't want a corporatist world any more than TheDoc's want it. But I want no proletarian dictatorship either. And the constant idea I get from The Doc's posts is class warfare. |
Of course I'm engaged in class warfare. But the class warfare wasn't started by the middle class and the poor. The class war was begun by the wealthy elite, by taking more and more from the lower classes to line their own pockets. It's a war that has been fought time and time again. I would hope that someday, greed and lust for power will not be mankind's most apparent trait. Throughout history, the wealthy have tried to take more and more from the masses and oppress those masses until the masses strike back and regain control. Then the cycle starts again. I'm simply one of the masses who has had enough.
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Can you please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control?"
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I know it is probably hard for you to fathom, but there was history prior to America, and there will continue to be history long after we're gone. America is not the center of the universe. Where did I once mention American history?
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I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you?
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Epignosis
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32530
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:17 |
The Doctor wrote:
Epignosis wrote:
The Doctor wrote:
The T wrote:
Equality 7-2521 wrote:
The T wrote:
No, it basically aims to eliminate that power that allows government to get in bed with wealthy elitists and ubercorporations for the exclusive benefit of a few.
| To speak for me personally, libertarianism also hopes to smash down ubercorporations as JJ puts it. Yes the methods it takes differ from those of others since the market failure which allows an exploitative corporation to succeed implies the aid of government regulations or funds somewhere in the equations. I have a particular disdain for pharmaceutical companies. I think they get rich by essentially exploiting the rest of us. Attacking them is pointless though. That's like trying to destroy a tree by eating the apples. You're just letting the tree grow taller and fertilizing the tree's seeds.
The T wrote:
What is really worrying and at times even repulsive is the implicit moral judgement that TheDoctor seems to make based on a person's wealth. One can read between the lines: the wealthy are always bad, sacks of corruption, decayed immoral criminals, abusers, BAD people; the poor are NEVER ever poor for their bad decisions or work ethic or anything, they are pure, perfect, all screwed up by the guy above.
| In his defense, it may appear that we claim that all the government does is ipso facto evil and all private sector good. If he believes this, I just wish he would justify it in some way. I certainly believe that everything done by government has some degree of evil in it, but I do not shy away from attacking private entities either. | And as you know, so do I. Evil wealthy people can be even more evil because of government's help. I don't want a corporatist world any more than TheDoc's want it. But I want no proletarian dictatorship either. And the constant idea I get from The Doc's posts is class warfare. |
Of course I'm engaged in class warfare. But the class warfare wasn't started by the middle class and the poor. The class war was begun by the wealthy elite, by taking more and more from the lower classes to line their own pockets. It's a war that has been fought time and time again. I would hope that someday, greed and lust for power will not be mankind's most apparent trait. Throughout history, the wealthy have tried to take more and more from the masses and oppress those masses until the masses strike back and regain control. Then the cycle starts again. I'm simply one of the masses who has had enough.
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Can you please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control?"
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I know it is probably hard for you to fathom, but there was history prior to America, and there will continue to be history long after we're gone. America is not the center of the universe. Where did I once mention American history?
| I didn't say you mentioned American history. But I am asking about it.
You live in America. You are a proponent of government fixing things. So I am asking this: Please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control."
I answer your questions directly. Please stop avoiding mine.
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The Doctor
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: June 23 2005
Location: The Tardis
Status: Offline
Points: 8543
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:23 |
Epignosis wrote:
The Doctor wrote:
Epignosis wrote:
The Doctor wrote:
The T wrote:
Equality 7-2521 wrote:
The T wrote:
No, it basically aims to eliminate that power that allows government to get in bed with wealthy elitists and ubercorporations for the exclusive benefit of a few.
| To speak for me personally, libertarianism also hopes to smash down ubercorporations as JJ puts it. Yes the methods it takes differ from those of others since the market failure which allows an exploitative corporation to succeed implies the aid of government regulations or funds somewhere in the equations. I have a particular disdain for pharmaceutical companies. I think they get rich by essentially exploiting the rest of us. Attacking them is pointless though. That's like trying to destroy a tree by eating the apples. You're just letting the tree grow taller and fertilizing the tree's seeds.
