Hydromyster
Ambivalence
Shut the fuck up Donnie!
Lowaicue
英語在香港
As is so often the case this thread has degenerated into childish name calling and willy waving. The thread was about the rich getting richer so lets get back to that shall we?
The rich get richer, of that there is no doubt, but the ethics and morals of that fact are what is under question. I don't think that even the most rabid right wingers can deny that money equals power. Power and control has always been man's greatest motivation (generality. I know YOU are not like that nor is you buddy in the wheeled mansion on the next site). People like the feeling of being in control. Money is the surregate for power that alludes most people.
People will kill, and have killed, for power. From the leadership of nations to the leadership of gangs. Man does not relinquish power easily. Money is the same. Not all money. Not a million dollars, but mega bucks. When a man has accumulated more money than he needs and more money than his family needs for their future the driving force becomes simply greed and control. It is here that society should draw the line. Once the motivation for aquisition becomes power, control and greed then you can guarantee that sociopathic tendencies will raise their heads.
Now Mr Fatcat will use his wealth to pervert the course of justice, to avoid his social responsiblities, to manipulate politicians.
There is a level of riches that places the owner above the law (which, incidentally, he was partly responsible for forming.)
You cant take Mr. Fatcat to court, you can't sue him, you cant bring the law down upon him! YOU don't have the money! He will employ lawyers who fawn at his feet to avoid, evade, cheat and lie his way out of guilt. With appeals, secret handshakes, bribes, etc etc etc he will win. He will ALWAYS win.
Smart? Sure he's smart. Napoleon was smart. Hitler was smart. Lenin, Mao, Stalin, Castro were smart. Ghaddaffi was smart.
Together those evil few were responsible for more suffering than any similar sized group in history.
The rich get richer? Sure the rich get richer. And if we, the non rich, do not treat every action as if it is made in the innocence of a child we, our children and our grandchildren will be condemned to remain in comparative discomfort despite our hard work, fine ethics and charitable thoughts.
For that reason, those who would kowtow before the Fatcats, defend and follow them in the ridiculous hope that one day a crumb will fall from their overladen tables and that they can rescue that crumb from the slobbering maws of the other curs that slink and whine while unseen chains tie them to theier subservience, must be educated and brought struggling back into the reality of this world.
Its not only that the rich get richer but
THE POOR GET POORER
Note:
The rich get richer, of that there is no doubt, but the ethics and morals of that fact are what is under question. I don't think that even the most rabid right wingers can deny that money equals power. Power and control has always been man's greatest motivation (generality. I know YOU are not like that nor is you buddy in the wheeled mansion on the next site). People like the feeling of being in control. Money is the surregate for power that alludes most people.
People will kill, and have killed, for power. From the leadership of nations to the leadership of gangs. Man does not relinquish power easily. Money is the same. Not all money. Not a million dollars, but mega bucks. When a man has accumulated more money than he needs and more money than his family needs for their future the driving force becomes simply greed and control. It is here that society should draw the line. Once the motivation for aquisition becomes power, control and greed then you can guarantee that sociopathic tendencies will raise their heads.
Now Mr Fatcat will use his wealth to pervert the course of justice, to avoid his social responsiblities, to manipulate politicians.
There is a level of riches that places the owner above the law (which, incidentally, he was partly responsible for forming.)
You cant take Mr. Fatcat to court, you can't sue him, you cant bring the law down upon him! YOU don't have the money! He will employ lawyers who fawn at his feet to avoid, evade, cheat and lie his way out of guilt. With appeals, secret handshakes, bribes, etc etc etc he will win. He will ALWAYS win.
Smart? Sure he's smart. Napoleon was smart. Hitler was smart. Lenin, Mao, Stalin, Castro were smart. Ghaddaffi was smart.
Together those evil few were responsible for more suffering than any similar sized group in history.
The rich get richer? Sure the rich get richer. And if we, the non rich, do not treat every action as if it is made in the innocence of a child we, our children and our grandchildren will be condemned to remain in comparative discomfort despite our hard work, fine ethics and charitable thoughts.
