tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post8923614817416655988..comments2024-03-28T12:43:07.327-04:00Comments on Dave Dubya's Freedom Rants: Can't Happen Here?Dave Dubyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-39347726616892588542022-09-02T07:32:39.137-04:002022-09-02T07:32:39.137-04:00Thank you for your thorough comments.
I think we ...Thank you for your thorough comments.<br /><br />I think we closed it here, only if you'd like to ask me some questions.<br /><br />Hope we'd have good time of civil conversations about complex matters in future too.Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-70388777373918529162022-09-01T15:15:35.235-04:002022-09-01T15:15:35.235-04:00Hill,
It is a fact that the letters in hatred are ...Hill,<br />It is a fact that the letters in hatred are all in red hat.Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-55812303765298271212022-09-01T13:11:32.362-04:002022-09-01T13:11:32.362-04:00If they had used pointed red hoods with MAGA stamp...If they had used pointed red hoods with MAGA stamps their intent and viewpoints wouldn’t have been clearer. @hillofkansas. Twitternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-68610539108172979062022-09-01T12:07:50.104-04:002022-09-01T12:07:50.104-04:00Foreigner,
Capitalism isn’t all bad, especially i...Foreigner,<br /><br />Capitalism isn’t all bad, especially if regulated and allows for workers’ decent pay, benefits, rights and safety. “Regulation of commerce” is the law of the land, and it has been a long struggle to maintain.<br /><br />A balanced state will have socialized public healthcare and education. Capitalists hate that.<br /><br />Compared to the old days of “Robber Barons” people have had good paying jobs, and thanks to unions, even retirement benefits from them. Those days are receding into the past now. One political party has been actively destroying labor unions. The Republican Party works for the enrichment of economic elites over the public good.<br /><br />You have a good point on “mind draining boredom” in so many jobs. Industrial automation and “outsourcing” to countries with lower pay for workers have eliminated many of those jobs.<br /><br />When I was young, I experienced repetitive and dangerous physical labor, and learned it wasn’t for me. I was lucky to find, and survive, a job with retirement benefits.<br /><br />We have Social Security and Medicare as a govt. retirement benefits that people pay into over their working years. The Republican Party wants to dismantle these constitutional provisions for the general welfare.<br /><br />The Republican Party needs to appeal to racial resentments, anger, and fear in white working people to get their votes. An old and successful tactic. The have built a massive media echo-chamber to spread their propaganda.<br /><br />There was a time when churches were non-profit. Many still are, but in the past few decades we’ve seen the rise of TV ministries and “Mega churches” that have become very successful profit-driven enterprises. We have a cult called “Scientology” started by a man who said the best way to get rich is to start a religion. <br /><br />We also have many churches that are politically active, and are pushing their religious beliefs into our laws. If so, they should be taxed as political and business organizations. <br /><br />You make a good point about so many laws are antiquated and not sensible for modern times.<br /><br />And yes, I welcome discussion from anyone who is decent about it. I have no reason to publish the hate and lies from certain trolls, who think it’s OK to call me a commie or racist because that’s what their radical Right leaders tell them to think.<br /><br />If some politely disagrees with what I say, and they show reason or evidence to support their points, I will be happy to discuss it with them. Too often they just resort to mindless insults.<br /><br />I delete a lot of their bullshit personal attacks.<br />Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-25002810222574268192022-09-01T04:01:36.304-04:002022-09-01T04:01:36.304-04:00\\A communist dictatorship will attack capitalism ...\\A communist dictatorship will attack capitalism by focusing on its worst effects, ignoring any positive benefits. <br /><br />Hey! Can you play an advocate here and describe those benefits? ;-)<br /><br /><br />\\A communist government will also hypocritically engage in its own form of capitalism's cruelty, with their own slave labor or otherwise low pay in factories and farms.<br /><br />Oh, I am more than proficient to know about that cruelty, can you believe me?<br />And that was not about "slave labor or otherwise low pay". Not much or even any bigger than it was on the West. That is prejudges from your Westerner side.<br /><br />Main problem was -- lose of purpose. Life and mind draining stupidity and boredom.<br /><br />Naturally, you hardly can emphatise with it. I myself cannot find an example from what I know about your life (from Holywood movies mostly), to show it to you...<br />Maybe some movies, of anti-utopian type.<br /><br /><br /><br />\\Huge monopolies would empower a wealthy elite that would dominate news media and politics, which is still happening.<br /><br />Oh, now it much more thorough. Through making cosy "echo chambers" with the means of social networks.<br />For example.<br />You are one of few, who allow anonimouses to talk in your blog. And even have mind open enough to engage in conversation with such notorius strangers.<br /><br />Most of people -- do not like it. They like their family-sized group. Airtight. Which are most vulnerable to a propaganda. Trump-like. Or Putin-like. Or China's one, I suppose.<br /><br />That is social problem, in my opinion. And not of economic system or political affairs.<br /><br /><br /><br />\\The US is paying dearly for not taxing churches, who are supposed to stay out of politics.<br /><br />Well, I thought that that is mere common sense. Churches are not for-profit organisations. Per se.<br />Or, do you propose to tax NGOs??? Scout's organisations? House parties? :-)<br /><br /><br /><br />\\But it's been a long struggle, with frequent victories for Big Money and Big Religion. <br /><br />I would add to that Big Future.<br />Because things like flying cars, robots, settlers on the Moon amd Mars...<br />hardly your founders could even imagine something like that...<br />yet to write a law suffice for that development.Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-81353373408698514392022-08-31T13:05:38.076-04:002022-08-31T13:05:38.076-04:00Foreigner,
