posted
"'Poor' in the USA means you don't have cable or a microwave."
Rather insular there aren't we?
------------------ Oh, yes, sitting. The great leveler. From the mightiest Pharaoh to the lowliest peasant, who doesn't enjoy a good sit? ~C. Montgomery Burns
As for my "spoon-feeding" comments, I would point out that I actually show the flaws in your arguments, and THEN state that you're not thinking about what you say. You just assume that I'm not thinking because I say what others say. I think there's a difference, here.
------------------ "You know, you--you let a wolf save your life, they make you pay and pay and pay..." - Fraser, "due South"
posted
No, my opinion of you is that your reciting.
JeffK has a point, about your beliefs not having been challenged as of yet. Not that this is your fault, for you are young, so, in time, you will have revelations. These revelations will be in the form of injustices done to you for the most part, and to your friends.
I was very pro gun, hunting since I was a little kid, weapons expert in the Army. Now, I dispise pistols (hand guns) and assualt rifles. Why? Ever use one in anger. If not, don't question it. Hunting rifles and shotguns are okay, if used for their purpose, deer, elk, rabbit, duck, etc.... [Gee, I am in the center again!!!!]
Let's talk in, say, 10 years. You maybe a drunkin' drug addict that voted for Hillary Clinton. Don't laugh and don't say it won't happen. IDIC mean anything to you? No, you're young, and it's true. They say shit happens, and it does.
posted
Now, I'm fairly new here, and that history thing that omega just put up showed me theres a lot I don't know about. And I don't wanna go slagging no-one either, but. . .
quote:There will NEVER be equity. Get used to it. There will always be poor. Get over it.
That has to be the most depressing thing I've ever heard anyone say. I gather you all got started here through liking Star Trek, which among other things celebrates the nature of man in that he tries to change his environment for the better. I don't see how anyone can say that unless, as some of you blokes are suggesting, there's something seriously wrong with your worldview, Omega. But thats not for me to say.
Fact is, you may be right, humankind will never achieve true equality. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try, and that doesn't mean we can't make things a lot better than how they are right now.
------------------ "I do prefer the arse, but you can't dismiss the leg. They're joined at the hip, so to speak."
posted
"If equity ever comes, it will come through technological change, not social change." -- I can't remember who said that, but its really the basis of Star Trek's utopian society to me.
Some of this can be seen already. Available access to the Internet has begin to equalize people in ways that were never before possible, though it's just a start.
Star trek has no poor because everyone can be equally provided for by cheap energy and replicator technology which can create complex substances from raw elements. We HAVE the ability to generate sufficient quantities of cheap energy, though not the desire. Replicators, I fear, are still a ways off. But when anybody can go grab some basic chemical elements and convert them to a full-course turkey dinner, or a new stereo system... what's left?
Since money will most likely be repllicable (it's not all that complex), we'll have to go to a credit/merit system. And THAT means: Those who produce more will get more, and those who produce nothing... will probably still be able to get enough.
The problem then will be that 'enough' isn't good enough for SOME people. They'll want everything you and I produced very hard to get, without any of the effort. These people will be the new criminal class.
And so the ball rolls on...
------------------ "Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master
posted
[QUOTE}Since money will most likely be repllicable (it's not all that complex), we'll have to go to a credit/merit system. And THAT means: Those who produce more will get more, and those who produce nothing... will probably still be able to get enough.[/QUOTE]
OK, I can live with that. Fine so far.
quote:The problem then will be that 'enough' isn't good enough for SOME people. They'll want everything you and I produced very hard to get, without any of the effort. These people will be the new criminal class.
Mmm... Just so long as you don't lump ALL the poor (but still provided for) together. Your right, probably can't stop there being such a bunch of people. Doesnt mean we shouldn't try to help the rest of them.
------------------ "I do prefer the arse, but you can't dismiss the leg. They're joined at the hip, so to speak."
posted
True. The US doesn't seem to realise how lucky it is on that regard. Hell, even as recently as last year in the UK, we had to pay for every minute we were on line. Which at least meant we went out and talked to real people.
But for a lot of countires, cheap/free internet access isn't as easy an option as it is in the US. And people who don't speak English are also at a huge disadvantage.
------------------ "If every vampire who said he was at the Crucifixion was actually there it would've been like Woodstock. I was at Woodstock. I fed off a flower person and I spent six hours watching my hand move." - Spike, BtVS
posted
Er, gee, thanks for the offer Liam, but NO!
Seriously, though, I'm just kidding. I find this whole "my country rocks your sucks!" attitude totally demeaning.
Not to mean I don't think that the US isn't a great country, but it doesn't mean I don't think that other counties aren't better in some aspects than we are.
------------------ The Dominion has been defeated, but the hardest job will be building the peace ...
Join Cpt. Connor H. Macy and the crew of the USS Tokyo as they attempt to forge the bonds of trust ...
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