- Capitalism and Alternatives -

which Lark is this?

Posted by: Gee ( si ) on October 01, 1999 at 14:24:20:

In Reply to: Another radical liberal policy, Marxists left for dust. posted by Lark on October 01, 1999 at 11:32:31:

: No fuking way man, look what automation has done across the world created mass unemployment and forced the service industry to expand and expand to the extent that I think it can't anymore.

Whats its done is make possible the lifestyles and longevity that billions of people have today. Where once 99.9% 'enjoyed' the same standard of living, ie the subsistence with their very lives held at the random forces of nature, now an ever increasing proportion are not held to such a flickering candle existence, not threatened with death with every turn in the weather. Ever more as a proportion. Abundance made this possible. Machinery and automation made abundance possible. The service sector grew because people did not have to spend 14 hours a day like animals hungry for food.

We can talk about the people whose lives are still so impoverished, but lets not blame automation. Without it we could even discuss them - we would be them.

: Waht is required is a Citizens wage paid by the authorities

I thought you didnt like authorities? which Lark is this?

: to every citizen, as close as possible to, if not equal to the average workers income and totally tax free, additional income would be taxed at a flat rate of about 50% until introduction costs can be diminished etc. Labour is now decommodified and if you can't get a job you'll be alright and if you dont want to work, which SHOULD BE YOUR RIGHT, you don't have to.

No one has to but somehow this wage is to be supplied. Who will willingly jumpm to the task of creating wealth for those who dont want to? Or shall the aforementioned authorities deal with the dissidents?



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