Quote:
Originally posted by narwhal
Have you ever enjoyed where you live, or where anyone else lives?
|
Immensely. My own country is unrivaled in it's standard of living, low crime rates, tolerance, and economic future. I feel strongly it's the finest balance of systems, including the ability for someone to succeed and fail, as well as the fair treatment of those unable to fend for themselves. The welfare-state compromise has worked well in Canada, with tremendous post war prosperity and much smoother boom/bust cycles.
Quote:
Originally posted by narwhal
Don't give me advice about fighting your battles. I NEVER made any reference to abolishing the expression of dissent--to the contrary, I say it is less tolerated in whatever utopian community you currently daydream or study about. You can't keep everyone equal if people are allowed to dissent would be my guess why political prisoners abound in (read labels closely) socialist and communist states. Rally around whatever you want to--I will and have always done the same.
|
This is true, and that is why I feel that we must not seek to create that society. Those states are created/managed/held in frameworks that have little compromise or adaptation. They are mired in ideology and not practical usage of ideas. When I see us adopting the techniques of totalitarian police states (as in oppression of dissent) I hope that we might recognize the error, and stop it before we drive down the wrong path. It's not right to say "they oppress dissent MORE than we do, so we're right." It's better to say "they oppress dissent, and we should not."
Quote:
Originally posted by narwhal
...whatever utopian community you currently daydream or study about.
|
Study, yes, daydream, no. We must study to understand and work to make our own society better. I have never professed to liking or wanting to be like any society than the one I live in. I merely wish to preserve my own, and even improve it if possible.
Quote:
Originally posted by narwhal
Or have all your opinions turned negative because the executive branch of the most powerful nations in the world collectively overrode your personal position on the most recent military conflict?
|
My opinions are not negative. I love my own nation, and cherish our high standard of living. My personal position on the Gulf War II has nothing to do with it. As an aside, I debated both sides in an attempt to better seek my own position, but remained pretty much in the middle throughout. I realized the need for the war and the want to gain control, but understood the want for a peaceful solution at the same time. The true problem was of course the insane dictator in charge. Saddam created his own demise.
Quote:
Originally posted by narwhal
Who is headed for an extreme state?? I will anxiously await the armaggedon of the masses rising up and smiting us greedy misguided soles.
|
I won't wait for that. Why? I realize you're being sarcastic, but you don't think that increasing the wealth gap to an extreme point in Western culture might create a "revolution" consisting mostly of crime? Look to Peru as an example. They have a capitalist society with little welfare-state. They have rich and poor and little in between. The wealthy live in armed camps and fear being in public. Violent crime is the norm, not the exception. Shouldn't we be diligent in ensuring we don't adopt policies that would end us up there?
Quote:
Originally posted by narwhal
However, I will not dwell on and pontificate this impending destruction while wearing a tweed jacket and smoking a pipe, I will continue to work, create jobs for others, help the underserved and take pride in my chosen country.
|
This is where we agree completely. Action! Deeds not words. Though academia is my chosen profession, I do not wear a tweed jacket, I don't pontificate uselessly, or smoke a pipe. I roll up my sleeves and jump in. Glad to hear you do too.