A communist dictatorship will attack ca...Foreigner,<br />A communist dictatorship will attack capitalism by focusing on its worst effects, ignoring any positive benefits. A communist government will also hypocritically engage in its own form of capitalism's cruelty, with their own slave labor or otherwise low pay in factories and farms.<br /><br />Capitalism is an amoral system. It has no compassion or regard for the public welfare. It serves to generate profit. Yes, profit can pay good wages for some workers. Other times profit come at the expense of cruel working conditions and environmental pollution.<br /><br />Capitalism is a "double-edged sword" in many ways. <br /><br />At the time of Marx's Manifesto capitalism was still embracing slavery for private profit. The Industrial Revolution would exploit child labor. Huge monopolies would empower a wealthy elite that would dominate news media and politics, which is still happening.<br /><br />Unregulated capitalism would be threatened by expanded democracy and voter rights. <br /><br />Unregulated capitalism proved to be quite monstrous in many ways. As I noted, it grew into what we now call corporatism. <br /><br />Our founders understood government should not be controlled by the influence of commercial business interests and religious movements. They knew a republic needed a government above the influence of money and religion.<br /><br />Commerce needs to be regulated. Religion needs to be separated from the people's government.<br /><br /><i>"The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States;... To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States..."<br /><br />And: "No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”<br /><br />The First Amendment reads:<br />“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion".</i><br /><br />Religious groups and capitalists will always try to control government to their advantage.<br /><br />The US is paying dearly for not taxing churches, who are supposed to stay out of politics. <br /><br />The Republican Party has essentially required a religious test for judges. This is how we have a Catholic majority in our Supreme Court, and women are now losing their right to reproductive freedom.<br /><br />Our nation's founders gave us the rule of law that deterred the power of commercial and religious interests in our government.<br /><br />But it's been a long struggle, with frequent victories for Big Money and Big Religion. <br /><br /><br />Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-20413272931212151172022-08-31T04:38:39.864-04:002022-08-31T04:38:39.864-04:00Capitalism -- isn't it about mercantilism, buy...<i>Capitalism -- isn't it about mercantilism, buying and selling goods?<br /><br />Yes. But capitalism has evolved into corporatism, to the point of “corporatocracy” where corporate wealth can buy politicians and corporate lawyers can actually write the laws. Private wealth is always represented more than the public good.</i><br /><br />Sorry to say. I cannot thrug it off. This words too much remind me of that non-stopping buzz they was repeating ad nauseam to us in USSR...<br /><br />about capitalism becoming imperialism<br />not working in public good interests<br />governments all bought by corporations<br />and etc, and etc, and etc.<br /><br />So, you might understand yourself -- it's too hard for me to believe, that way,<br />that what? propaganda in USSR was RIGHT about capitalism???<br />While being<br />. absolutely<br />. humongously<br />. rediculously<br /> <b>wrong</b> about EVERY other thing.<br /><br /><br />I hope I formulated my confusion properly and easy to understand.<br />Because that is genuine. My confusion.Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-70372637102596130412022-08-29T12:44:17.237-04:002022-08-29T12:44:17.237-04:00Foreigner,
or between Red China and Finland. This...Foreigner,<br /><br /><i>or between Red China and Finland. This two are starkly incomparable IMHO.</i><br /><br />Exactly. But in the US the radical Right will portray democratic socialism as communism. They have learned fear is a useful means to get votes and a lever of power. They refuse to examine the real differences because ignorance is their political ally. Racism is another example.<br /><br /><i>Capitalism -- isn't it about mercantilism, buying and selling goods?</i><br /><br />Yes. But capitalism has evolved into corporatism, to the point of “corporatocracy” where corporate wealth can buy politicians and corporate lawyers can actually write the laws. Private wealth is always represented more than the public good.<br /><br /><i>Why they use that names, if they not one?<br />Why they have and use institutions of democracy and republic governance?<br />How than, we can distinguish "true" from "false",<br />if there is continuity of it -- countries with all the same institutions, but different attitude and assessment of what democratic and what not?</i><br /><br />Yes democracy is a continuum of pure democracy, universal citizen participation, voting, elections and representation rather than an absolute closed system. It’s meaning, like with so many other terms, becomes flexible.<br /><br />“Democracy” is a useful term for authoritarian regimes to give the illusion of respecting the will and needs of the people. The same applies to governments dominated by corporate interests.<br /><br /><i>But people was able to discuss complex things way before they developed undestanding of axiomatisation.<br />With simple "look here".</i><br /><br />True. People don’t need to understand the nuances of fascism or communism when confronted by the imminent reality of a dictatorship. <br />Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-52141390977765636822022-08-29T06:36:21.066-04:002022-08-29T06:36:21.066-04:00\\Foreigner,
