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Riff McClavin's avatar

I think what keeps a lot of this going are the number of otherwise decent folks who just can't visualize an alternative to the choices they're given. For them, nothing exists outside of the democratic/republican framework except a hazy anarchy -- an easy thing to reject. What they settle upon is what even they would describe as imperfect, but it's familiar, approved, "realistic", and comfortable.

In 1962 no one sat around saying, "Where the hell are the Beatles?"

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Diamond Boy's avatar

I think that was a good article. Caitlin really has a Comsky like ability to pierce.

I’m a capitalist who exploits people for my disproportionate gain. I own a security guard company in Toronto. We are an adjunct service to the real estate industry which is owned by pension funds and other large pools of capital - capitalism incarnate - real bastards.

I have much insight into how government works and I can promise you it has a twisted logic, it is massively inefficient unfocused and perpetually self reinforcing. Government mandarins and bureaucrats keep programs going because it is their job to do so. The rationale is massively distorted, the efficacy of the program is incidental at best.

I think this is the human condition - self interest and duplicity - and capitalism is the solution. Animal spirit, creative destruction, competition and annihilation are altogether essential to keep humans honest. Fear, biblical fear.

It is a very big topic and beyond me, but my 27 years in the fray, where the rubber hits the road has been instructional and that is my take on it.

Caitlin I don’t think your prescription for a solution is advisable - communism has been vilified beyond redemption.

My solution: $20 an hour minimum wage or guaranteed minimum income for all humans and no government programs supporting the poor. Make the poor not poor by creating a liveable bottom echelon of the economy. Government programs syphons to much with its inherent inefficiency and perverse logic. Just give people money. The over educated, well-meaning, program loving amongst us have had their day and it has failed.

Ask poor people what they want! They will say money. Ask them what they think of the programs I have to stand in line for. They will say humiliating. Start saving them from themselves they are not children just give them money.

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