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Author Topic:   Extremism. Where is the logic?
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 1 of 24 (800877)
03-01-2017 2:36 PM


Political/Philosophical Differences
I wish to start a topic on political extremism. By this I mean either far Left or far Right political ideology. There are several questions which I initially have--more can be added later.
First, let us define (and come to a consensus) regarding terminology and definitions.
Also, why is it that one extreme or the other is "bad" or "evil" while the other side is noble and pure?
If humans are all basically the same, does it make any sense that one-half choose evil and the other half choose good?
Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
"as long as chance rules, God is an anachronism."~Arthur Koestler

Replies to this message:
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Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 2 of 24 (800914)
03-01-2017 11:47 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Phat
03-01-2017 2:36 PM


Re: Political/Philosophical Differences
What I really want is an explanation of why the Left is bad and the Right is good.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
"as long as chance rules, God is an anachronism."~Arthur Koestler

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Phat, posted 03-01-2017 2:36 PM Phat has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by Dr Adequate, posted 03-02-2017 12:46 AM Phat has replied
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Dr Adequate
Member (Idle past 284 days)
Posts: 16113
Joined: 07-20-2006


Message 3 of 24 (800915)
03-02-2017 12:46 AM
Reply to: Message 2 by Phat
03-01-2017 11:47 PM


Re: Political/Philosophical Differences
What I really want is an explanation of why the Left is bad and the Right is good.
Because we gave our hearts to Satan? It's what I heard.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by Phat, posted 03-01-2017 11:47 PM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 4 by Phat, posted 03-02-2017 3:29 AM Dr Adequate has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 4 of 24 (800919)
03-02-2017 3:29 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by Dr Adequate
03-02-2017 12:46 AM


I Stand For The Working Class...
I'm not convinced that Jesus would have been more right than left. In Acts, when everyone laid their possessions at the Apostles feet (except Ananias and Saphira) the action itself was voluntary...though honesty was required. Today's left believes in taxing the possessions out of the wealthy...while the far right supports voluntary charity---which keeps many a 501 C 3 afloat.
I don't believe that the government should legislate morality, although a case could be made that its the only way that adequate charity for the poor will ever occur.
This is what Wiki defines Right and Left to be:
quote:
The terms left-wing and right-wing are widely used in the United States but, as on the global level, there is no firm consensus about their meaning. The only aspect that is generally agreed upon is that they are the defining opposites of the United States political spectrum. Left and right in the U.S. are generally associated with liberal and conservative respectively, although the meanings of the two sets of terms do not entirely coincide. Depending on the political affiliation of the individual using them, these terms can be spoken with varying implications. A 2005 poll of 2,209 American adults showed that "respondents generally viewed the paired concepts liberals and left-wingers and conservatives and right-wingers as possessing, respectively, generally similar political beliefs", but also showed that around ten percent fewer respondents understood the terms left and right than understood the terms liberal and conservative.[49]
The contemporary Left in the United States is usually understood as a category that includes New Deal social-liberals (in contrast to traditions of social democracy more common to Western Europe), Rawlsian liberals, and civil libertarians, who are often identified with the Democratic Party. In general, the term left-wing is understood to imply a commitment to egalitarianism, support for social policies that appeal to the working class, and multiculturalism. The contemporary center-left usually defines itself as promoting government regulation of business, commerce and industry; protection of fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion; and government intervention on behalf of racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities and the working class.
The reason I oppose the far left is because I disagree with forced government regulation to an excessive degree. I'll decide whether or not to rebuild the infrastructure...and in my mind, the wealthy should pay most of it.
On the other hand, I oppose the far right because I don't want forced morality either. I think there should be a cap on how wealthy people can get without being taxed. I am against excessive inheritance taxes, but would not mind seeing them on estates over one million dollars. In other words, I will admit that I favor my working class over either the rich or the poor. We need the tax break. We need an opportunity to retire with $100,000.00-$999,000.00 Anything over a million can rebuild the infrastructure.
As most of you know, I am a union steward. I favor union wages...the corporations want better executive pay and cheaper worker pay. I believe that every nickel of profit is earned through the workers...whereas they would assert that it is a contract between the customer and the corporation.
Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
"as long as chance rules, God is an anachronism."~Arthur Koestler

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Dr Adequate, posted 03-02-2017 12:46 AM Dr Adequate has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 5 by Rrhain, posted 03-02-2017 6:55 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied
 Message 7 by ringo, posted 03-02-2017 11:21 AM Phat has replied

