Zak Douglas, three things: 1) Are you going to be using arguments from the Cato Institute on the 23rd? I think its fair-game to ask, you can ask the same of me about other think-tanks, people, politicians, philosophers, economists, polls, staticians, etc. etc. 2) You never established what political and socio-economic health policies that you support fall under: I presumed libertarianism due to what you said, but, strangely enough, you never clarified. Please do so. 3) Take a look at this post I made independent of our debate below, if you wish. Why socialist-democracies Work; Germany: (And Why Germans dont feel like they are owned or arent free, and why they have more options in life than your average 20-something) *Takes a whole month off, legally required. Whether your employer likes it or not. *Makes twice as many cars as we do, and is no bigger than New Mexico *Exports almost as much as we do, in spite of having 1/4th the population *Has significantly less of the population in prison, the U.S has 5% of the world population, 25% of the prison population (which increased to such size after we PRIVATIZED the prison industry inasmuch as our democracy would allow and inasmuch as liberal-socialists and democrats of all shades allowed or tried to prevent). *Ranks in the top 10 in physical and mental well-being, the U.S doesnt even rank in the top 30 *We have a trade deficit of 371 billion. Germany has a trade SURPLUS of 197 billion. Again, 1/4th the population and they are doing that much better. *Top 10 science programs in the world. And some of the best engineering in the world. *Their population, according to three Global Health organizations is one of the least stressed-out, most productive populations in the world. *Ranked in the top 10 best healthcare in the world (The U.S can barely break the top-40, due to capitalist policies, other countries rank lower due to anarcho-capitalist policies and libertarian ones, or outright dictatorships, which is ironic considering the political-180 of anarcho-libertarian and dictatorship, often you wind up with a similarly horrific result) And some anecdotal evidence: My dad spent 5 years in Germany, speaks the language, knows the people. Trained with their best soldiers (as a former SEAL at the time). Not a single German he met felt that their freedom was being infringed upon by their healthcare system or economic system (Which is a capitalist system) Stability balanced with freedom=more choices for everyone, even if it means less choices for a select-few (mostly at the top) This is also why I support both a MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM WAGE. Finally, Ive yet to see an anarcho-capitalist or libertarian-democratic-republic-capitalist society that is functioning in the world today. I have a list of over 15 democratic-republic-socialist countries (including the U.S, which has the worst stats due to the conflicts and political stonewalling in the government, like the historic tripling of the filibuster since Obama has been elected. Making him the most opposed president, politically, in history. How can any leader function this way? Checks and balances are put in place in countries that, while far from perfect, prevent such bullshit, same with the stomping on social-rights and civil rights) Part of being in a society means taking part in the society, giving part to that society, taking from that society if need be to get back on your feet, and that goes for everyone. Its all-inclusive and doesnt depend on a nebulous idea of freedom that has NEVER been fully realized in the unrecorded or recorded history of mankind. And at the very least, a 21st century version of this that recognizes technological integration alongside tranhumanism and a possible singularity with both geopolitics and the international economy.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 10:58:18 +0000