- Capitalism and Alternatives -

More posts ending in no thanks? No thanks!

Posted by: Gee ( si ) on October 26, 1999 at 11:06:05:

In Reply to: More 'effective demand' fairy tales? No thanks! posted by Stoller on October 25, 1999 at 18:59:09:

: People are 'discriminatory.' Is this supposed to say anything useful to the person who WANTS cancer treatment but has a job that pays so poorly that the cancer treatment is UNAVAILABLE?

It says something *very* useful about the people who might be able to provide it. Thats what your skirting around.

: So this argument compels me to accept the current dictatorship of the bourgeoisie?

It would hopefully compel you to look away from dictatorships of any sort - and question your assumptions about the defacto power of the 'bourgeoisie' and your asumptions about the state of mind and condition of the 'proleteriat'.

: We don't have millions of cops everywhere to control the poor because 'everyone' is thrilled with capitalist society, you know. Maybe you live where you don't have to see it perhaps...

Many of the police are engaged in 'the drug war', in enforcing traffic laws and other activities - it would be interesting to see what proportion actually goes on theft/robberry - which to you (I imagine) would signify 'class dissatisfaction' rather than disregard for others.

: As if you ever challenged my citation that only 10% of the American population owns their own business; as if you ever challenged my citation that only 23% of the American population receives a B.A. or above; as if you ever challenged my citation that only 25% of all American jobs require any skill above a high school level.

What I challenged was the notion that the 'poor' are becoming poorer. the above are other matters - perhaps if you repeat them often enough I'll go and see if there is yet another set of data contradicting them.

: I'll be the first to say that incomes in America are high---for all classes, relative to class.

Thats a start.

: But you still haven't 'proved' that everyone in America has a worthwhile job worthy of pride.

And? Some subjective evaluation of job quality? What kind of challenge is that? rest assured that you will never 'prove' the opposite - were talking about individuals subjective evaluations - leave it to the actual person.

: The issue in America, as I see it, is not what people make---but how they make it.

Perhaps we should focus on one element at a time then.


Follow Ups:

The Debating Room Post a Followup