The T wrote:
What is really worrying and at times even repulsive is the implicit moral judgement that TheDoctor seems to make based on a person's wealth. One can read between the lines: the wealthy are always bad, sacks of corruption, decayed immoral criminals, abusers, BAD people; the poor are NEVER ever poor for their bad decisions or work ethic or anything, they are pure, perfect, all screwed up by the guy above.
| In his defense, it may appear that we claim that all the government does is ipso facto evil and all private sector good. If he believes this, I just wish he would justify it in some way. I certainly believe that everything done by government has some degree of evil in it, but I do not shy away from attacking private entities either. | And as you know, so do I. Evil wealthy people can be even more evil because of government's help. I don't want a corporatist world any more than TheDoc's want it. But I want no proletarian dictatorship either. And the constant idea I get from The Doc's posts is class warfare. |
Of course I'm engaged in class warfare. But the class warfare wasn't started by the middle class and the poor. The class war was begun by the wealthy elite, by taking more and more from the lower classes to line their own pockets. It's a war that has been fought time and time again. I would hope that someday, greed and lust for power will not be mankind's most apparent trait. Throughout history, the wealthy have tried to take more and more from the masses and oppress those masses until the masses strike back and regain control. Then the cycle starts again. I'm simply one of the masses who has had enough.
|
Can you please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control?"
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I know it is probably hard for you to fathom, but there was history prior to America, and there will continue to be history long after we're gone. America is not the center of the universe. Where did I once mention American history?
|
I didn't say you mentioned American history. But I am asking about it.
You live in America. You are a proponent of government fixing things. So I am asking this: Please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control."
I answer your questions directly. Please stop avoiding mine.
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Sadly, I am unable to dispute that. How I wish I could. Sadly, I was born American instead of European, where at least greed has not completely become the religion of the countries there. The masses have never risen up to take direct control in America. That doesn't mean it can't or won't happen if things keep on the way they're going. Although, I have strong reservations about the collective intelligence of the American people and their ability to unite to oppose the corporate fascists.
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I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you?
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Epignosis
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32530
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:28 |
The Doctor wrote:
Epignosis wrote:
The Doctor wrote:
Epignosis wrote:
The Doctor wrote:
The T wrote:
Equality 7-2521 wrote:
The T wrote:
No, it basically aims to eliminate that power that allows government to get in bed with wealthy elitists and ubercorporations for the exclusive benefit of a few.
| To speak for me personally, libertarianism also hopes to smash down ubercorporations as JJ puts it. Yes the methods it takes differ from those of others since the market failure which allows an exploitative corporation to succeed implies the aid of government regulations or funds somewhere in the equations. I have a particular disdain for pharmaceutical companies. I think they get rich by essentially exploiting the rest of us. Attacking them is pointless though. That's like trying to destroy a tree by eating the apples. You're just letting the tree grow taller and fertilizing the tree's seeds.
The T wrote:
What is really worrying and at times even repulsive is the implicit moral judgement that TheDoctor seems to make based on a person's wealth. One can read between the lines: the wealthy are always bad, sacks of corruption, decayed immoral criminals, abusers, BAD people; the poor are NEVER ever poor for their bad decisions or work ethic or anything, they are pure, perfect, all screwed up by the guy above.
| In his defense, it may appear that we claim that all the government does is ipso facto evil and all private sector good. If he believes this, I just wish he would justify it in some way. I certainly believe that everything done by government has some degree of evil in it, but I do not shy away from attacking private entities either. | And as you know, so do I. Evil wealthy people can be even more evil because of government's help. I don't want a corporatist world any more than TheDoc's want it. But I want no proletarian dictatorship either. And the constant idea I get from The Doc's posts is class warfare. |
Of course I'm engaged in class warfare. But the class warfare wasn't started by the middle class and the poor. The class war was begun by the wealthy elite, by taking more and more from the lower classes to line their own pockets. It's a war that has been fought time and time again. I would hope that someday, greed and lust for power will not be mankind's most apparent trait. Throughout history, the wealthy have tried to take more and more from the masses and oppress those masses until the masses strike back and regain control. Then the cycle starts again. I'm simply one of the masses who has had enough.
|
Can you please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control?"
|
I know it is probably hard for you to fathom, but there was history prior to America, and there will continue to be history long after we're gone. America is not the center of the universe. Where did I once mention American history?
|
I didn't say you mentioned American history. But I am asking about it.
You live in America. You are a proponent of government fixing things. So I am asking this: Please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control."
I answer your questions directly. Please stop avoiding mine.
|
Sadly, I am unable to dispute that. How I wish I could. Sadly, I was born American instead of European, where at least greed has not completely become the religion of the countries there.