  
Rrhain
Member
Posts: 6351
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Joined: 05-03-2003


(1)
Message 5 of 24 (800928)
03-02-2017 6:55 AM
Reply to: Message 4 by Phat
03-02-2017 3:29 AM


Re: I Stand For The Working Class...
Phat writes:
quote:
The reason I oppose the far left is because I disagree with forced government regulation to an excessive degree.
Couple of things:
1) You have an unstated assumption: That you're being forced.
You're not. You agreed to the social contract when you accepted citizenship in this country. If you don't like the social contract, you have many options: You can change your mind and learn to like it, you can dislike it and merely gripe about it, you can work to change it (we have these things called "elections"...perhaps you've heard of them?) you can ignore them and pay the penalty for doing so, or you can leave.
But you are not being "forced" in any way. You agreed to the constitutional mandate our government has to engage in these programs when you agreed to be a citizen.
This is Libertarian claptrap and that way lies madness.
2) You seem to want all the benefits without any of the responsibilities. You want the feels of doing right by others without actually having to do anything to, you know, do right by them. Notice how quickly you dismiss this very point:
a case could be made that its the only way that adequate charity for the poor will ever occur.
Social Security is the most successful anti-poverty program this country has ever seen. It is proof positive that government action is sometimes the only thing that works.
Again, this is Libertarian claptrap and that way lies madness.
quote:
I'll decide whether or not to rebuild the infrastructure
No, WE will decide whether or not to rebuild the infrastructure. You seem to be confused, thinking that you are an island and that you and you alone get to choose. Instead, we live in a democracy and we get to determine how we will support our collective needs. It's right there in that Constitution that you hear so many people claiming to revere: We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
What did you think that meant? Again, going back to my first point: If you don't like the social contract that you signed by accepting citizenship, you have many options: You can work to change it, ignore it and accept the consequences, or leave.
quote:
I am against excessive inheritance taxes, but would not mind seeing them on estates over one million dollars.
You do understand that the current amount for which tax on inheritance starts is $5.45M, yes? That it will be $5.49M next year? That the average rate is only 16.5%?
And that this affects only about 11,000 estates? Of which only about 5,200 are taxable? And that of those 11,000, only about 1,000 are regarding businesses/farms of which only about 370 are taxable?
This leads to a question: Why is this such a prominent issue? Who told you that it was a problem? I'm reminded of a similar question: Who told you that you were naked? The current tax policy only affects people earning more than 5 times what you think should be the threshold and affects a miniscule portion of the population.
But to your original question: It's just a variation on tribalism.

Rrhain

Thank you for your submission to Science. Your paper was reviewed by a jury of seventh graders so that they could look for balance and to allow them to make up their own minds. We are sorry to say that they found your paper "bogus," specifically describing the section on the laboratory work "boring." We regret that we will be unable to publish your work at this time.

Minds are like parachutes. Just because you've lost yours doesn't mean you can use mine.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by Phat, posted 03-02-2017 3:29 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
1.61803
Member (Idle past 1504 days)
Posts: 2928
From: Lone Star State USA
Joined: 02-19-2004


Message 6 of 24 (800963)
03-02-2017 10:18 AM
Reply to: Message 2 by Phat
03-01-2017 11:47 PM


Re: Political/Philosophical Differences
Hi Phat,
There is no answer. It is subjective and as variable as there are people.
If your hanging out with Liberals then you'll hear how evil the fascist pubs are.
If your hanging out with conservatives you'll hear how evil the smelly tree hugging left is.
Republicans want to change the world as they think it should be.
Democrats want to change the world as they think it could be.

"You were not there for the beginning. You will not be there for the end. Your knowledge of what is going on can only be superficial and relative" William S. Burroughs

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by Phat, posted 03-01-2017 11:47 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(1)
Message 7 of 24 (800971)
03-02-2017 11:21 AM
Reply to: Message 4 by Phat
03-02-2017 3:29 AM


Re: I Stand For The Working Class...
Phat writes:
Today's left believes in taxing the possessions out of the wealthy...
I don't. I believe it's a privilege to contribute to society in the form of taxes. The working classes should pay the bulk of the taxes - but they should be paid enough so that they can do so. If the average worker's wage was $30 dollars an hour (just picking a hypothetical number out of thin air) I wouldn't care if the billionaires contributed a nickel.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by Phat, posted 03-02-2017 3:29 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 8 by Phat, posted 03-03-2017 10:24 AM ringo has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 8 of 24 (801103)
03-03-2017 10:24 AM
Reply to: Message 7 by ringo
03-02-2017 11:21 AM


