[Stonemason]

Actually, the United States was not intended to be a democracy, but a republic. Democracy is mob rule (51% rule 49%), arguably one of the worst methods of herding people around. The Constitution along with the Bill of Rights were ostensibly purposed to avoid this outcome. Then a few industrialist-bankers hijacked the system and took control of the propaganda spouts (education, marketing, tv, etc) bought the houses of government, and their corporations removed their prior charter-based (public service based) existance after the Civil War (arguably the purpose to remove the agrarian non-industrialised opportunity the south had remaining).

Among that propaganda is the idea that the US is a democracy, perhaps because of all the hubris special interest groups bring to the table.

[americandream]

stonemason

In bowing to the vested interest of landowners (who invariably are to be found in the ranks of industrial investors) with the advent of unpaid agricultural labour (slavery), early America struck a Faustian bargain with the father of social decay, kleptocracy. One cannot compromise the quest for freedom and liberty without losing one's own freedom and liberty. Nothing less than Dickensian poverty will ignite the flames of your country's radical beginnings unfortunately.

[VMarcHart]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Kristen', 'C')apitalism is ... full of greed and its stratagem seems to end with one holding all of the cards, dictating the world...

[KrellEnergySource]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Stonemason', 'D')emocracy is mob rule (51% rule 49%), arguably one of the worst methods of herding people around. The Constitution along with the Bill of Rights were ostensibly purposed to avoid this outcome.

[rangerone314]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('KrellEnergySource', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Stonemason', 'D')emocracy is mob rule (51% rule 49%), arguably one of the worst methods of herding people around. The Constitution along with the Bill of Rights were ostensibly purposed to avoid this outcome.

[SeaGypsy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dsula', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('VMarcHart', ' ')As for punishing the slacker ... wait until you are not physically able to work, which can happen to everyone.

[Stonemason]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rangerone314', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('KrellEnergySource', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Stonemason', 'D')emocracy is mob rule (51% rule 49%), arguably one of the worst methods of herding people around. The Constitution along with the Bill of Rights were ostensibly purposed to avoid this outcome.

[Kristen]

Well one thing is for sure, we have the power to make a new system. If we have the intellect to create electricity, computers, space travel and so many awesome things, why can't we apply it to a social system. Perhaps it will evolve by itself. To be bleak our next chapter will be the craigslist era. Instead of buying a set of new tires, or a new phone, you can trade or buy it at a fourth of the cost! I have hope that people will one day wake up and not purchase a thirty dollar shirt when it cost two cents to make with slave labor. The age of comfortality is over.

[Stonemason]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dsula', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('VMarcHart', ' ')As for punishing the slacker ... wait until you are not physically able to work, which can happen to everyone.

[americandream]

Checks and balances are only as good as their socio-economic basis. Societies based on private title over commonwealth will naturally gravitate towards established hierarchies with all that entails in terms of political power. As naturally as night follows day.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Stonemason', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rangerone314', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('KrellEnergySource', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Stonemason', 'D')emocracy is mob rule (51% rule 49%), arguably one of the worst methods of herding people around. The Constitution along with the Bill of Rights were ostensibly purposed to avoid this outcome.

[Thralen]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Kristen', 'W')ell one thing is for sure, we have the power to make a new system. If we have the intellect to create electricity, computers, space travel and so many awesome things, why can't we apply it to a social system.

[Kristen]

Actually computers were invented to calculate missle ranges, not to make a profit. Space travel was invented to explore the universe and electricity was made to make life easier for mankind. The whole idea that you need a material incentive to work hard is not true. Take starvation for example. If we go back a few thousand years your argument does not apply to those who hunted and invented tools to be more effecient. Unless you consider the more food as profit. But the way I read your response, you were only referring to materialism which may mean wealth to some.... The wise however know weallth comes from within

[americandream]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Thralen', 'Y')ou may knock capitalism but in a roaring, healthy, capitalist society innovation and invention run rampant. People are built that way, they put more effort into something that benefits themselves than into something that doesn't. So when there are tangible rewards for their efforts they put their utmost effort into something. Seemingly they put less effort into those things that have no tangible reward for themselves.

Thralen

[VMarcHart]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Thralen', 'Y')ou may knock capitalism but in a roaring, healthy, capitalist society innovation and invention run rampant. People are built that way, they put more effort into something that benefits themselves than into something that doesn't. So when there are tangible rewards for their efforts they put their utmost effort into something. Seemingly they put less effort into those things that have no tangible reward for themselves.

[Thralen]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')ctually computers were invented to calculate missle ranges, not to make a profit.

[SeaGypsy]

Thralen, just calm down. AD was being brief and technically critical of the possible interpretations of your post. Possibly there was an anal retentiveness to his retort but in defense of the lurkers it's best not to over react to clarification.

[Thralen]

SeaGypsy: That was a calm critique. You wouldn't want to read the non-calm version, even PO forum would probably edit or delete it as filled with disgust, contempt and sarcasm as it would be. I won't continue for now but to repeat that that was the calm version.

Thralen

[americandream]

Thralen

1 We do not use a "z" in that context in British English.

2 I ask you again. How will any future capitalist system resource itself on a finite planet. Hard facts please, not vague opinions.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') take it that you are one of those who believes that we shall colonise the universe, time travel or synthesise the wherewithal for an indefinite Walmart style consumption out of the thin air? Perhaps you have some fixed state of wealth creation in mind.

[americandream]

For the edification of all those who aren't otherwise aware. British English and the variant spoken in America; they are not quite the same:

English[edit] Alternative spellingssynthesize (US)
[edit] VerbInfinitive
to synthesise
Third person singular
synthesises
Simple past
synthesised
Past participle
synthesised
Present participle
synthesising


to synthesise (third-person singular simple present synthesises, present participle synthesising, simple past and past participle synthesised)

(transitive) To combine two or more things to produce a new, more complex product.
(intransitive, of two or more things) To be combined producing a new, more complex product.
(transitive, chemistry) To produce a substance by chemical synthesis.
(intransitive, chemistry, of a substance) To be produced a by chemical synthesis.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/synthesise

[Thralen]

Americandream: Strangely enough, I prefer to use the appropriate version of English for where the board is hosted. Which is American English. I am well aware that the two languages, while similar, are actually different (Bloody Wanker!).

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'H')ow will any future capitalist system resource itself on a finite planet. Hard facts please, not vague opinions.