I also thank you for the rational con...\\Foreigner,<br />I also thank you for the rational conversation.<br /><br /><br />Sorry for pointing it out. But it sounds somewhat insulting.<br />Rational human tend to behave rationally all of the time.<br />While asking irrational to behave rational is futile.<br /><br />I do not criticise you here. I fully understand what you do say.<br />Only, in one package with rationality there is pedantism too. ;-)<br /><br /><br />\\To clarify these concepts, I would suggest the differences between North Korea and Sweden,<br /><br />North and South Korea -- is better for comparation.<br />Obviously, country that was conqured by two communistic behemoths (USSR and China) have slim chance of trying to be democratic...<br /><br /><br />\\ or between Red China and Finland.<br /><br />This two are starkly incomparable IMHO.<br /><br /><br />\\Economic and politically loaded terms like Communism, Socialism and Capitalism are easy to warp and confuse, due to the diverse expressions/systems that operate under them.<br /><br />Well, "communism" that is termin which describe something unexisting, and even impossible.<br /><br />Socialism... yeah, you are right about it. I cannot see how my experience of USSR, where they was calling it "socialism" or even "advanced socialism", can be merged, or even compared with european socialism, of that how it seen in USA.<br /><br />Capitalism -- isn't it about mercantilism, buying and selling goods?<br /><br /><br />\\The terms can be facades. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is neither a democracy nor a republic.<br /><br />That is point of dirupture.<br />Why they use that names, if they not one?<br />Why they have and use institutions of democracy and republic governance?<br />How than, we can distinguish "true" from "false",<br />if there is continuity of it -- countries with all the same institutions, but different attitude and assessment of what democratic and what not?<br /><br />Well, that is mostly rethorical question.<br />I am not waiting you to answer.<br />But still, if you'd have some insights about it, I would like to know...<br /><br /><br />\\It is best to define these terms for context before entering debate or discussion with them.<br /><br />It's good to have proper formal definitions.<br />But people was able to discuss complex things way before they developed undestanding of axiomatisation.<br />With simple "look here".<br /><br />That's why my experience of USSR is so good to compare with realities of West. IMHO.Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-31760658667516620302022-08-28T14:31:01.856-04:002022-08-28T14:31:01.856-04:00Foreigner,
I also thank you for the rational conve...Foreigner,<br />I also thank you for the rational conversation.<br /><br /><i>The Right will always dishonestly present a communist dictatorship and democratic socialism as the same thing. The differences are unclear to most people.</i><br /><br />To clarify these concepts, I would suggest the differences between North Korea and Sweden, or between Red China and Finland.<br /><br />Economic and politically loaded terms like Communism, Socialism and Capitalism are easy to warp and confuse, due to the diverse expressions/systems that operate under them.<br /><br />Likewise are Democracy and Republic. The terms can be facades. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is neither a democracy nor a republic.<br /><br />Elections don't necessarily make a democracy or a republic, as much as the degree the common people are represented. <br /><br />It is best to define these terms for context before entering debate or discussion with them.Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-831572871680912662022-08-28T07:13:05.037-04:002022-08-28T07:13:05.037-04:00\\These two extremes need a more moderate balance....\\These two extremes need a more moderate balance.<br /><br />As far as I know -- there is only one way of going middle way, and that's exactly when TWO opposite extrimes which fight with each other present.<br /><br />That is called homeostasis -- thing because of which we are, as well as all and any animals do exist.<br />In our technologies it called feedback loops.<br /><br /><br />\\The Democratic Party is more diverse, racially, socially and economically, but still reliant on corporate donations. Nothing communist about them.<br /><br />Ehm. Communistic party in Russian Empire... was donated by capitalists.<br />Well, some of them.<br />All people is different. And well, there is a benefit in having your own political force/party.<br />And there was enough reformists among capitalists too. Even with socialistic views, which was in fasion that days.<br /><br /><br /><br />\\The Right will always dishonestly present a communist dictatorship and democratic socialism as the same thing. The differences are unclear to most people. <br /><br />Don't think I can be called Right in your terms.<br />But really, I don't think I can see that difference too.<br /><br />They, in Soviet Union was calling themself Democratic and by all means Socialistic.<br />ONLY difference I can come up with -- they didn't have Rights... because they was thoroughly erradicated in 1917's "revolution".<br /><br />Guess, that could give some insight about your country problems.<br />But still, it's up to you to decide...<br /><br /><br /><br />Thank you for conversation. I guess you gave my some food for thought.<br />I need to think about it.Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-72813103122591902402022-08-26T16:58:57.844-04:002022-08-26T16:58:57.844-04:00Foreigner,