For that reason, those who would kowtow before the Fatcats, defend and follow them in the ridiculous hope that one day a crumb will fall from their overladen tables and that they can rescue that crumb from the slobbering maws of the other curs that slink and whine while unseen chains tie them to theier subservience, must be educated and brought struggling back into the reality of this world.
Its not only that the rich get richer but
THE POOR GET POORER
Note:
Dixie - In Memoriam
New member
Now that we have that settled, let's focus on the last part of your sentence. There is nothing to indicate a wealthy person is any more or less ethical or moral than a person who is poor. Is it immoral for me to demand the highest price I can get for my talent, skill or expertise? Is it unethical for me to gain more knowledge or have more drive and determination to succeed in my field? Are these attributes indicative of greed or dishonesty? Is it wrong for people to take risks in order to obtain more wealth?
You make the statement that money equals power... well, are we better off in a society where no individual has power? Where all decisions and choices are made by the central government, and we simply follow the mandates set forth by them? Is that kind of society more appealing to you? Would we be better off in a not-so-free society, where an individual could never achieve such a status as to have power? Because, this is the 'ends' to your idiotic line of thinking, if you demonize wealth acquisition and power, what is the logical result? We all end up poor and powerless? Is that what you want? Would that make you happy?
Dixie - In Memoriam
New member
This goes to the root of the flaw with liberal socialist thinking. Libs want to believe that financial success and achievement equates to greed, corruption, and dishonesty. They begin every argument, and frame every debate, around that specific line of ill-formed thought. Financial achievement and success are a byproduct of a free and open society. Liberals believe that we'd all be better off if everyone had the same power, and we were all equal financially... but the problem is, that is a fantasy dream. Regardless of whether you establish a free enterprise society like we have here, or a Socialist totalitarian state-driven society like Commies want... there is still power, corruption, greed, dishonesty... it doesn't go away. Now... who do you suppose, has the control of all the power/money, when the masses are all "made equal?" Only one entity remains, the controlling government. So, through implementing this Utopian liberal worldview, it simply creates a power vacuum, which is promptly filled by what will become the "ruling class" ....men still have power...
Lowaicue
英語在香港
I am not sure whether you are deliberately misconstruing what I said or whether you genuinely do not understand.
There is no argument for the fact that money represents power. It always has been and it always will be. Power comes, as does money, in small amounts and large. Your particular power may allow you to choose between trainers and hockey boots while mine might enable me to influence the law. Both are power which may be represented by money.
All people take risks, of course, and nowhere have I suggested, nor would I suggest, that risk taking is not a normal human pursuit. I wonder though if you understand how risk works when your power influences the law (written or unwritten).
Lets look at an actual case. It involved a small contractor subbing for a large contractor. The 'small' contractor was, by the standards of what you call 'mom and pop' businesses quite large, but the maincon could have eaten him and spat out the bones.
When the smaller of the two companies had finished his work he discovered that the maincon was disputing the agreed payment amount and terms. After about a year of exchanging solicitors letters they went to court where the small company won.
The large company appealed.
Because the case was, to all intents and purposes, clear cut, they went back to court. Once again the small company won. Once again the large company appealed.
Now the small company had spent almost as much as they were owed in legal fees. Nevertheless, armed with 'right on their side' they went back. The case was extended and extended until the small company had no choice but to walk away and lose. It declared bankrupcy shortly afterwards. The chief engineer was a friend of mine. He was one of the last to go.
Now, I might have a few minor details wrong or in the wrong order, but I have used it to show you how, just as power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely so can and does money. NOT ALL money, but enough money to give unfair and often exploitative advantage.
The Koch brothers, of whom I know very little, might have built their business by dint of skill and risk taking. but having done so they allow corruption to take over and, with enough money to allow comfort to them and theirs for generations, are still intent on cheating and manipulating the less well off of America.
