Wackonomics

[Mavdog]

brooks also wrote for the Atlantic, which is decidly not a neo-con publication. and of copurse the new york times, which is as non neo-con as is possible.

your propensity to place people in cubby holes ("neo-cons by and large are horrible on economics") when not so cut and dry reveals a desire to simplify.

know what? it isn't so simple....

government taxation is waging "war" on its citizens?

your weathervane points decidedly towards anarchy, which is neither positive nor realist, and in fact reveals a certain pessimistic vein in your thinking.

anarchist are by and large anti-social personalities who prefer to vacate the contract that civilized societies operate under.

anarchists are really no different than many psychopathic personalities (ted kaczynski?) who feel animosity towards others, and wish to excuse themselves from limitations which are placed upon us by our mutual desire to live together in an orderly society.

and david brooks was not "last seen advising the Republicans that going to war in Iraq was a grand idea", he was last seen advising republicans that having sarah palin on the ticket was a bad idea, and he was right on that.

and he is also right in advising republicans that being the party of "just say no" to any action addressing our current economic malaise is political hari kari.

[alexamenos]

Originally Posted by Mavdog

anarchist are by and large anti-social personalities who prefer to vacate the contract that civilized societies operate under..

Institutionalized violence and coercion is the antithesis of the contract under which civilized societies operate. The argument you make could just as easily be an argument for organized crime or any form of tyranny.

The basis of civilized society is voluntary, mutually beneficial (non-coercive). Holding a gun to someone's head and taking their shit is not civilized, and it's the psychopathic mind that argues otherwise.

And there are indeed "limitations which are placed upon us by our mutual desire to live together in an orderly society". That's why property rights matter.....to non-socialists.

[Mavdog]

Originally Posted by alexamenos

Institutionalized violence and coercion is the antithesis of the contract under which civilized societies operate. The argument you make could just as easily be an argument for organized crime or any form of tyranny.

"institutionalized violence and coercion"? the subject is the role of an elected representitive government, not a group of thugs and their leaders who prey upon those with no ability to defend themselves.

if you truly believe that our social covenant is based on "violence and coertion" to function, your beliefs are grounded in the surreal.

The basis of civilized society is voluntary, mutually beneficial (non-coercive). Holding a gun to someone's head and taking their shit is not civilized, and it's the psychopathic mind that argues otherwise.

there are no free rides. if one wishes to receive the benefits of civilization, of the protections our society provides to each and every one of us, we must underwrite those costs. that is voluntary, as if one does not wish to participate in our society, if one wishes to not benefit, one can remove themselves and go out alone.

it is a psychopathic mind that would believe these benefits and peace of mind are merely provided by right with no obligation of payment.

And there are indeed "limitations which are placed upon us by our mutual desire to live together in an orderly society". That's why property rights matter.....to non-socialists.

government defends our property riights, and such rights are extended by the rule of law established by government.

[alexamenos]

Originally Posted by Mavdog

if you truly believe that our social covenant is based on "violence and coertion" to function, your beliefs are grounded in the surreal.

uhh....you're the one that believes this, not me.

[Mavdog]

Originally Posted by alexamenos

uhh....you're the one that believes this, not me.

hey, you are the one who believes that our government practices "Institutionalized violence and coercion ".

me, I believe we voluntarily participate.

[alexamenos]

Originally Posted by Mavdog

me, I believe we voluntarily participate.

That's funny.