I never read Das Kapital or the Commun...Foreigner,<br /><br />I never read Das Kapital or the Communist Manifesto, but I do get the general ideas of class conflict, alienation, labor theory of value, and the ideal of a class-free society. Somehow the ideal of “dictatorship of the proletariat” always results in a dictatorship by an authoritarian leader. The ideal of government ownership without private ownership has never been successfully practiced in a free society. Democratic representation and the public good are suppressed under both communism and un-regulated or inadequately regulated capitalism.<br /><br />Yes, the government becomes the capitalist class in communism, and is government capitalism. The Chinese govt. is ironically a massive capitalistic entity.<br /><br />In capitalist countries the capitalist class tries to own the government, and is quite successful in manipulating the levers of power by legal bribery and massive lobbying. It becomes corporate/capitalist government, to the benefit of corporations only.<br /><br />Wealth is power, whether by government owned corporations or corporate owned government. It seems the little guy gets screwed both ways. <br /><br />These two extremes need a more moderate balance. There is a middle path. Democratic socialism seems to work best for the health, happiness, representation, and general welfare of the people.<br /><br />Our Republican Party is 100% in service to the corporate/economic elites. <br /><br />Anyone who advocates for public healthcare public education, and government benefits like Social Security, Medicare and unemployment benefits will eventually be called a socialist/communist by the radical Right Republicans. They vehemently oppose all of these public services, while legislating tax breaks, incentives, bailouts, and other support for corporations.<br /><br />The Democratic Party is more diverse, racially, socially and economically, but still reliant on corporate donations. Nothing communist about them. They have a small minority of socialist inclined members, but they haven’t enough numbers to make a difference towards universal healthcare and public education, etc.<br /><br />By nature, the extremes of government-owned corporations (communism) and corporate owned government (un-regulated capitalism) overrule the interests and well-being of the general public.<br /><br />This is why democratic socialism is gaining support among our younger people. The Right will always dishonestly present a communist dictatorship and democratic socialism as the same thing. The differences are unclear to most people. <br /><br />My view is that government and business (corporations) need to be entirely separate. The same is true for religion and government.<br /><br />Our Constitution was written by men who understood the necessity of these separations, and that the government most not promote any religion, and must have power to tax and regulate corporate entities.<br /><br /><i>“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America...The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States;... To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States... no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”<br /><br />The First Amendment reads: <br />“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”</i><br /><br />These provisions of our Constitution are why I call myself an “old-fashioned American”. Today’s radical Right would call our founders “socialists” or “communists” for their Enlightenment ideas.<br />Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-47442619079000956882022-08-26T06:53:37.133-04:002022-08-26T06:53:37.133-04:00I beg myself a pardon in advance.
If that topic is...I beg myself a pardon in advance.<br />If that topic is uninteresting or something to you.<br />But we had have civil discussion so far.<br />Related to it. And that qyestion is still intriguing to me.<br /><br />So, if you'd not like it, you can just not disclose this comment.<br />And will know, and will not rise this question again.<br /><br /><br />Thing is... that is question that boggles my mind from long ago -- about nature of so-called "communism".<br />Not as it was advertised and posed in propaganda in Soviet Union.<br />But real deal "communism".<br />And, in my opinion, but not only my, though still I do not see it as wide spread.<br /><br />Communism is nothing but thoroughly obfuscated with all means available and even possible... of nothing else as State Capitalism.<br /><br />That is when state itself becomes biggest, and most surely the only one burgious/capitalist.<br />When laws of a state become indistinguishable from inner instruction of a company.<br />And citizens reduced in impotance to a mere workforce. With their human rights stripped, if needed.<br /><br /><br /><br />So, what do you think? Can it be, that Dems being called "commies".<br />Because other party see, and say, even if subliminal (well, they do not want a notion that Capitalism is somehow bad to be wide spread too, anyhow) them as proponents of State Capitalism?<br />(forgive me this one, treat it as hipotetical)<br />Because Dems ARE proponents of State Capitalism? At least to some degree?Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-88501783256225353032022-08-09T09:43:02.793-04:002022-08-09T09:43:02.793-04:00\\There is no dishonesty in making these very real...<br /><br />\\There is no dishonesty in making these very real comparisons.The comparisons I make are reality based. Please note the difference between compare and equate:<br /><br />I have no problems what so ever with such approach.<br />Sorry if my far from perfect writing skills made it look like it.<br />My idea is overly pragmatical.<br />Means, to every move to look at what results it ends with.<br /><br />And about using words like "nazi", "fascist" and etc, I see that unsettling results -- that nazis and fascists, not in name but from their deeds, use that words to smear their opponents and to mud the whater, to thrug off imminent consequencies of being seen as nazi/fascist.<br /><br />That's why Trump using simplified lexic. As in 1984 by Orwel. The more simple the language, the easier to corrupt it.<br /><br /><br />\\"Commie" is their code word for traitor.<br /><br />Oh, that is very interesting.<br />Can you give some more info about when and how it became that way?<br />From time of Maccartism?<br />But why it not dissolved with time?<br /><br /><br />\\ Many of their voter believe that lie, just as they believe Trump's big lie about the election being "stolen" from him.<br /><br />Oh, I know that technology very well. As it was tryed here, in Ukraine.<br />And by that same people -- political consultants and ideologoues of your Right. Like Manafort.<br />When during our 2004 election struggles, end then on the next prezident election in 2010, which gave us that traitor Yanukovich, who (tryed to) sell us to Putin.<br />Where they pushed message "no mater if there not enough votes for a certain candidate, because that votes is from better, more important people, that candidate MUST win no matter what".