> This may be true, but it does not excuse the lack of sloutions proposed in
> libertarian politics. It is one thing to call something wrong, and quite
> another to come up with viable solutions. When I said destructive, I meant
> it. Punk rock was effective at dismantling music, what it didn't have was
> anything good to offer in return. What kids got now is rap - which equals
> crap. That is how I see libertarians. Angry at the system with nothing to
> replace it with, so we can just tear it down and see what sprouts.
Yes, that is probably how you see it, and as I said it's about
180 degrees from reality. It is the capitalists in the world
who have fed, sheltered, and protected the people for decades.
It is the capitalists who don't propose solutions--we built them,
and are continuing to build them. The poorest American today
is fabulously wealthy compared to 100 years ago, and precisely
because 100 years ago his ancestors were left free to build
their future and reap the rewards of their efforts. YOU are the
destructive ones, stealing HALF the productivity of the working
class and small businessmen and regulating out of business those
who would build a better future.
We're not as angry at the system--which after all has become
freer and more productive and better every year, even though it
has a long way to go--as we are angry at ignorant people like
you who are trying to destroy all the progress we've made and
are trying to make now. Yes, you are my enemy. You are fighting
against everything that has made the world a better place, and
that will make it better in the future, and I do not apologize
for pointing that out.
> Excuse me, but I am not taking any money from you. I work too,
> and damn hard.
HALF of my productivity is taken from me by force, under
laws you support. You are morally complicit in the acts of
laws you support, no less so than if you reached into my
pocket on the street. I can say that I voted against every
politician and law that supported evil, like drug laws that
imprison 1 million innocent people, and oppressive taxes
and regulations that kill the American dream. I don't
think you can say that.
> I have heard this argument over and over and over, ad nauseum. I have
> yet to see any proof that your system provides homeless people with
> shelter.
Why are you assuming that there /is/ a solution? There may
not be. I can only look at the evidence of my senses and the
history of the last century, which shows clearly to me that
the freer societies have the fewest poor, the safest streets,
and the cleanest environment; and the most controlled societies
are miserable, polluted, and oppressive. My way may not be the
ultimate solution, and I don't claim it is. But it's a hell
of a lot better than your way, which is a proven failure.
> mainly from the large polupation of mentally ill wandering the
> streets. To say they should just 'get a job' - after you feed
> them (???? though you just refused to feed ME, who you have at
> least a nodding aquaintance with) when they are unhirable without
> intervention, is heartless and also innefective. Nothing is that simple.
It is likely that a freer society /would/ intervene more and be
more helpful, because more people would be able to help. I /do/
recognize that Rand underestimated the value of blind luck in
human success, and that some poor are that way through no fault
of their own, and I have said exactly that many times (though
you seem not to want to listen to what I actually say, assuming
that I'm just a mindless Randroid). In a libertarian society,
where government is separated from geography, I would probably
choose a government that did help the unfortunate, and I would
choose one that did so efficiently and well. I would not choose
one like the US, that shut down Second Harvest food bank for
violating federal minimum wage laws by giving food to people
who helped prepare it. Real compassionate there. I wouldn't
choose one that keeps food and drug prices artificially high
with military interdictions and subsidies and patent laws. I
would choose a government that helped the unfortunate because it
is a good and compassionate thing to do, not because it is forced
on me at gunpoint.
-- Lee Daniel Crocker <lee@piclab.com> <http://www.piclab.com/lee/> "All inventions or works of authorship original to me, herein and past, are placed irrevocably in the public domain, and may be used or modified for any purpose, without permission, attribution, or notification."--LDC
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