The next president of the US?

[tibbycat]

I watched today the debate between Obama and McCain, and wow, I'm really hoping especially now that McCain doesn't win. His political philosophy reminds me of that of former Australian Prime Minister John Howard who thought that it was best to help the rich and let that trickle down the ladder to the poor. Except, it doesn't work. The rich just get

Comments

[pinhead22886]

Well if the government wasnt an economic actor, then you would have to get a job. Why SHOULDNT the government help people who are incapable of working? Economics isnt everything. Why would you want a society that is devoid of all humanity just for the sake of a free market? Why should mentally ill people have to sacrifice their lives to make you richer?

"It was the people who gave Kerry Packer his fortune, for it to be up for inheritance in the first place. Again it's their own fault and to be opposed to it is hypocritical at best."

How is it a mentally ill person on Lexo Place's fault that Kerry Packer is filthy rich? To be opposed to what is hypocritical?

Because for the maintenance of any semblance of humanity, social outcomes shouldnt be forfeited for economic outcomes. And society has developed the concept of "government" to best manage the balance between economic outcomes and social outcomes.

"The in-betweens support conflicting points of view and are therefore moot."

They're not moot at all. The do not support conflicting points, they find a middle ground. That's what we have in Australia. In fact, that's what they have in every western country
in the world, to varying degrees. And the social AND economic indicators are generally better in countries that have a moderate amount of government activity in the economy.

"Also, what makes that unequal opportunity? If they're incapable of something that doesn't mean they don't have opportunity."

Of course it does. If I am incapable of something, I dont have the opportunity to do it. If I dont have a cent to my name, I dont have the opportunity to buy a $15,000 a year university degree. What is opportunity. Just because there are universities in the world, doesnt mean a person in Africa living on $1US a day has the opportunity to go to uni.

"I'm incapable of many things, mentally ill people are incapable of many things. In a strictly capitalist society it's a completely level playing field."

The fact that you think that you are on a level playing field with a completely incapacitated ill person is pretty tragic.

[tibbycat]

Well said Brad! The type of society that Simon proposes would be a frightening and heartless society indeed.

[pinhead22886]

When it comes to economic opportunity, you ARE fundamentally different to a person with a mental illness that renders them incapacitated.