The masses have never risen up to take direct control in America. That doesn't mean it can't or won't happen if things keep on the way they're going. Although, I have strong reservations about the collective intelligence of the American people and their ability to unite to oppose the corporate fascists.
| So, perhaps poor Americans are poor because they are stupider than their bosses?
And yet again, you fail to address my question, and do so by bemoaning the fact that you weren't born in Europe (protip: Piss off there if you like).
Here's my question for a third time:
The Doctor wrote:
Throughout history, the wealthy have tried to take more and more
from the masses and oppress those masses until the masses strike back
and regain control. Then the cycle starts again. I'm simply one of the
masses who has had enough. |
Can you please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control?"
Edited by Epignosis - December 14 2011 at 20:30
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manofmystery
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 26 2008
Location: PA, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 4335
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:41 |
Don't waste your time with him, Epig.
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Time always wins.
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Padraic
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: February 16 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Status: Offline
Points: 31169
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:43 |
manofmystery wrote:
Don't waste your time with him, Epig. |
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Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 11 2005
Location: Philly
Status: Offline
Points: 15784
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:46 |
I hate people who think they can typify 300 million people based on their narrow experiences.
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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 11 2005
Location: Philly
Status: Offline
Points: 15784
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:46 |
Finnforest wrote:
Max just declared "Paul for Prez" on his FB page. You guys have won over the boss.
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So what you're saying is, we can do whatever we want in this thread then?
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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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King Crimson776
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 12 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 2779
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:48 |
Equality 7-2521 wrote:
King Crimson776 wrote:
The "free" market is really anything but. We've seen the fatcats exploit the loopholes in the system and lack of restrictions on their greed even to the point of them buying out politicians (such that those kept dogs are the only ones who get enough visibility to win). It plainly doesn't work. Of course, since big business has the gov't in their pockets, how can you get that gov't to bring these sociopaths to justice?! I'm afraid we'll have to go the way of Egypt and be out in the streets, a total societal boycott, in order for anything to change. Maybe we can even force companies to convert to renewable sources of energy... and for the gov't to focus on science instead of war... but I hope for too much, doubtless. It would take people on a mass scale waking the f**k up and that looks pretty distant. |
Or instead of violent revolution, maybe we can educate people about what the free market is so that they don't make statements like this.
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Where did I mention the word "violent"? If people don't protest on a mass scale nothing will change. The government won't have any incentive not to be bought off by big business.
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Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 11 2005
Location: Philly
Status: Offline
Points: 15784
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:50 |
You mentioned Egypt which had violent protests and you mentioned forcing companies. Force implies violence.
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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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King Crimson776
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 12 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 2779
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:53 |
As far as I heard Egypt's protests were fairly tame with only minor incidents, which is probably inevitable. Of course, they were even worse off so it would take a while for America to get to that point.
By "forcing" companies I mean they (and gov't) would by necessity have to give into demands or society would shut down, but it wouldn't have to involve actual violence.
Edited by King Crimson776 - December 14 2011 at 20:54
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Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 11 2005
Location: Philly
Status: Offline
Points: 15784
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:56 |
My apologies then.
I still find your statement very misguided.
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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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Finnforest
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: February 03 2007
Location: The Heartland
Status: Offline
Points: 16913
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 20:59 |
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King Crimson776
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 12 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 2779
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 21:09 |
Equality 7-2521 wrote:
My apologies then.
I still find your statement very misguided.
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Ok, but I don't see how else you could get big business to stop exploiting the gov't... there are people who are idealists and would try to change it, but I have my doubts as to whether it's even possible for them to get elected.
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The Doctor
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: June 23 2005
Location: The Tardis
Status: Offline
Points: 8543
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 21:13 |
Epignosis wrote:
The Doctor wrote:
Epignosis wrote:
The Doctor wrote:
Epignosis wrote:
The Doctor wrote:
The T wrote:
Equality 7-2521 wrote:
The T wrote:
No, it basically aims to eliminate that power that allows government to get in bed with wealthy elitists and ubercorporations for the exclusive benefit of a few.
| To speak for me personally, libertarianism also hopes to smash down ubercorporations as JJ puts it. Yes the methods it takes differ from those of others since the market failure which allows an exploitative corporation to succeed implies the aid of government regulations or funds somewhere in the equations. I have a particular disdain for pharmaceutical companies. I think they get rich by essentially exploiting the rest of us. Attacking them is pointless though. That's like trying to destroy a tree by eating the apples. You're just letting the tree grow taller and fertilizing the tree's seeds.
