“Good news: looking at what people consume, the war on poverty has been almost completely won.”
What malarkey.
This is the consummate failure of capitalism: we view people simply as cogs, whose purpose is to consume and push forward the economy. It’s Nassau Senior level philosophy that tells us that people are only worth what they can contribute to the economy, and thus the only real crime is being too poor to spend. This is why capitalism and communism are the same sides of a coin, and if Dr. Goodman really believes this then he might want to consider that Marx and Lenin would be right there with him.
“This is the consummate failure of capitalism: we view people simply as cogs, whose purpose is to consume and push forward the economy.”
. . . I think you mean that when a person can work to earn enough to meet his family’s needs the person at the same time becomes a “consumer”. That’s what you meant – right?
And I’d say the ability for a person to work and earn is no kind of systematic failure; instead, it’s vindication of Adam Smith’s insight that by pursuing one’s own interests one actually helps the larger community.
Neither I nor my family view me as a “cog” and I must assume you don’t view yourself as a “cog” either. Isn’t that correct?
Anyway, America was not begun as a capitalist society. It was begun at Plymouth as a socialist society. It turned out, socialist principles did not work at Plymouth. The colonists noticed; they were practical; they changed their way. If you have not already done so, I recommend you read William Bradford’s “Of Plymouth Plantation” specifically paragraph 217:
“The experience that was had in this commone course and condition, tried sundrie years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanitie of that conceite of Platos and other ancients, applauded by some of later times – that the taking away of propertie, and bringing in communitie into a comone wealth, would make them happy and florishing; as if they were wiser than God. For this comunitie (so farr as it was) was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much imployment that would have been to their benefite and comforte. For the yong-men that were most able and fitte for labour and servise did repine that they should spend their time and streingth to worke for other mens wives and children, with out any recompence. The strong, or man of parts, had no more in devission of victails and cloaths, then he that was weake and not able to doe a quarter the other could; this was thought injuestice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalised in labours, and victails, cloaths, etc., with the meaner and yonger sorte, thought it some indignite and disrespect unto them. And for mens wives to be commanded to doe servise for other men, as dresing their meate, washing their cloaths, etc., they deemd it a kind of slaverie, neither could many husbands well brooke it. Upon the poynte all being to have alike, and all to doe alike, they thought them selves in the like condition, and one as good as another; and so, if it did not cut of those relations that God hath set amongest men, yet it did at least much diminish and take of the mutuall respects that should be preserved amongst them. And would have bene worse if they had been men of another condition. Let none objecte this is mens corruption, and nothing to the course it selfe. I answer, seeing all men have this corruption in them, God in his wisdome saw another course fiter for them.”
Interesting article about the flu vaccine.
Indeed. It’s good to see a pro-vaccine message.
Yeah. Vaccines have gotten a bad rap that they don’t deserve.
Mostly through bogus research, but yeah, they do far more good than harm.
“Does support for ObamaCare reflect lack of empathy for the young?”
Yes. Support for most government policies reflects a lack of empathy for the young.
Or if you’re against Obamacare, are you a racist?
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/the-color-of-affordable-care/?_r=0
Baby Boomers want it all, even if they have to take it from their own children.
“Good news: looking at what people consume, the war on poverty has been almost completely won.”
What malarkey.
This is the consummate failure of capitalism: we view people simply as cogs, whose purpose is to consume and push forward the economy. It’s Nassau Senior level philosophy that tells us that people are only worth what they can contribute to the economy, and thus the only real crime is being too poor to spend. This is why capitalism and communism are the same sides of a coin, and if Dr. Goodman really believes this then he might want to consider that Marx and Lenin would be right there with him.
“Obesity paradox: studies showing overweight people live longer may suffer from measurement error.”
Headline: science defies common sense, few people question it until disproven.
Scientism has become the dogma of modernity, and heaven help those who defy it.
“Why the Kentucky exchange is working while other state exchanges aren’t; hint: the problem isn’t “glitches.””
So the Kentucky one is just better designed?
They probably contracted it out to a private firm to make it, hence it’s doing better.
Even if that’s not the case, it just shows how disjointed the whole system is.
If states can do that and do better, why even bother with a federal program?
“Does support for ObamaCare reflect lack of empathy for the young?”
If anything it shows support for the young who wouldn’t be able to get insurance without it.
Why would they want Obamacare’s insurance? They’re young and healthy.
Hopefully they realize that accidents do happen, and that they have a need to pay in so other less-fortunate people can afford insurance.
“This is the consummate failure of capitalism: we view people simply as cogs, whose purpose is to consume and push forward the economy.”
. . . I think you mean that when a person can work to earn enough to meet his family’s needs the person at the same time becomes a “consumer”. That’s what you meant – right?
And I’d say the ability for a person to work and earn is no kind of systematic failure; instead, it’s vindication of Adam Smith’s insight that by pursuing one’s own interests one actually helps the larger community.
Neither I nor my family view me as a “cog” and I must assume you don’t view yourself as a “cog” either. Isn’t that correct?
Anyway, America was not begun as a capitalist society. It was begun at Plymouth as a socialist society. It turned out, socialist principles did not work at Plymouth. The colonists noticed; they were practical; they changed their way. If you have not already done so, I recommend you read William Bradford’s “Of Plymouth Plantation” specifically paragraph 217:
“The experience that was had in this commone course and condition, tried sundrie years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanitie of that conceite of Platos and other ancients, applauded by some of later times – that the taking away of propertie, and bringing in communitie into a comone wealth, would make them happy and florishing; as if they were wiser than God. For this comunitie (so farr as it was) was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much imployment that would have been to their benefite and comforte. For the yong-men that were most able and fitte for labour and servise did repine that they should spend their time and streingth to worke for other mens wives and children, with out any recompence. The strong, or man of parts, had no more in devission of victails and cloaths, then he that was weake and not able to doe a quarter the other could; this was thought injuestice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalised in labours, and victails, cloaths, etc., with the meaner and yonger sorte, thought it some indignite and disrespect unto them. And for mens wives to be commanded to doe servise for other men, as dresing their meate, washing their cloaths, etc., they deemd it a kind of slaverie, neither could many husbands well brooke it. Upon the poynte all being to have alike, and all to doe alike, they thought them selves in the like condition, and one as good as another; and so, if it did not cut of those relations that God hath set amongest men, yet it did at least much diminish and take of the mutuall respects that should be preserved amongst them. And would have bene worse if they had been men of another condition. Let none objecte this is mens corruption, and nothing to the course it selfe. I answer, seeing all men have this corruption in them, God in his wisdome saw another course fiter for them.”
We are an ever evolving people and culture. Let the higher power guide us to our true destiny.