Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Feb 12^th, 2014 at 11:16am:


Yes, Mistie, the "progressives" are very bourgeois here. They've infiltrated the Republican Party in the US, the Conservative party in the UK, and they've managed to Shanghai the global economic agenda in symposiums like the World Economic Forum.

They think the growing divide in wealth threatens global stability. In Thailand, it's led to the rise of billionaire-political dynasties like the Shinawatras, alongside the poverty of the rural farmers Thaksin Shinawatra has won over - an issue that has led the "Yellow Shirts" to question the viability of democracy itself.

In Russia, it's led to the anti-Putin movement, where Russian power is centralized in the hands of Putin and a few compliant billionaires who've been sold former state industries (with state loans brokered by Putin). Moscow is now the most expensive city in the world - while the rest of Russia are lucky to have jobs.

In China, it's a powerless rural mass who are forced to make way for state development and the business of the "princelings"; the ex-Communist billionaires/families who run China and now own much of the world's debt in the form of US bonds. China manages to supress political instability through its one-party state, but cracks are appearing in some areas and provinces. The internet, TV and print media are heavily censored, but many are questioning the new materialist values and the unparalleled (unequal) distribution of wealth. 

This economic model is influential throughout Africa, Latin America and South East Asia, along with the countries above. In the US, the gap has risen dramaticaly since the 1960s, peaking after the tax cuts and corporate welfare of the last Bush administration. CEO bonuses have reached the hundreds of millions. After the GFC, those who brokered the loans who caused it were paid out. After the Savings and Loans Crisis of the Reagan 80s, they were jailed or fined.

This is a model that has given over 60% of the world's resources to 4% of its population. It's a model that sees 90% of the world's population scramble for the spoils of the 10% who own the world's wealth, along with what we call the urban middle classes - that's people like you and me. We make up 10%.

And it's a model where such inequality directly causes environmental problems, food and energy insecurity, urban overcrowding and slums, and associated issues with public health, water, sanitation, and even famines.

In much of the developing world, such mass poverty is contrasted with a tiny corporate/political elite who bunker down behind razor wire in fortress-style compounds. In countries like South Africa, Peru and the Philippines, they employ SWAT-style security teams with machine guns and armoured vehicles, who are, for all intents and purposes, above the law. In parts of Latin America, they are the law, the drug cartels having taken over governments and the courts.

Putin's new private dacha is estimated to have cost 4 billion dollars to build. Helipads, bomb shelters, conferencing facilities, the lot. It's believed to be the most expensive private residence in history.

If you think the growing wealth gap is "just an excuse for the envious to tear down the more successful", you probably haven't been out much. After all, the successful aren't too happy about it themselves. In the US, many of the successful, like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and George Soros, have been arguing for higher taxes for years - they've even formed their own lobby group, the "Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength".

I wonder if they know how destructive a social policy equality is. Still, you work in the uni, so you'd know all about this. I doubt they teach economics at your leftist, "progressive" uni, Mistie. They're probably too busy teaching creative and critical thinking skills. Typical.

Still, these are important skills to have. After all, you never argue mere "moral" points of view, you only discuss facts and you always provide examples.

Joe Blow and his ride-on lawnmower is an excellent example, Mistie.

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Feb 12^th, 2014 at 11:17am:


Scottish?

Karnal wrote on Feb 12^th, 2014 at 12:55pm:


Yawn. Equality won't happen. It can't happen. Nor should it happen. Equal in what? Equality in everyone having 3 BMWs? Equality in the size of your lawn? Or equal to live in garbage bins? It's a silly word that throws the topic into hazy territory. The aim should be to elevate the poor to minimum subsistence. Throw the word equality out.

sir prince duke alevine wrote on Feb 13^th, 2014 at 11:22pm:


Excellent riposte. Let's hope it is not pearls before swine, however, I fear that is being optimistic...

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Feb 13^th, 2014 at 10:35pm:


No, Mistie, equality in things like access to basic health care, education, subsistance wages and safe working conditions.

I understand lawns and garbage bins are important to you. It's good to be neat and tidy, and these are worthwhile values to have.

But 90% of people on the planet have more pressing concerns, and this number is growing. The number of people with tidy lawns and bins is getting smaller, despite the burgening middle classes in countries like India and China.

Liberal-demokratic ideology holds that equality will happen the more countries develop. It says that as a middle classe emerges and grows, so will political freedoms, freedom of speech, popular elections, etc, etc, etc.

Equality is a value intrinsic to liberal-demokracy, and this is the dominant political ideology in the world today. The big geopolitical question now is whether China will develop in such a direction.

Yawn.

Karnal wrote on Feb 14^th, 2014 at 9:33am:



these things have all been achieved in australia. the dream has been realised and the left should fall to their knees and give thanks and stop whinging

We have equality of opportunity in australia.
ANYONE with the drive and determination can make it , to achieve anything they wish.
They are more likely to make it , if we start the resilience training, the toughening up, the "life wasnt meant to be easy", the "harden up princess" training as soon as possible.
We need to instil in young people (who have these wonderful health and education opportunities) that set backs, problems, obstacles, disappointments are all just "grist for the mill". that an obstacle is a stepping stone.
We need to get rid of the false leftard notion of the lawnmower parent who runs in front of the child, clearing a path so that the childs path is easy.
Only through dealing with obstacles (bullying, injustice, inequality) and overcoming them , will true self belief , self esteem and achievement be realised.

The greatest sportsmen (look at rafal nadal with sever arthritis at age 12) recognise this.
Lefties and hand wringers,  i dislike them not because i am some arrogant rich prick but becuase their doctrine, in the end , causes SO MUCH SUFFERING.
I'm not crazy, far from it. I have seen the light