The T wrote:
What is really worrying and at times even repulsive is the implicit moral judgement that TheDoctor seems to make based on a person's wealth. One can read between the lines: the wealthy are always bad, sacks of corruption, decayed immoral criminals, abusers, BAD people; the poor are NEVER ever poor for their bad decisions or work ethic or anything, they are pure, perfect, all screwed up by the guy above.
| In his defense, it may appear that we claim that all the government does is ipso facto evil and all private sector good. If he believes this, I just wish he would justify it in some way. I certainly believe that everything done by government has some degree of evil in it, but I do not shy away from attacking private entities either. | And as you know, so do I. Evil wealthy people can be even more evil because of government's help. I don't want a corporatist world any more than TheDoc's want it. But I want no proletarian dictatorship either. And the constant idea I get from The Doc's posts is class warfare. |
Of course I'm engaged in class warfare. But the class warfare wasn't started by the middle class and the poor. The class war was begun by the wealthy elite, by taking more and more from the lower classes to line their own pockets. It's a war that has been fought time and time again. I would hope that someday, greed and lust for power will not be mankind's most apparent trait. Throughout history, the wealthy have tried to take more and more from the masses and oppress those masses until the masses strike back and regain control. Then the cycle starts again. I'm simply one of the masses who has had enough.
|
Can you please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control?"
|
I know it is probably hard for you to fathom, but there was history prior to America, and there will continue to be history long after we're gone. America is not the center of the universe. Where did I once mention American history?
|
I didn't say you mentioned American history. But I am asking about it.
You live in America. You are a proponent of government fixing things. So I am asking this: Please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control."
I answer your questions directly. Please stop avoiding mine.
|
Sadly, I am unable to dispute that. How I wish I could. Sadly, I was born American instead of European, where at least greed has not completely become the religion of the countries there.
The masses have never risen up to take direct control in America. That doesn't mean it can't or won't happen if things keep on the way they're going. Although, I have strong reservations about the collective intelligence of the American people and their ability to unite to oppose the corporate fascists.
|
So, perhaps poor Americans are poor because they are stupider than their bosses?
And yet again, you fail to address my question, and do so by bemoaning the fact that you weren't born in Europe (protip: Piss off there if you like).
Here's my question for a third time:
The Doctor wrote:
Throughout history, the wealthy have tried to take more and more
from the masses and oppress those masses until the masses strike back
and regain control. Then the cycle starts again. I'm simply one of the
masses who has had enough. |
Can you please show me one time in American history where "the masses" had "control?"
| The Doctor in his previous post: The masses have never risen up to take direct control in America. Had you actually bothered to read my post, instead of looking for every opportunity to attack, you would have seen that I directly answered your question. So there it is in BOLD, so you can't miss it this time. As for pissing off, I could make the same suggestion to you. However, I can tell you that the European governments don't really want us there. Gee. I wonder why. However, in the interests of peace, I will stop posting any more in any political forums as I can tell that they are overrun with libertarians and evil conservatives, and before I end up telling certain people what I really think of them. That's it. I'm out. You all can go, er, um, celebrate with yourselves now.
Edited by The Doctor - December 14 2011 at 21:18
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I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you?
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JJLehto
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 05 2006
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Status: Offline
Points: 34550
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 21:17 |
Doc is one of those leftists that give us all a bad name, I was able to tell from post one. After some BotD I have to conclude, yes. :(
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The Doctor
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: June 23 2005
Location: The Tardis
Status: Offline
Points: 8543
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 21:19 |
JJLehto wrote:
Doc is one of those leftists that give us all a bad name, I was able to tell from post one. After some BotD I have to conclude, yes. :(
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Stop trying to suck up to the righties, so you'll look cool to your friends, JJ.
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I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you?
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horsewithteeth11
Prog Reviewer
Joined: January 09 2008
Location: Kentucky
Status: Offline
Points: 24598
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Posted: December 14 2011 at 21:21 |
King Crimson776 wrote:
Equality 7-2521 wrote:
My apologies then.
I still find your statement very misguided.
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Ok, but I don't see how else you could get big business to stop exploiting the gov't... there are people who are idealists and would try to change it, but I have my doubts as to whether it's even possible for them to get elected. |
1) Kill most/all of the government's revenue 2) Kill it's printing press (the Fed) so it can't print all the money it wants and manipulate interest rates to fight off market forces. Doing both would also get rid of those pesky lobbyists because they wouldn't have any political favor to buy. That seemed simple enough.
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