<br /><br /><br />\\If they have the legal rights of a person, they should have the responsibilities of a person. If they benefit from our courts, the law, police and fire protections, public roads and services, etc, why shouldn't they be taxed like the rest of us?<br /><br />Why not tax owners/shareholders directly?<br /><br /><br />\\The great majority of Americans want the rich and corporations to "Pay their fair share".<br /><br />\\But the rich and corporations have the money to legally bribe and control the politicians.<br /><br />Well, that is your inner political questions.<br />Have not much to say 'bout it.Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-52935798564825465132022-08-09T09:42:32.315-04:002022-08-09T09:42:32.315-04:00\\I read "scheme" instead of "schem...\\I read "scheme" instead of "schema" in your question. Sorry I missed it. I suppose in that sense, taxes would be the opposite of assets, as in liability or overhead?<br /><br />I am interested in many things. Especially that, which was not accessible, not allowed un USSR. So when breakup of it happened, and such information became more available, I tryed to enlight myself about how our "counterparts" do their economy (in USSR only one western economy book was allowed -- Marx's Capital, but even that was greatly obfuscated).<br /><br />So, things like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debits_and_credits<br />or<br />Debits VS Credits: A Simple, Visual Guide - Bench Accounting<br />bench.co › blog › bookkeeping › debits-credits<br />29 черв. 2021 р. · In a nutshell: debits (dr) record all of the money flowing into an account, while credits (cr) record all of the money flowing out of an account ...<br /><br />So, as this breaf explanation suggests -- taxes that is something like additional expenses. Decrease amount of "all of the money". Able to decrease capital even. Shortening the profit. And as corporation is not a living being. It do not have much immunity to such a shortage.<br />And bankruptsy that is thing that is bad not only for a wealthy man --owner, but for emploees too. To a greater extent even.<br /><br /><br />\\I don't understand what you mean that corporations cannot own property or wealth.<br /><br />I tryed to quick-google it. But it not showed easily. As that thing higher<br />Well, that is some concept I read from that western economy books.<br />I remember it because it really easy to understand. To visualise.<br />What is corporation.<br /><br /><br />\\Hitler’s big lie was propaganda designed to blame European Jews for Germany’s defeat in World War I and to frame them as inferiors and traitors.<br /><br />Well, that was not his lie. So, I can give him benefit of a doubt, that he was honestly deluded on that account.<br />That was war-time propaganda, concockted by Russian Empire secret services, and spreaded in Europe, with goal to disrupt it from within.<br />But as hand of the dead device it blowed much after autor of it died.<br /><br /><br />\\George Bush and Dick Cheney used their big lie about Saddam being allied with al-Qaeda and having nuclear/biological/chemical weapons programs.<br /><br />Here. I can be sad only about one thing. That same was not done to Assad too.<br />That lie would be needed to do a right thing. :-(((<br />Who knows... maybe Putin would not be so cocky if it be so. Xi would think twice, before waging with WW3 war cryes.<br /><br />Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-40795761246871222902022-08-08T13:14:49.515-04:002022-08-08T13:14:49.515-04:00"Commie" is their code word for traitor....<br />"Commie" is their code word for traitor. Democrats are capitalists, and have no communist ideology. This makes their demonization another "big lie". Many of their voter believe that lie, just as they believe Trump's big lie about the election being "stolen" from him.<br /><br />It is dangerous, destructive and deadly. The radical Right will manufacture and promote lies, fear, hatred, and anger to get votes. It works.<br /><br />It's just like Putin calling your people Nazis. You are correct. No good comes from falsely calling anyone Nazis or communists. <br /><br />Taxes do not just lower profits. They are investments in the public's Constitutional general welfare, that also benefit corporations, as I noted above. Corporate PR will never admit this. It profits them more to complain about being "victims". HA. They OWN the Republican Party, and much of the Democratic Party. So much for dems being "commies".<br /><br />If they have the legal rights of a person, they should have the responsibilities of a person. If they benefit from our courts, the law, police and fire protections, public roads and services, etc, why shouldn't they be taxed like the rest of us?<br /><br />Corporations thrived in the days of higher taxes. The middle class grew in the days of higher taxes. Public services expanded in the days of higher taxes. The rich got richer, even in the days of higher taxes.<br /><br />In 1927 in the court case of Compañía General de Tabacos de Filipinas v. Collector of Internal Revenue a dissenting opinion was written by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.<br /><br />"Taxes are what we pay for civilized society."<br /><br />The great majority of Americans want the rich and corporations to "Pay their fair share".<br /><br />But the rich and corporations have the money to legally bribe and control the politicians.<br /><br />I see no way how that benefits our country and people.<br /><br /><br /><br />Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-22695898652251110682022-08-08T12:38:59.132-04:002022-08-08T12:38:59.132-04:00Foreigner,
I wasn't trying to twist any of you...Foreigner,<br />I wasn't trying to twist any of your words. You probably understand economics more than I do.<br /><br />I read "scheme" instead of "schema" in your question. Sorry I missed it. I suppose in that sense, taxes would be the opposite of assets, as in liability or overhead?<br /><br />I don't understand what you mean that corporations cannot own property or wealth.<br /><br />I think "artificial" would describe corporations better than "virtual". Corporations are physically and legally real entities. <br /><br />Virtual: being such in essence or effect though not formally recognized or admitted<br /><br />Artificial:humanly contrived, having existence in legal, economic, or political theory<br /><br />Big Lie: a deliberate gross distortion of the truth used especially as a propaganda tactic.<br /><br />This tactic was originated by Nazis and has been used by other authoritarians and tyrants.<br /><br />Hitler’s big lie was propaganda designed to blame European Jews for Germany’s defeat in World War I and to frame them as inferiors and traitors.<br /><br />George Bush and Dick Cheney used their big lie about Saddam being allied with al-Qaeda and having nuclear/biological/chemical weapons programs.<br /><br />Trump’s big lie is he won the 2020 election.<br /><br />Putin’s big lie is Ukraine is run by Nazis.<br /><br />All of these lies have resulted in human deaths and destruction of truth and democracy.<br /><br />The big lie is at the essence of dictatorships, fascism and and other authoritarian powers.<br /><br />There is no dishonesty in making these very real comparisons.The comparisons I make are reality based. Please note the difference between compare and equate:<br /><br />Compare: to estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between.<br /><br />Equate: consider (one thing) to be the same as or equivalent to another.<br /><br />"To compare (Putin/Hitler Trump/Hitler Trumpists/Nazis) is not the same as to say they are equal", argues historian Heinrich August Winkler in Die Zeit.<br /><br />https://twitter.com/zeitonline/status/1502622371366244354<br /><br />Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-16992834432850423252022-08-08T12:32:47.542-04:002022-08-08T12:32:47.542-04:00\\This seemed like a contradiction. Corporations o...\\This seemed like a contradiction. Corporations own property and wealth as assets.<br /><br />Not by themself, but as a proxy.<br />Like that historical slaves -- they could be bestowed with some tools, wear some cloth, even some jewels, but... they was not owners of it. Means, they cannot do with it whatever they like. Same as corporaton that rised some investments -- cannot waste it on some luxury retreat for its workers. While people, individuals, most of the time do just that -- wasting money on something that do not generate returns. Because they are self-governing entities. Owners.<br /><br />And what about that question about taxes?<br />Is it that big a problem to admit -- that taxes lowering profit, and lower profit means less able to compete business. So. If whole economy suffer from taxes that are bigger than in other countries -- that WHOLE country became poorer and poorer.(because there is no and was no government which would spend money wisely)<br /><br />That makes question of taxes not that easy and simple at all.<br />Like "make em pay, those nasty burguis".<br /><br /><br />\\Red baiting and other accusations of being a communist has been a conservative method of demeaning Democrats for decades. It angers and instills fear and hatred in their voters.<br /><br />Still... I do not understand why???<br />Why Reps see something bad in being "commie" (apart from historical reasons... but that reasons cannot last forever)?<br />Why Dems so ashamed being called "commies"?<br /><br />There must be something deeper behind that swearing.Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-47293262294883160582022-08-08T11:34:02.652-04:002022-08-08T11:34:02.652-04:00"Corporation -- it's a virtual entity. Th..."Corporation -- it's a virtual entity. That's it, it cannot have own property or wealth... Corporation can have assets”<br /><br />This seemed like a contradiction. Corporations own property and wealth as assets.<br /><br />You're right about nothing good coming from calling representatives Nazis or communists.<br /><br />I have never known of a democrat representative or president calling a republican a Nazi.<br /><br />Democrats are being called communists more than ever.<br /><br />Red baiting and other accusations of being a communist has been a conservative method of demeaning Democrats for decades. It angers and instills fear and hatred in their voters.<br /><br />This is my point. It is a fascist tactic.Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-26861213255211151072022-08-08T08:34:12.533-04:002022-08-08T08:34:12.533-04:00\\“Corporation -- it's a virtual entity. That&...\\“Corporation -- it's a virtual entity. That's it, it cannot have own property or wealth... Corporation can have assets”<br />\\<br />\\So yes.<br /><br />Sorry for pointing it out, Dave.<br />But is this what you call proper quote?<br />Here, where you cherrypicked "Corporation can have assets". While full and correct was totally opposite claim "Corporation can have assets -- but only as a debt".<br />Was I not clear with formulating my statements?<br />I do not want to believe that you use such a lowbraw treaks consciously. Deliberately?<br /><br /><br />\\They just don’t want to pay taxes for it like the rest of us have to do.<br /><br />Logically... slaves cannot pay taxes. Because they have nothing what they own.<br /><br /><br />\\More than that, corporations have been given the rights of legal personhood by our courts.<br /><br />The same was with a human slaves too.<br />Limited personhood.<br /><br /><br /><br />\\”Where is place of taxes in that schema?”<br />\\<br />\\Taxes and regulation of commerce are in our Constitution.<br /><br />Was I that bad with formulation of my statements?<br />Of course, word "schema" was about inner structure of a firm/company/corporation -- which need to use assets and investments (and human capital too) effectively -- means, sum of money recieved from selling produced goods --- must be ever bigger than expenses. Because of obvious reason (the same reason as in agriculture, where we expect that each grain of wheat or corn must give us dozen of new ones, after being planted and harvested)<br /><br />Yet one time -- what do taxes to that "sum of money recieved from selling produced goods"?<br />How it look if we'd apply it to agriculture, again?<br /><br /><br />\\I’m sure I don’t have to remind you of this sad and tragic fact.<br /><br />Naturally.<br />But I have no such freedom to call any political representatives of your people "nazis" or "commies".<br />Nothing good would come of it.<br /><br />Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-61337406071020332642022-08-07T12:40:12.179-04:002022-08-07T12:40:12.179-04:00Foreigner,
“Corporation -- it's a virtual ent...Foreigner,<br /><br /><i>“Corporation -- it's a virtual entity. That's it, it cannot have own property or wealth... Corporation can have assets”</i><br /><br />So yes. They do have property and wealth as assets. More than that, corporations have been given the rights of legal personhood by our courts. They are entitled to the protections of our laws, our military, our police, and use of our roads, courts, public services, natural resources, and yes, bankruptcy that eliminates their debts.<br /><br />They just don’t want to pay taxes for it like the rest of us have to do.<br /><br />This gives them all the privileges of being a citizen with none of the responsibilities. <br /><br /><i>”Where is place of taxes in that schema?”</i><br /><br />Taxes and regulation of commerce are in our Constitution.<br /><br />But the wealthy and their corporations resent having to pay taxes for the same rights, protections, and privileges that real human beings pay for. There is no acceptable justification for large corporations, billionaires and Donald Trump to pay less taxes than I do. Especially when they use their wealth to buy politicians to enact laws that their corporate lawyers write. Corporations also have been using their organizations to select our judges, all the way up to our Supreme Court. The “Federalist Society” has essentially chosen the last three Supreme Court Justices appointed by the Criminal President. <br /><br />That is not democracy. It is corporatocracy This is how large corporations go years without paying a dollar in federal taxes. This is why I pay more income tax in 2017 and 2018 than our Criminal President did. He paid only $750 for those years.<br /><br /><i>“Burning books? That is exactly that minor "resemblance" I was talking about.”</i><br /><br />Yes, it is one minor resemblance, but there are a disturbing number of other resemblances between our radical Right and fascists.<br /><br />As I noted, the lies, anger, hate, scapegoating, racist white supremacy, a violent insurrection (Putsch), and efforts to dismantle our voting rights and elections add up to quite a number of similarities. <br /><br />I’ve never said our Republicans are Nazis, but their shared elements of racism and fascist authoritarianism are real.<br /><br />The Nazis didn’t begin with burning people in concentration camps and starting a war, but with lies, racist hate and a Putsch.<br /><br />There is a dark, selfish, hateful, authoritarian side of human nature in many of those who are trying to rule over the rest of us.<br /><br />This is unfortunately true around the world.<br /><br />I’m sure I don’t have to remind you of this sad and tragic fact.<br /><br />Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-6564032393311383192022-08-07T10:02:53.155-04:002022-08-07T10:02:53.155-04:00\\Ukraine has Putin to blame for their situation, ...\\Ukraine has Putin to blame for their situation, but much of the world feels it in global inflation and food and energy shortages.<br /><br />Of which Putin is the main culprit.<br /><br /><br />\\“Democracy -- that its a worst kind of government... ONLY, all others are much worse.”<br />I think Churchill first sad this. We have a political party dedicated to dismantling democracy by voter suppression and election denial.<br /><br />I cannot say neither positive nor negative opinion about it. As that is strictly your inner political affairs. Commenting it would be unwise, and counter-productive -- twice as that because I would not like such a comments about my dear Ukraine inner struggles.<br /><br />Like that recent report from Amnesty International.<br /><br /><br />\\I don’t know of any billionaire who lives in poverty after bankruptcy.<br /><br />Khm? There's not so many billionaires.<br />But, what about mere millioneires? Some little business owners? Members of their families? Mere workers?<br />Well, modern society much more forgiving. We do not throw debters in a pit any more. There is proper procedure of bankruptsy. Still, I myself do not see path of billioneire that easy and pleasant. From what I know -- that is like riding a bike (you go while you pedaling) than regular bus most of us commoners used to.<br /><br /><br />\\often shareholders lose much of their equity.<br /><br />Well, that is what risk of being shareholder is about, isn't it?<br /><br /><br /><br />\\Corporations and the rich have bought enough politicians to assure they pay lower income tax rates than the middle class. They enjoy tax breaks and government subsidies for their businesses and have the best lawyers finding ways to get out of paying taxes.<br /><br />Well, but do you know what they paying taxes from?<br />Corporation -- it's a virtual entity. That's it, it cannot have own property or wealth. It is like a "slave" in that account. That is what your, western economic science do say. And within that framwork -- legal framework of doing business, developed through great struggles through history. That developed of two-side ladger, as in accounting -- one side for assets, one side for debts.<br />Corporation can have assets -- but only that, that was payed for from "debt" side. And that "debt" given to it by owners/shareholders as initial or extended capital and investments.<br /><br />And, through its chief staff and mere workers, using it to produce some goods and realising it commercially. For a good price. To increase sum of assets.<br />Common sense idea -- sum of assets must ever grow bigger and bigger >> than sum of "debt".<br /><br />Where is place of taxes in that schema? That is question to you.<br />If you don't mind it to answer. That simple question.<br /><br /><br />\\The Republican Right denies the existence of systemic racism and have banned the teaching of the history of slavery and racism. They also like to burn books by people they hate. Sound familiar?<br /><br />Burning books? That is exactly that minor "resembnlance" I was taling about.<br />That can be a distraction/diversion/twisting the truth -- that they was buring people, actually.Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-44294541425547194792022-08-06T12:01:06.639-04:002022-08-06T12:01:06.639-04:00“But for all other World too, I feel.”
