strigori Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Just want to point out that ONLY the United State has 'freedom of speech' Every other country has a form of censorship board, weather or not that name it as such. Many nations have limits on things you can say, or write, without a possible arrest. Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, and the Presumption of Innocence are far from rights for most people living on this planet. They are so ingrained in us as Americans we take for granted that others outside our borders have the same rights. They do not. This one is the one that concerns me the most of what you listed. Don't get me wrong. I completely agree that freedom of the press is essential to having freedom. However, there also must be accountability within that same freedom. Right now, the press/media can put out what ever they see fit no matter if it is flat out wrong/made up/half true or implying something different than what reality is. So much of it is bought and paid for by various political powers. BUT, nobody in power will hold the media accountable because of two reasons. a) They don't want a back lash of people claiming they are violating the freedom of the press, and b) They buy and use the media/press just like their counter parts in ways to mislead the public. This accountability needs to come from the public. There needs to be outrage from the public when they are mislead by what the press is reporting. Instead, we have two sides that support their misleading press and keep moving on with the status quo. in large part because we have allowed large parts of the press become infotainment. And they spend very little time actually covering the 'news' anymore. So....you are somewhat agreeing with me that since it was the public that allowed this to happen, it is the public that will need to be outraged enough to cause a change. Yeah, the public has a large hand in it. By tolerating it, and watching the excrement that passes for 'news' on some channels. Social media is our best chance at forcing change. Link to comment
strigori Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 The lyrics on this some cover a ton of points, and how the media covers it. There is profanity, and quite a bit of it. Also note the background vocals with what amounts to 'lalalala I'm not listening' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsMYRYuQX2I Link to comment
BigRedBuster Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 Capitalism in the sense of economics being a free-for-all. As opposed to socialism, communism, etc etc. Regulated capitalism can be a wonderful thing. Unregulated capitalism just concentrates all wealth at the top 1%. Capitalism cannot be regulated. It's not an activity. It's only a concept defined by law that was developed as a way to motivate lazy workers and increase productivity. Capitalism is the equal guarantee and protection of free workers capital. That's it. It basically means, it doesn't matter who you are -- you can work, save up , and then invest your money in order to be more productive and amass wealth - without the threat of the government or more powerful individuals taking it away because there are laws protecting your capital, financial systems available to you to leverage your capital, and market economies where you can trade your goods/services. The idea that some "upper class" business owner could hire a "lower class" worker who could save his wages, start his own business and eventually compete with his previous employer - is a recent development in human history. -- Capitalism doesn't guarantee everyone multitudes of wealth, because not everyone can risk their capital and have the same success due to market competition. Success is a product of ambition and ability. Not everyone is equal in ability. Not everyone shares the same amount of ambition. Therefore, not everyone is guaranteed an equal outcome even if capitalism guaranteed them an equal opportunity to try. But something strange happens when capitalism is introduced where is wasn't allowed before - the workers begin to try and as a result the society as a whole becomes more productive and everyone involved benefits and is lifted economically. -- No doubt, capitalism results in a disparity of wealth and there is competition to gain more capital with the advantage going to those who already have acquired more than others. So what? Capitalism doesn't allow one person with much capital to prevent another person with very little from obtaining more. For that, you'd need other laws and regulations that interfere with free markets or threaten the concept of capitalism. -- There is a lot of magic and fairy dust there. Pure 'isms' do not work in the real world, only in the fantasy of the paper world. The instant you add the human element, the first thing that happens is those with money and power do everything they can to prevent anyone else from getting money or power. For a glimpse on what it looks like in the not too distant history (historically speaking) just look to the era of the robber barons and lateral integration. It is not coincidence that the most productive, expansive and over best period of history on this continent came after rules are regulations came into effect to limit the corruption of those with money and power. Not really. I don't know any rich people who would have a problem if you or I were to become rich also. In fact, many rich people love other success stories. I know many rich people who have helped other people start businesses or further their education or allow themselves to be given as references so that someone can become successful. They may say stuff, but watch where they spend their money. Take the Koch brothers, who spend more money per election cycle that everyone who posts in this thread will probably see in a lifetime, to further their own wealth and little else. Do they mind someone else getting ahead? It depends. Does that someone else mean they will see less money? If that potential exists, they will try to prevent it by almost any means available. For a great many of those who have money, the number one priority in life is furthering that wealth, and the rest of the world be damned. So, if I point out poor people who are crack heads and steel cars, I can then say all poor people are crack heads and steel cars? Link to comment
StPaulHusker Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Food is the number one issue. When people don't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, or at all, they can focus on learning. When they learn, they become more productive citizens of the world. Obviously there are some exceptions. When they are deprived of something, they focus everything on that one thing and they think only about how to obtain it. Legally or not. Just my opinion of course Link to comment
BigRedBuster Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 1. Apathy Interesting.... I'm interested in more explanation. I personally think that Americans (in general) have had great interest and concern over the last 5-6 decades about world problems. We have literally spent trillions of our own dollars trying to fix things along with our own assets and lives of our own people in both military or civilian efforts. I know multiple people who have either been missionaries in third world countries or personally gone on mission trips or aid trips to countries needing help. People constantly donate to charities to help people around the world. So.....please explain to me what you mean by "apathy". Link to comment
TGHusker Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Distribution of Food and Clean Water Education Equal opportunity and civil rights (everything from totalitarian injustice to sex trafficking) Do these 3 and poverty becomes less of an issue. Link to comment
carlfense Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 1. Apathy Interesting.... I'm interested in more explanation. I personally think that Americans (in general) have had great interest and concern over the last 5-6 decades about world problems. We have literally spent trillions of our own dollars trying to fix things along with our own assets and lives of our own people in both military or civilian efforts. I know multiple people who have either been missionaries in third world countries or personally gone on mission trips or aid trips to countries needing help. People constantly donate to charities to help people around the world. So.....please explain to me what you mean by "apathy". I doubt that she cares enough to respond . . . 1 Link to comment
macbrian Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 1. Education 2. Environmental pollution 3. Corruption although I think that education should be the tool to create awareness for almost all of the other problems. And eventually find solutions for them. Link to comment
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