Vern is correct. The Church actually supports treating people fairly which means a labor union if needed should be formed, however it is not always needed
No, this is a misunderstanding of many things.
Because free markets are designed to allow equal people to compete and reap rewards. When certain segments cannot compete effectively you have serious problems; which are reduced by minimum wageApparently, to be truly holy, you have to do it with someone else’s money.
It’s like the Minimum Wage – those who press hardest for it don’t have any employees. And I can’t understand why – since as they will tell you, they’re much smarter, holier and more moral than people who actually do create jobs and employ people.
Social Contract Theory is atheists claiming no God given Moral Natural Law
I’m the OP, and I don’t mind at all. In fact i think it’s on topic, or close enough!
I’m pretty sure you can believe in social contract theory without being an athiest. It’s just that they don’t believe that God has given specific authority for governments to rule without hte consent of the people.
You are so correct that strenght comes in numbers. You have reached a prudential judgment that such collective efforts should be combined with the use of the force of the government.
You have reached the prudential judgement that reducing taxes on higher incomes is unjust. I have reached the prudential judgment that lowering such taxes will create more jobs and benefit the weakest among us. We are both exercising our individual prudential judgment within the Teachings of the Church. Your inference that you are more concerned about the poor than those who disagree with you is an offense against the truth and grave matter.
Thank you for making my point for me – “Slashing taxes on the wealthy?” is it? You do realize that 48% of wage earners in this country pay no income tax at all?
Actually, minimum wage has just the opposite effect – the less skilled and educated are prohibited from competing.
Now,** there’s** a nasty, hate-filled post for you.
The truth is only hateful or nasty when you disagree with it…Now,** there’s** a nasty, hate-filled post for you.
Two comments: All of the people in the military are volunteers. When they enlist, the agree to obey the orders of their superiors and the President. By the way, I opposed the intervention into Iraq. But I also believe that the decision is rightly delegated to Congress and the President.
I am not one of those who spews hatred at those whose sin is disagreeing with me. But this is a nasty, hate-filled comment:The truth is only hateful or nasty when you disagree with it…
I suppose the pope’s comment:
“This worrying situation appeals to the conscience of mankind because the conditions being suffered by such a large number of people are such as to offend the dignity of human beings and, as a consequence, to compromise the authentic and harmonious progress of the world community.”
Is nasty and hate filled to your ears also…
No one has insulted you. No one has called you names. No one has imputed beliefs to you that you have not expressed.
Never said they weren’t. I am only commenting on the concept of collectivism within this context and attitudes accurately described as collectivist among those of the right wing. My discussion has nothing to do with the troops or president so don’t sideline the discussion. The OP is about socialism which presupposes a collectivist mentality which is what I was discussing.
Agreed.
Who said anything about pointing guns at anyone? I am a complete pacifist and vehemetly disavow violence of any type. I hope to God that you are not advocating violence. Violence is wrong. I think Jesus was pretty clear on that.
Who said anything about expropriating property from others? What are you proposing, that land and possession be stripped from those who own it? That is rather Stalinesque and completely confirms anything that Vern has derided about what he thinks socialism is. If this is what you are describing as socialism, Vern is right!!! I disagree with you completely.
LOl! I sincerely enjoy your joke but would point out that you have done that very thing to me in the past…
What names have I called you? How have I insulted you? If my expression of my observations has offended you I apologize up front and without reservation.
Exactly the sort of excuse a bigot would make if a Black person objected to him using the “N” word.
The government is able to collect taxes because it has the power to “point a gun” (figurative for imprisoning by force) at those who choose to object. To the extent that taxation is flat, a case can be made that it is equitable. However, when they select a certain class and say we are going to expropriate disproptionately from them, they do so through force that they do not inflict on others.
You are making a valid argument here. There are many tax evaders who believe they are completely within their right to do so because the government is stealing from them. It is up to the populace in a democracy to decide on the “terms” of the social contract. Given this perspective, “theft”, whether it be “forced expropriation” via taxes or simply larceny is a matter of perspective. Government can be either a Robin Hood or a simple highwayman given your political leanings.
And as I have mentioned before, you never see those who favor taking from others say, “Hey! The government isn’t taking in enough money, so ***I ***will work harder, risk my savings, start a business, employ others and increase the cash flow to the government.”
umm, given that I have been on the receiving end of many a slur, I have no idea what you are talking about. If I have offended you with a slur I completely apologize.Exactly the sort of excuse a bigot would make if a Black person objected to him using the “N” word.