14 Jul 06
There is no such thing as communism. It's now just and idea.
Russia is full of capitalism for profit and gang-like crime usually found in the west due to the high profit potential.
China is now all about capitalism and private industry for profit.
North Korea is a sad liitle remnant with a sad little leader with a sad little hairdo. 😲
Communism is dead, so bugger off! 😀
14 Jul 06
Originally posted by marinakatombI don't know if I agree with what you say about Lenin, but to answer your first question, you won't be surprised to hear that I do think communism can come about.
DO you think it is possible for 'true communism' to come about? It seems to me Russia fell into the same trap that British democracy fell into. The population was not ready for a system that had no figure head or Leader and ended up putting the King back on the throne after countless lives were lost removing him in the first place. Lenin ended up as a commie Tsar and nothing much changed except the peasants starved more than usual...
I don't think it will be easy, but capitalism cannot continue for ever - it will run out of resources and markets.
14 Jul 06
Originally posted by Redmikegrin...
I don't know if I agree with what you say about Lenin, but to answer your first question, you won't be surprised to hear that I do think communism can come about.
I don't think it will be easy, but capitalism cannot continue for ever - it will run out of resources and markets.
And you don't see mr. branson and his type already moving off planet to form civilizations that will have unlimited resources and no limits for at least ten thousand years. Space is a big place. Lots of resources. Not a lot of interference from mindless boobs.
Why am I not surprised that you miss the obvious? Commies have all the imagination of a cabbage fart at a central committee dinner meeting.
14 Jul 06
Originally posted by RedmikeAs long as there are two people and they possess something which they can voluntarily trade - value for value - free from coercion and gummint intervention, there will be capitalism.
I don't know if I agree with what you say about Lenin, but to answer your first question, you won't be surprised to hear that I do think communism can come about.
I don't think it will be easy, but capitalism cannot continue for ever - it will run out of resources and markets.
14 Jul 06
Originally posted by RedmikeThose who aspire to make communism work always seem to require that human greed be eliminated as a precondition/side affect of the transition to communism.
I don't know if I agree with what you say about Lenin, but to answer your first question, you won't be surprised to hear that I do think communism can come about.
I don't think it will be easy, but capitalism cannot continue for ever - it will run out of resources and markets.
Of course if we eliminate greed and selfishness, not only will communism work, but so will capitalism, facism, etc.
14 Jul 06
Originally posted by techsouthCapitalism cannot exit without greed.
Those who aspire to make communism work always seem to require that human greed be eliminated as a precondition/side affect of the transition to communism.
Of course if we eliminate greed and selfishness, not only will communism work, but so will capitalism, facism, etc.
14 Jul 06
Originally posted by techsouthYou are entirely wrong. If you eliminate "greed" or healthy self-interest, capitalism does not exist. Capitalism is dedicated to gaining for ones self.
Those who aspire to make communism work always seem to require that human greed be eliminated as a precondition/side affect of the transition to communism.
Of course if we eliminate greed and selfishness, not only will communism work, but so will capitalism, facism, etc.
A kind and caring person who makes money and returns it to society is a philanthropist. Not a capitalist.
The thing is... you can trust a capitalist. You can't trust a philanthropist. Because? It is self evident. The trust you build with a capitalist is ALWAYS based on mutual respect and earned admiration.
What kind of trust can you get from a socialist who sees nothing in the individual but a means to self-agrandize through social contracting?
A social contract by definition cares nothing for the individual.
Truth be known, and only in my opinion, we need both capitalists and philanthropists.
Bill Gates isn't a capitalist. He is a philanthropist. This allows him to stiff his customers at a whim if he chooses to "ignore" issues and governments.
The Walton family are capitalists. They pay a stiff price up front for their honesty and lack of ego. But I will trust them no end over billy boy.
14 Jul 06
Originally posted by StarValleyWyI agree with most of what you say. However, I would not consider it "greed" to want to put food on the table, a roof over one's head, and send ones kids to college.
You are entirely wrong. If you eliminate "greed" or healthy self-interest, capitalism does not exist. Capitalism is dedicated to gaining for ones self.
A kind and caring person who makes money and returns it to society is a philanthropist. Not a capitalist.
The thing is... you can trust a capitalist. You can't trust a philanthropist. Because? It ...[text shortened]... e up front for their honesty and lack of ego. But I will trust them no end over billy boy.
Perhaps Wall Street becomes a very different place with no greed, but capitalism is still capitalism whether or not anyone is busting their butts to get rich. If our policy is that one keeps the fruit of his own labor, it does not require anyone getting filthy rich to count this as capitalism.
14 Jul 06
Originally posted by RedmikePerhaps the capitalism does not thrive without greed, but it can certainly exist.
Capitalism cannot exit without greed.
If the government maintains a system in which a person keeps the fruit of his own labor, that is capitalism with or without the fuel called "greed".
14 Jul 06
3 edits
Originally posted by techsouthCan't argue with you on any of that.
I agree with most of what you say. However, I would not consider it "greed" to want to put food on the table, a roof over one's head, and send ones kids to college.
Perhaps Wall Street becomes a very different place with no greed, but capitalism is still capitalism whether or not anyone is busting their butts to get rich. If our policy is that one kee ...[text shortened]... of his own labor, it does not require anyone getting filthy rich to count this as capitalism.
Like all forms of wealth, the rules vary as a function of quantity.
Small capitalists are my kind of people because? I am a small capitalist. Big capitalists employ small capitalists and bigger ones own the companies of medium level capitalists... etc.
In the end it becomes a matter of the Individual vs. the tyranny of the social gangs. The gangs are dangerous because by definition they are generally pack animals without a lot of brains or energy.
I hate that greed is what keeps the packs of socialist wolves at bay. But what can one do? Give up and become a gangster?