Re: I Stand For The Working Class...
ringo writes:
If the average worker's wage was $30 dollars an hour (just picking a hypothetical number out of thin air) I wouldn't care if the billionaires contributed a nickel.
I would. The billionaires control well over half the entire pool of money in existence. For them to not contribute is criminal at best. If they can't part with their precious money, it should be taken from them. There. I said it.
Perhaps I am morphing into an extremist...when the situation inconveniences me.
My critics often point out that at times I can be entirely selfish.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
"as long as chance rules, God is an anachronism."~Arthur Koestler

This message is a reply to:
 Message 7 by ringo, posted 03-02-2017 11:21 AM ringo has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by ringo, posted 03-03-2017 10:39 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied
 Message 10 by Faith, posted 03-03-2017 11:14 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 9 of 24 (801105)
03-03-2017 10:39 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
03-03-2017 10:24 AM


Re: I Stand For The Working Class...
Phat writes:
If they can't part with their precious money, it should be taken from them.
That's a second-hand solution: let them steal the money and then take it back. They should be prevented from stealing the money in the first place.
The workers should be able to take control of their workplace, if necessary - with or without compensation to the original "owners". That is a fairly extreme position but one that would cause less pain in the long run.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Phat, posted 03-03-2017 10:24 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
Faith 
Suspended Member (Idle past 1444 days)
Posts: 35298
From: Nevada, USA
Joined: 10-06-2001


Message 10 of 24 (801109)
03-03-2017 11:14 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
03-03-2017 10:24 AM


Re: I Stand For The Working Class...
The billionaires control well over half the entire pool of money in existence. For them to not contribute is criminal at best.
It doesn't work that way, Phat. I can't claim to understand much about money so I may get some of this wrong but here goes: There isn't a finite "pool" of money that is shared among all, wealth is actually created by people who build enterprises. They aren't just hoarding something that belongs to everybody, they literally "made" it in some sense, which benefits everybody in the end because money is always being used and circulated, nobody just sits on it. The more that gets created the more there is to go around in the shole society, that's why America became so prosperous in the first place, so that even poor Americans aren't poor by most of the world's standards. If money isn't being created everybody is poor. And generally those who have a lot give a lot.
One major problem with socialism is that it stifles the motivation to build enterprises and create wealth, it makes everybody poor. I think you've bought a socialist idea of money. Maybe you should read some conservative books on economics.
ABE: I agree, however, that wealth needs to be regulated so that it does benefit everybody. Fallen humanity is naturally greedy, and that includes poor people.
Edited by Faith, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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Modulous
Member
Posts: 7801
From: Manchester, UK
Joined: 05-01-2005


Message 11 of 24 (801278)
03-04-2017 6:18 PM
Reply to: Message 10 by Faith
03-03-2017 11:14 AM


Re: I Stand For The Working Class...
There isn't a finite "pool" of money that is shared among all, wealth is actually created by people who build enterprises. They aren't just hoarding something that belongs to everybody, they literally "made" it in some sense, which benefits everybody in the end because money is always being used and circulated, nobody just sits on it.
The poor also make that money. The issue at stake is: are they getting their fair share of the money they make?

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 Message 10 by Faith, posted 03-03-2017 11:14 AM Faith has not replied

  
Rrhain
Member
Posts: 6351
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Joined: 05-03-2003


(2)
Message 12 of 24 (801287)
03-04-2017 9:27 PM
Reply to: Message 10 by Faith
03-03-2017 11:14 AM


