[Platt] ...perhaps we should start apply the principles of the MOQ to some moral issues that matter in our daily lives. For example: Is it moral for politicians to promise benefits using other people's money?
[DMB] Maybe the question should be less abstract. Let's look at a particular politician and his actual policies and ask a moral question based on that, eh? [Arlo] It's also empty rhetoric. I doubt any person would be against the promising of roadway and waterway rebuilding and repairs to improve our daily lives. New superhighways pass greater traffic and goods, open waterways and ports allow international trade, and both afford many the possibility of recreation and professional travel. When "Politician A" promises to collect taxes to improve our roads and waterways, I consider this moral social infrastructure building. In the same way, when Politician A proposes to collect taxes to fund public libraries, museums, parks or even fire, police and EMT services, I find this also quite moral. Immoral would be a system where only the wealthy had access to books, art, or fire protection services. Or consider the politician who promises to improve our lives by collecting taxes to fund border safeguards, airport security and increasing the size of our legal and court systems. And, in the same way, I see nothing immoral with collecting taxes to provide support so that none are without food, medicine or basic shelter. Food banks, free clinics, and temporary housing are just some ways we demonstrate the basic value of human life and dignity at the core of our culture (I would hope, anyway). Indeed, I find it always pathetic that some decry that "my money" is used to help a poor family eat a meal, or give a child from a poor family flu vaccine. Money truly is "god" to many, and the mercantilist rhetoric that has infected our culture is deep-rooted. And, as you say, the code underlying the rhetoric is simply hatred of non-whites, coupled with a smug sense of superiority. But you make the assumption that Platt would want to distance himself from that. Hardly, a simple perusal of your archives should provide you with ample evidence to the contrary. Moq_Discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
