What happens when you scrap the welfare state

Ahem, who are these "elites"? Is not oby an elite? It seems to me barry is an annointed elitist with such an inflated idea of himself that he knows whats best for Americans.

 

All of them seem to be right there with them. But let's not confuse "elite" with "elitist".

 

Eleven

Please define what you mean by ‘left’?

That doesn’t fit with the evidence of large scale industrial disputes and mass labour movements - and why right wing organisations and governments targeted such unions for attack including the torture and assassination of union leaders – here is one example amongst hundreds (if not thousands).

“At the height of the movement, workers at the largest Coca-Cola plant in Guatemala City formed a union to press the management for pay raises; they also organized a series of strikes. During the strikes, many of the laborers were severely beaten by the Ambulant Military Police and union leaders were assassinated. In February 1977, two union members were machine gunned to death directly outside of the Coca-Cola plant, after allegedly receiving death threats from the Coca-Cola company's American manager, John C. Trotter” Wiki

Folks exiting the factory gates were literally paying with their lives.

Why would you have no concern or empathy for those that suffer because of Islamic extremism or any other form of extremism?

 

The history of political though has been one of looking at power and influence and how it should be distributed and regulated. It often comes down to a balancing acts between differing concerns and interests.

To me and others the current problems in many countries is that wealth has gained to much power and influence and has to one or greater degree has unbalance systems in its favour.

 

I mean let us look at New Zealand

As the article points out “A two-parent, two-child family in the richest fifth, it is calculated, has lost 3.3 per cent of its income. But a family of the same size in the poorest fifth has lost 20.9 per cent of its income”

But in a wider context based on OECD information “in two decades from mid-1980's to mid-2000's NZ went from being one of the most equal to become one of the most unequal countries in the developed world” And “From 1980 to 2008, New Zealand’s top 1% captured 20% of total income growth”

In other words what you are getting is a redistribution of wealth to the top, such neoliberal ‘remodelling’ of systems can be good in the short term (putting money into a system can stimulate short term growth based on consumerist spending and lower wages) but it is likely to have a long term negative effect on the majority, because it is basically a vamperic system that drains wealth from the lower and middle class groups and brings about their decline.

Now hopefully in a democratic system the ill effects of such a system are recognised and voting brings about a change in direction. But there are those on the right that would love to limit that possibility by limiting the power of the democratic vote.

 

Only an elitist would think that they can control someone else's assets and income. Chances are very good that they can not control their own funds and must beg from the taxpayer themselves. Sad.

 

The state will provide the minimum amount of assistance possible to keep the appearance of legitimacy in the eyes of the majority, while funnelling as much as they can get away with to the rest of the ruling class.

 

States providing assistance opens up a huge moral can of worms. I support one child . Why pay for more? If you are so envious of the "ruling class" why don't you personally up your own income and become powerful. So , sir , my answer to you would be "up yours".

 

egg

But to me in a properly functioning democracy that should only be allowed to happen if the people allow it to happen.

The questions are then

1) if the people want it that way, why do they want it that way?

2) If the democracy is functioning as it should why is that so?

 

I think even to the casual observer, it is pretty obvious that in the US, there is not a properly functioning democracy. In truth, we seem to be a bit off the mark in Canada too, with our first past the post election system.

I don't think that the people want it that way, I just don't think they actually have the power to change it. When your choice in the elections is between a red asshole, a blue asshole, or a third party libertarian who wants to tear the whole thing down, can it really be said that you have any choice at all? Unfortunately, running for office is only feasible for those who already have wealth and power.

 

My income is just fine and I am fairly generous to others. So I actually do practice what I preach. I care about helping others. There is no reason for people to go hungry in this world of abundance.

 

egg you need to get yourself wealth and power. You seem starved. Ahem , now I know what your difficulty has been. Remember class envy = revenue sharing. Incidently , charity is a very personal and private issue. The talented capitalists in society make wonderful anonymous donations ; let me recommend Special Olympics at Christmas time. Its real easy to get on here and bitch about those "evil" successful folks. When the rubber meets the road , the bottom line is: What did you personally donate? As we see any azzhole from europe can get on here and cheer the left on to steal more from the middle class.

 

I desire no power, and need no more wealth than I currently have. We live a very comfortable life, and use our extra money to help others. Not sure where you're coming up with all of these insights about me, but they're based on fiction.

You seem like a very sad, selfish individual. I hope that some day you learn to be a little more empathetic and can learn to see the world with less of an 'us' vs. 'them' mentality.

I'll be putting you on my ignore list now and not responding to your nonsensical bullshit anymore. I'm sure that you'll have a well-thought out rebuttal to this post, but I will not see it. My loss, I'm sure.

 

egg

I agree he does come across as tragically sad case, ignorant, unthinking and unfeeling.

 

LOL. Running away. Cute. Again class envy.

 

egg

You didn't miss anything RIP posted his usual bullshit one liner.

 

RIP

Why do you post on this forum, i mean you are not interested in debate, you have absolutely nothing to contribute and you don't want to learn anything - so why?

 

Your socialist drivvle can be easily addressed with one sentance responses. Matter of fact , I'm being generous.

 

RIP

Again I’m sorry but all your post do is point to how ill informed you are, you really contribute nothing.

 

And you , super mod , are a great humanitarian.