Re: I Stand For The Working Class...
Faith writes:
quote:
wealth is actually created by people who build enterprises.
And who do you think those people are?
People like Trump who simply owns a name?
Or the people who actually built the hotel that has his name on it?
Wealth is created by labor, not capital. Capital needs labor in order to be used to create wealth.
Labor, in the end, doesn't need capital. Oh, capital makes it easier, yes, but labor is all that is required.
quote:
The more that gets created the more there is to go around in the shole society
Not if the people who have it don't spend it. That's the stupidity of thinking tax cuts will help the economy. For the past 30+ years, the Reaganite philosophy that the wealthy will "trickle down" the wealth has been shown to be false: Despite the fact that productivity has tripled, all of the gains from that increase in productivity has gone to the wealthiest. Wages are flat and wealth has not increased for the bottom.
They were the ones who created the wealth.
And it was stolen from them by those who didn't create it.
quote:
that's why America became so prosperous in the first place
No, American didn't really become prosperous until after the Great Depression when we started implementing "socialist" economic policies like unions, Social Security, Medicare, etc. It's why the poverty rate for the elderly was 90% until then.
quote:
And generally those who have a lot give a lot.
Showing a severe lack of understanding regarding economics.
And your own Bible that you claim to hold so dear:
Mark 12:
12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Your own holy man contradicts you regarding this, Faith. The fact that you "give a lot" means nothing if you already have a lot. The question is not the mere amount of what you give.
It's whether your are giving "enough."
quote:
One major problem with socialism is that it stifles the motivation to build enterprises and create wealth
So England, Germany, Japan, and France are all "stifled"? Strange how their economies seem to be doing fairly well.
How can that be given their socialistic economic policies?
Did you just confuse socialism for communism?
quote:
it makes everybody poor.
Strange how Scandinavia, one of the most "socialist" regions on the planet, is so wealthy.
Maybe you should stop reading all those conservative books on economics.
They are lying to you.

Rrhain

Thank you for your submission to Science. Your paper was reviewed by a jury of seventh graders so that they could look for balance and to allow them to make up their own minds. We are sorry to say that they found your paper "bogus," specifically describing the section on the laboratory work "boring." We regret that we will be unable to publish your work at this time.

Minds are like parachutes. Just because you've lost yours doesn't mean you can use mine.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 10 by Faith, posted 03-03-2017 11:14 AM Faith has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 13 by Faith, posted 03-04-2017 9:53 PM Rrhain has replied

  
Faith 
Suspended Member (Idle past 1444 days)
Posts: 35298
From: Nevada, USA
Joined: 10-06-2001


Message 13 of 24 (801289)
03-04-2017 9:53 PM
Reply to: Message 12 by Rrhain
03-04-2017 9:27 PM


LaRe: I Stand For The Working Class...
As I understand it, and I said I don't understand a lot about money but I've picked up a few things, it is the enterprise that creates the wealth and if there is no capital there won't be an enterprise so it is the capital that creates the wealth. Wage-earners can't create wealth, they are beneficiaries of it, though there may be an argument that they should share in it in a more direct way. Good employers take good care of their workers.
There are different levels of socialism. Scandinavia is of course an unusual case. Go with the USSR or Communist China.
Edited by Faith, : No reason given.
Edited by Faith, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 12 by Rrhain, posted 03-04-2017 9:27 PM Rrhain has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 14 by jar, posted 03-05-2017 6:54 AM Faith has replied
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jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 14 of 24 (801318)
03-05-2017 6:54 AM
Reply to: Message 13 by Faith
03-04-2017 9:53 PM


Re: LaRe: I Stand For The Working Class...
Faith writes:
As I understand it, and I said I don't understand a lot about money but I've picked up a few things, it is the enterprise that creates the wealth and if there is no capital there won't be an enterprise so it is the capital that creates the wealth.
That is the propaganda version but of course it is as is so often the case refuted by reality.
Before there was capital there was wealth. Before there was an enterprise there was wealth. It is another of the con-jobs to keep the proles in check and hopefully not notice that they are being raped.

My Sister's Website: Rose Hill Studios My Website: My Website

This message is a reply to:
 Message 13 by Faith, posted 03-04-2017 9:53 PM Faith has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 15 by Faith, posted 03-05-2017 7:11 AM jar has replied

  
Faith 
Suspended Member (Idle past 1444 days)
Posts: 35298
From: Nevada, USA
Joined: 10-06-2001


Message 15 of 24 (801323)
03-05-2017 7:11 AM
Reply to: Message 14 by jar
03-05-2017 6:54 AM


Re: LaRe: I Stand For The Working Class...
But wasn't the wealth before capitalism all in the hands of feudal lords, who didn't get it by enterprise but by conquest? Capitalism does benefit the whole society in a way the feudal system of course did not. I'm certainly not arguing that capitalism is some kind of perfection if completely uncontrolled by law because it can be exploitative too, and it can be used against the people too, as Soros' billions are being used.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 14 by jar, posted 03-05-2017 6:54 AM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 16 by jar, posted 03-05-2017 7:26 AM Faith has replied
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