CAPITALISM: the economic system in which the ownership and exploitation of wealth are left largely in PRIVATE [not public] hands.
(THE NEW AMERICAN WEBSTER DICTIONARY, 1972)Despit the fact that I've shown your definition to be inacurate, it doesn't matter what form of government the USSR had. What does matter is that it is certainly not the type of government I advocate. What you say about the USSR being very productive in its first few years is entirely false. The communist system failed so bad, that Lenin was forced to implement the NEP (new economic program) and include capitalist principles - it had to be done for the country to even continue its existence.
: Bollocks. How is someone on a slave wage meant to attain property when they have to give most of there money to a landlord?
Ummm, easy, they just keep working. We have government programs here to help people who are in serious need. What do you consider a slave wage? Slave wages are not allowed here - we have a minimum wage. There is not a single person in the United States, who cannot, through hard work and perseverance own as much land and make as much money as they want.
: Property is theft and the land should be for the benefit of all, not so an individual can get rich.
I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes already. I would love to know where you communists get your definition of theft. I always thought theft meant taking something from someone who had earned it (in other words the government taking land from someone who paid for it).
: You may own 60 acres and not be rich, but those 60 acres are to small to enable you to become rich when you have to compete with the monopolys of the ruling class.
Where are u from? PLease tell me you don't live in the US because you have absolutely no grasp of what life is like here! Pray tell, who comprises this "ruling class?" It's nonexistent. Sure there are a few people who inhereit their fortunes, but not very many. Most of the people who are now of the land owning worked their way up from the bottom. Nobody handed them money and property and said, "here you go!" Quite the opposite - these people had initiative, creativity, and most importantly willingness to work, and the American people then rewarded their efforts by buying their services or products. That's how capitalism works - through work. And you just watch - I'll get rich in my lifetime. My family isn't rich, we are much closer to poor and we do not have any part of this nonexistant monopoly. That doesn't hold me back - not in America.
: : But not to look out for themselves? Tell me, when was the last time you took your neigbors car to be washed because it neede it more than yours? Wouldn't any unselfish, enlightened person like you have to do that?
: Sharing of prperty would ensure that everyone maintained it.
WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP! Sharing property, as I said before only gives people a false sense of security by making them think that everyone else will do the work so they don't have to. If I cannot directly benefit from the work I do, I'm not going to do any at all. I care much more about property that I can say is MINE than I can only say is OURS. And please answer the question - when was the last time you actually did that?
: Or when was the last time you went and bought groceries for your neighbor because he/she needed them more than you? More than likely it wasn't just yesterday.
: Do you not help the elderly and sick in your community? Or do you just leave them to rot because they can't buy their groceries?
That's right, they just roam the streets in a state of decay and I kick them and stray dogs whenever I walk by. Again, answer the question please.
: : scared I'll be president? Why, because you are afraid I may be proven wrong? Or maybe you are more afraid that I'll be proven right!
: I'm not scared that you will be president because i aim to abolish all governments and you have already been proven wrong, it is just a question of fixing things.
: Chris.
Sorry Chris, abolishing governements will never happen, nor should it as it would never work. I have to say I like your idea better than those that would have the government grow. As far as being wrong - just wait 30-50 years, then you'll actually be able to see my ideas applied!
: P.S. Sorry this is a bit incoherent, but I was tired when I wrote it.
I found it coherent, just misguided and incorrect.
Mike
