Posted on 05/31/2002 6:38:47 AM PDT by Phantom Lord
... "Repubicans" who bash the rich and "trickle down economics" (it's called "Capitalism" you morons).I hate that word "capitalism." What is it? A way of life, a political structure? Can we drink economic theory? If capitalism exists under our laws that doesn't make us capitalists.
It's like something bantered about here with some frequency: since the Communist Manifesto included the income tax, and since we have an income tax, we are Communists. Bad logic, and historically innacurate, anyway. But not to go there. The point is that the trait doesn't make the species.
Capitalism exists here thanks to a system of laws that protect private contract, private property, etc., and State-granted charters that allow individuals to join together for the common purposes, including the accumulation of capital. Remember that incorporation is not a natural right.
So, for example, when we throw out capitalism or the free market as a cure for the ills of Africa and China, we are not helping anyone. Lots of Capitalism in China. Not many individiual rights. I'd love to tie down Bono and lecture the idiot on what the third world really needs. We could start with sending over an honest judge.
Also, I think that to defend capitalism, or wealth, doesn't score many points in home politics, or with idiots like our plagiarist author here. We simply need to point out, as folks have here, that our liberties create jobs and make life better for all. Capitalism is - or ought to be - liberty applied, not a goal.
Back in 1912, this kind of class-warfare raged in the U.S. Capitalism was under attack. The solutions were state-control of business, to check "predatory wealth," as Teddy Roosevelt called it. The President then, William Howard Taft, replied to it all with the incredible insight:
"I have succeeded in securing the adoption of a new set of rules for equity proceedings in the United States courts. I hope to be able to secure new rules to govern proceedings at common law and if I succeed in my efforts in that direction I shall have accomplished more for so-called social justice than all the hollering and hysteria of the professional reformers could achieve in a thousand years."Your point about capitalism is well taken. I'd suggest taking it a bit further. I hope this helps.
Remember Nicollo's maxim: All Economics are Politics.
Not really. I happen to know a billionaire (yes, really). With his $1 billion net worth, an $11,000 grill is the equivalent of me buying a Coke (literally, I did the math). I don't give a second thought to buying a Coke. I don't feel like I'm splurging.
Outdoor entertainment is far easier with these things, as is regular dinner for those who have a backyard that they like relaxing in.
How are you ladies and gentlemen! ! All your base are belong to me.
Your CEO was clearly a BSSSSer and a con man.
(N.B. As to that the dysrons in the National Park Service have so little understanding of what is significant historically, that they recently agreed to make the site an apology for slavery, rather than a tribute to Washington's saving public funds. I never even realized that Washington funded his own habitation in Philadelphia before that sickening report of Federal silliness prompted me to look up what Washington's attitude at the time was.)
This was not a country based upon class envy. And those who engage in class envy ought to get the _____ (fill in the blank, as you like).
William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site
William Flax
Well, that's certainly true. Having that kind of money would give one an entirely different outlook on life. Barring extreme profligacy, the really rich have literally no worries about the mundane budgetary issues (should I spend money on food, or to get the car fixed) that drive us normal people to distraction.
I got an inkling of this "other life" one time when a mid-30s, very wealthy person asked me, "do you work?" Not where do I work, but just plain do I work?!? I was floored. LOL!
On interest alone those folks pull in monthly what I make in a year. And whereas I would have to do some serious financing to buy such an item, you're right: it's a Coke to them.
Nope. I got some sort of nonsense from something calling itself imhere. Been around since 1/31.
Well, I did the math on that too. I have to make some educated guesses about his investments, but I figured he's making over $8,200 per hour, after tax, in interest. In other words, he's making more on interest in a 24 hour period than many company executives make in a year.
It's fun to dream isn't it?
Maybe you once saw that thing about how it would actually cost Bill Gates money to stoop down and pick up a $100 bill lying on the ground, if it delayed his trip to the office by a couple of seconds.
And we plan to stay there...
Well, that's very believable. I came to the $8200 figure based on $1 billion. Multiply that by Gates' $50b and it works out that income from interst would be $113.88 after tax per second.
Hmmm,Like this is a bad thing?If you can earn it,you can spend it on whatever you want,that's what I say.I don't need an 11K Barbeque or an 11K case of wine.Money is a good thing,but 'Creating' that money (AKA taking that RISK) is much more interesting for me!That's the challenge.It also allows me the option of which charities of which I may choose to contribute my hard earned dollars.This "people who have more money than I do are bad" line of thinking is ridiculous and old,but it creeps up w/ some consistency.When I hear this,I often ask,'well,how hard are you working in your chosen profession' and 'Are you doing what you love'?That often gets people thinking.
And we plan to stay there...
You got that right! Didn't climb this mountain for nothing.
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