Sorry. Must break off there. Tea time.
Dixie - In Memoriam
New member
I haven't misconstrued anything, I am merely taking your line of thinking to the logical ends. If you believe that all power is bad and evil, and men shouldn't have it, then you must believe we should all become powerless. Yes, money does represent power, but power can be used for all kinds of things, good and bad. Money may equate to benevolence or charity... not just power and greed.
Money and power can represent jobs and prosperity, expansion of business, entrepreneurship and commerce. Are these BAD things in your mind? Should we have less of this? Fewer people who are able to do this sort of "evil" thing? Would humans be better off if no one was able to prosper and succeed? When you finish having your tea, perhaps you can enlighten me on this, I am curious.
Lowaicue
英語在香港
You clearly do not understand. I cannot be bothered to pursue this any further.
Dixie - In Memoriam
New member
Lowaicue
英語在香港
Just to put you right, old chap. I do not have a lot of time and you are quite a long way down my list of priorities. You come below my grandaughter who surprised us by making and serving scones, strawberry jam and cream, you come below my wife who wanted to share a movie with me, you come below an ex student who was confused about sentence construction, you come below a uni 2nd year who came to ask advice about his European studies. You come below eating. You come below drinking. you come way below taking a leak. You come below watching the news. You come below speaking to a lady friend on MSN. In fact, while you may think I care to argue with you, the truth is I don't give a shit about you or your views and you are a brief diversion in a much more interesting day.
So, be my guest. LOL as much as you like. Score a point as much as you like. Dribble and drool as much as you like, but dont mistake me for anyone who gives a shit about whether you live or die.
Lowaicue
英語在香港
I am glad you think so much of yourself. You are clearly unique in that rgard.
Lowaicue
英語在香港
And now, with your permission, of course, I am going to my local where I will meet with friends, watch footy and have a couple of beers.
Have a nice day.
What would you have done differently Top dude?
I have had the exact same thing happen serveral times.
You are very quick with a critisim but pretty slow with an explanation.
G
Guns Guns Guns
Guest
LOL, when Dixtard was called on his claim that welfare cheats get $140K a year, he surrendered.
Later he dredged up 1 story - from 11 years ago - alleging that a Pennsylvania woman may have cheated the system for a total of $140 K in food stamps and cash over 10 years.
When that was pointed out, he claimed it was "off track".
But he doesn't consider that "surrender".
Of course, he doesn't think the Confederacy lost the fight to enslave Blacks, does he?
Later he dredged up 1 story - from 11 years ago - alleging that a Pennsylvania woman may have cheated the system for a total of $140 K in food stamps and cash over 10 years.
When that was pointed out, he claimed it was "off track".
But he doesn't consider that "surrender".
Of course, he doesn't think the Confederacy lost the fight to enslave Blacks, does he?
Dixie - In Memoriam
New member
Anytime some of the rest of you chuckle-heads want to tackle this one, go for it! LowIQ had too many 'important priorities' or I am sure he would have explained the hell out of it all to me! So, if the rest of you aren't too utterly chicken shit to debate and discuss the topic of your own pinhead thread, then we can do so... else find your own 'more important priorities' and bow out, like Low...or be even LOWER than Low, and continue to try to divert or hijack the thread.... I leave it up to you!
G
Guns Guns Guns
Guest
Since it's my thread, you telling me what I can or can't do in it seems kind of socialist.
Where are those examples of $140K @ year welfare cheats?
Or is Dixie surrendering again?
Hard to do much contracting without a contract don't ya think?
When I show up in court with my one Boston lawyer and XYZ Giantass Corp shows up with their three New York Lawyers, who do you think wins?
Naturaly there can be a lot more to it than that, but I think you can see the possibilities.
Hydromyster
Ambivalence
There are many who think very highly of him... although some of them, he leads to a cliff... you know, because that way they push back...
Post your favorite "Image of Sheep" here.. :challengeaccepted:
Post your favorite "Image of Sheep" here.. :challengeaccepted: