Re: Economic Basics
@jmch
"You know there IS a middle ground between communism and fascism right?"
Not much. both are the state direction of resources, the difference is communism takes nationalises them while facism directs the private enterprise. Both competing against each other on the far left as competing theories.
"Look at the social models of Scandinavian countries"
Interesting models with increased privatisation and more redistribution which has been shown to work on a homogeneous grouping although suffering the distinct damage caused from high tax which greatly reduces their growth causing them to ride on the backs of others. An interesting observation being the lack of change in class (social mobility) which the social models effectively entrenched.
"US-style libertarianism has produced healthcare that is both more expensive and worse than any other 'western' country."
Amusing but no. It is the worst of western countries. It is also the pioneer of a great deal of the technology, drugs, therapy and advancements even though the government interferences have inflicted an awful insurance system which they managed to even make worse. Yet the 'solution' proposed on the left is more gov cockup into the process. The last such intervention (Obama) leaving people without insurance (even people preferring no insurance!) and higher premiums in a woefully underfunded package.
The Scandinavian one showing private healthcare isnt the problem.
"What was once the 'land of opportunity' has among the lowest social mobility of any 'western' country."
Amusingly and supporting you is the observation that the US is less freemarket than Scandinavia.
"And I believe it should be possible to lift the poorest people of the world out of poverty without simultaneously appropriating their resources on the cheap, stripping their environments bare and polluting their air and water."
And you would be wrong. Its a nice sentiment and I get that desire but where has that happened? Its been tried, communism and its various other socialist incarnations showing how much worse it can be.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
