On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 8:55 PM, Kevin Dean <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Please note this is an OFF LIST reply, since it is off topic for > Openmoko mailing lists. Huh? I agree, this is off topic but your reply did go out to the entire list. > > > On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 9:02 PM, Lowell Higley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > If I make an observation.. I am an American by birth but have lived all > over > > the world.. In the middle of the Pacific, Korea, and now Europe (again). > > One of the things I have noticed is that the laws in Europe tend to > protect > > the consumer whereas the laws in the US tend to protect big business. > > Why do you instantly assume there two sides are opposed to each other? > Now, let me say I agree that corporations (definition: a legal entity > recognized by the government for the purpose of shielding the > individual for personal responsibillity for their actions) are in > general a bad thing since it means if a person does something "bad" > while conducting business they don't suffer penalties. If, however, a > person running an honest business manages to be "big", I see nothing > wrong at ALL with them. > Businesses (big AND small) provide services and products to people. > They don't use violence to get what they want (even Microsoft doesn't > send the police or military to your house for refusing to buy their > licenses). If people said "I don't like how you conduct business and I > refuse to give you my money!" those businesses (large and small) would > stop doing that thing because they want to stay in business! > First, the observation was a generalization.. notice the word "tend". No "assumptions" were made. No one said the two sides were opposed. If that is something you drew from the observation then I think that is something you added...not me. Again, notice the words "tend to". Nothing is absolute nor did I infer it was. Perhaps I should have used the verbage "laws tend to favor" and not "protect"? Would that make a difference? > > > I could give many examples but I think this whole "contact vs. no > contract" > > discussion is a perfect example. imho. > > I was raised as a liberal Democrat. That said, I can sit back and > (with the best of them) argue the liberal perspective about how "big > business takes advantage" of the "little guy/working class". > > I was also raised to believe that I should question everything and not > accept what other people tell me without some proof. In EVERY > arguement against "big business" there is one key factor - the > government. How "big" might Microsoft be if the government (which > funds every government school and university in just about every > nation of the world) didn't pick teachers who demanded their > assignments be submitted in .doc format? How many business might exist > worldwide if the government didn't mandate licenses and zoning and all > kinds of other things that prevent people (who create wealth by simply > existing!) who have very little money from starting honest businesses > and earning money by providing services and goods to people? How many > deaths might be avoided if the government let people and their doctors > determine if a medication was "safe enough" for their specific > situation? > No one has asked you to accept anything. It was merely a "personal observation." It was not some sort of law or edict I came down from the hills with to force on anyone. If you want evidence of why I believe my observation is correct, I'd be happy to share them with you. However, I don't think this is the time or place for it. > > > > > Just a personal observation... shoot me down if you like. > > I don't mean to shoot you down. I just find it disconcerning how many > people "attack" business owners, demand regulation which forces up > prices and reduces control and than blame businesses for increased > prices and decreased control. Hopefully some people will critically > evaluate things... > No one "attacked" business owners. I merely pointed out a difference *I* believe exists in the laws between the US and Europe. Not once did I ever say business(es), big or small, was doing anything wrong in either the US or Europe. Again, if you would like I will share with you why I believe my observation is true... I could also point out why I think both systems is good for consumers and business alike (they would obviously be different lists). However, I don't think it is appropriate to post to the list because it is wildly off topic, as you previously highlighted. Sometimes I think messages on this list get blown way out of proportion. Right now, I believe that is the case with this entire thread. If I offended anyone with my observation, I apologize, that was not my intent. > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Openmoko community mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Openmoko community mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community >
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