Nat, with all due respect, you are impossible.If you remember a while back, I told you about decentralized planned economy. So all your arguments about a central planner are not necessarily of any use. Yugoslavia was a socialist republic, yet they had NO central planner due to their decentralist economy. This decentralization results in the economy being managed COMPLETELY from the bottom-up, where the managing of the facilities for production and services is made by those involved in it and not the "top" in the facility. And as for the argument that it is an inefficient way of using the world's resources, is it not pure and clear logic that producing what is needed is more efficient than overproduction?
As for the 'no incentive' deal, again a look at good old Yugoslavia is a good idea. A yugoslav factory worker for instance, knew that if he did well in his work the income of the factory would go up and his share (their system involved that every worker were awarded a share of the incomes rather than the more traditional fixed salary) would also rise. There's your incentive, speaking from a capitalist point of view.
As for the painter post, why should there be a Central Committee to decide what you are to work with? I would like to hear which socialist has told you about that.
Actually, I find it sad that you are forgetting (or 'consciously forgetting' maybe) earlier posts. Early on I stated that a central planner is not integral for socialism to work, yet you continue talking about them. Why don't you wait until you have the definition of socialism and the possibilities for how a socialist economy can work right?
However, I am not saying your VIEWS are wrong, it is honest to be antisocialist. I just think it would benefit this discussion a lot if you actually tried to find out what you're talking about.
Simon.
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Q: What does a communist santa say?
A: "Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh", and he brings an equally small bag of rice for all.
