tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918506024298353276.post8411284998616642538..comments2023-09-20T07:41:02.432-04:00Comments on Polecolaw: Classless WarfarePalermo's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09467127128993089930noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918506024298353276.post-42311280912424130942007-11-26T13:29:00.000-05:002007-11-26T13:29:00.000-05:00I am referring to capitalism as a free market mech...I am referring to capitalism as a free market mechanism with profit motive as opposed to a planned economy. That does not rule out social programs or income tax structures meant to expand a sector of the economy that would benefit all of society but not offer current profit motive incentives large enough to entice private sector participants. In short, I do not believe that a market economy must be all or nothing. We could debate each particular use of "public" funds, and would likely find agreement on many of them.Palermo's Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09467127128993089930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918506024298353276.post-51419536248706416972007-11-26T12:11:00.000-05:002007-11-26T12:11:00.000-05:00I have no difficulty in going along with the notio...I have no difficulty in going along with the notion that capitalism is good but I would ask specifically what is meant by that: no govt controls or regulations? money going to corporations and to farmers and not to the ordinary guy? tax protocls? Please tell me more specifically what you mean by capitalism. China is now capitalist--and communists run it; Many nations in Europe have social programs via govt but are capaitalist. Tell me, please.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918506024298353276.post-17463455241650758052007-11-03T16:45:00.000-04:002007-11-03T16:45:00.000-04:00Larry - I think for the first time I have nothing ...Larry - I think for the first time I have nothing to disagree with you about:-) Perhaps I will look further into the issues of poverty when time permits and we can expand on your views and our feelings.Palermo's Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09467127128993089930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8918506024298353276.post-54532320241657135582007-11-03T16:18:00.000-04:002007-11-03T16:18:00.000-04:00Mark:Poverty in this Country is, to me, unacceptab...Mark:<BR/><BR/>Poverty in this Country is, to me, unacceptable. We MUST find a way to improve the lives of the poor.<BR/><BR/>Healthcare in this Country is broken (for many many reasons) and something needs to be done to improve the health of the poor (and the middle class) - and not put them in danger of bankruptcy if a member of the family becomes seriously ill.<BR/><BR/>I wish I could tell you I know HOW to do this. I don't.<BR/><BR/>I also believe in many of the philosophies of Ayn Rand, so I'm concerned about any policy that provides uniform support based on some level of poverty. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps a program that requires some type of work together with a program offering services, to those who meet some type of standards, at a discount. There should also be some structure that would encourage them to improve their situation through incentivization.<BR/><BR/>Education should also be an important part of any such program.<BR/><BR/>Healthcare is a much more difficult nut to crack.<BR/><BR/>Now that I've said all that, I would caution you in using <I>averages</I> in your calculations. I doubt the poor are spending as much on housing, entertainment, or charitable contributions (as well as some of the other cited items) as the averages would indicate. A more relevant number would be the median (which would still only identify what they might aspire to), but I don't know if that's available.<BR/><BR/>Capitalism is, in my opinion, the best approach to economic policy. We need to make it more compassionate to those who fall on hard times.Lawrence D. Loebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05600981191177652648noreply@blogger.com