The world i...“But for all other World too, I feel.”<br />The world is getting smaller. We will all feel the effects of global warming and the serious food shortages, disruptions in our societies. Ukraine has Putin to blame for their situation, but much of the world feels it in global inflation and food and energy shortages. What will be the consequences of mass migration due to rising oceans and temperatures? I’m afraid we might find out sooner rather than later.<br /><br /><br /><br />“Democracy -- that its a worst kind of government... ONLY, all others are much worse.”<br />I think Churchill first sad this. We have a political party dedicated to dismantling democracy by voter suppression and election denial.<br /><br /><br />“Well, they will not recieve wellfare if gone bankrupt.”<br />A family that is bankrupted by medical costs will never recover like a billionaire who files for bankruptcy. <br /><br />I don’t know of any billionaire who lives in poverty after bankruptcy. <br /><br />Trump’s companies have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection 6 times, which means a company can remain in business while wiping away many of its debts. The bankruptcy court ultimately approves a corporate budget and a plan to repay remaining debts; often shareholders lose much of their equity.<br /><br />And yes, if he was completely broke, he would still be entitled to welfare and Social Security. He would always have his cult to send him money. He’s asking for donations to pay lawyers for his upcoming criminal cases.<br /><br /><br />no equal justice under law, or fairness in the economy.<br /><br />“That later, I do not quite understand meaning of it. Can you elaborate?”<br /><br />Corporations and the rich have bought enough politicians to assure they pay lower income tax rates than the middle class. They enjoy tax breaks and government subsidies for their businesses and have the best lawyers finding ways to get out of paying taxes. <br /><br />For two years I paid more income tax than Trump. In 2016, Trump paid only $750 in federal income tax, and in 2017, he paid another $750 in federal income tax.<br /><br />Then there is our minimum pay rate. The federal minimum of $7.25 per hour has been in effect for 13 years. Republicans would have the minimum wage eliminated entirely.<br /><br />Racial injustice and class warfare are still real and the effects can be deadly.<br />“I think inhabitants of Africa, Brazilian favels and dirtiest parts of Asia would agree with you on that... only, I fear they would count you in one bunch with them, at whom you pointing.”<br /><br />Systemic Racism: policies and practices that exist throughout a whole society or organization, and that result in and support a continued unfair advantage to some people and unfair or harmful treatment of others based on race<br /><br />The Republican Right denies the existence of systemic racism and have banned the teaching of the history of slavery and racism. They also like to burn books by people they hate. Sound familiar?<br /><br />Unlike many other countries, healthcare is NOT a right in the US. People suffer and die because they cannot afford preventive treatment and preventive care. Black people suffer more due to our history of systemic racism and class warfare that opposes the right to healthcare.<br /><br />Covid death rates among the poor and Blacks show this to be true.<br />Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-6899770792010280332022-08-06T05:10:30.487-04:002022-08-06T05:10:30.487-04:00\\I admire your optimism and hope your are correct...\\I admire your optimism and hope your are correct about better times to come.<br /><br />That is different from optimism.<br />That is much closer to "do or die", under current circumstances.<br />For Ukraine.<br />But for all other World too, I feel.<br /><br /><br />\\The rich reap many more benefits from our system and government than the rest of us.<br /><br />Only, world in which rich reap no benefits... is much much worse.<br />You know, like with that saying about Democracy -- that its a worst kind of government... ONLY, all others are much worse.<br /><br /><br />\\As with taxes and regulation of commerce, the economic elites are very greedy and feel entitled to suppress our Constitutional rule of law.<br /><br />Well, they will not recieve wellfare if gone bankrupt.<br /><br /><br />\\There is still no equal justice under law, or fairness in the economy. <br /><br />That later, I do not quite understand meaning of it. Can you elaborate?<br /><br /><br />\\Racial injustice and class warfare are still real and the effects can be deadly.<br /><br />Hmm... I think inhabitants of Africa, Brazilian favels and dirtiest parts of Asia would agree with you on that... only, I fear they would count you in one bunch with them, at whom you pointing.Foreignernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134372208798387606.post-52547003928101313212022-08-05T14:46:20.926-04:002022-08-05T14:46:20.926-04:00I admire your optimism and hope your are correct a...I admire your optimism and hope your are correct about better times to come.<br /><br />It won't be easy. Younger people have my sympathy for what lies ahead for them. There are positive signs. Young people are more exposed to different people, experiences and ideas today. And they are less racist.<br /><br />The class warfare Buffet refers to is framed in his statement that he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.<br /><br />The rich reap many more benefits from our system and government than the rest of us. Their Republican Party want to take away our social safety nets like Social Security for retirement and Medicare for seniors. These are the provision for the general welfare under our Constitution.<br /><br />As with taxes and regulation of commerce, the economic elites are very greedy and feel entitled to suppress our Constitutional rule of law. <br /><br />Trump sees himself above the law. He's not that different from a lot of them, who feel very entitled to their exclusive privileges.<br /><br />The wealthy are less likely to be convicted of crimes and get off with lighter sentences if they are convicted.<br /><br />As I noted, the wealthy are far more represented and influential in government than the majority. Republicans are suppressing voter rights across the country, especially in Black districts.<br /><br />In WWII German prisoners of war were treated better than American Blacks, even the ones who went to war to fight Nazis. Nazi prisoners were allowed to ride in "whites only" train cars, eat in restaurants and go to theatres that banned Blacks, who still had to fight for the right to vote and be free of racist oppression. <br /><br />There is still no equal justice under law, or fairness in the economy. <br /><br />It's not as bad as a hundred years ago, but inequality and upper class privilege still plague us.<br /><br />Corporate control of healthcare, (as in denial of it) and inflated cost of medicine are two examples.<br /><br />They get away with charging more for meds here than in any other country, because they pull the strings of government. People die because they can't afford meds and healthcare.<br /><br />Racial injustice and class warfare are still real and the effects can be deadly.<br /><br />Dave Dubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279370558997246976noreply@blogger.com