I know that this is way off topic, and became so when we started to talk about Olson Memorial Highway, (Tim must be asleep or on vacation), but Mr. Thompson has really now succinctly stated his position, when he writes, "However, when one states that all government should do is promote the "common good" that to me sounds like a socialistic state."
So my question to Mr. Thompson is, do you think government should get out of the business of promoting the "public good", since you claim it is "sounds like a socialistic state"; Should the government get out of providing free public education? Should the government get out of building and maintaining our streets and roads? Should the government stop acquiring and maintaining parks? Should the Army Corps of Engineers cease to control flooding on the Mississippi and all the other rivers in America? Should the government stop buying books and computers for our libraries and shut them down? These are all things that help the "common good". Which ones should the government stop doing Mr. Thompson? Dan Dobson Saint Paul --- Tom & Elsa Thompson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > "ps By the way, in the most technical sense of the > term, socialism, communism, and > capitalism are all economic systems; democracy, > oligarcy, monarchy, autocracy, etc. > are political ones, and combinations of economic and > political systems are possible, > but they remain separate systems. " > > While socialism and communism may be considered > economic systems and democracy, etc considered > political systems; I don't think that people who > lived under those systems consider themselves > free. Nor do I think they would say that they had > free elections, which a democracy would require. > You are advocating a system of government where all > incentive to succeed, all incentive to > better ones self is gone. Government will take care > of you, you don't need to do anything. These > systems have always and will always fail. Because > people want to be free from government intrusion > and once they taste freedom they will not go back to > these systems. > > "I didn't call anyone on this forum dumb" and > "Right-wing fanatics at their dumbest > (or most entertaining, take your pick)." > > I guess I'll have to take you at your word, but it > sounds and reads to me like I was called > a right wing fanatic and dumb, for having beliefs > different than yours. Guess to me it seems > that the right wing (Republicans) have a much bigger > tent and more inclusive of new ideas > and dissent from others and within their own party > than the left wing (Democrats). > > "It's pretty sad when people think that working for > "the common good, (and) the welfare and happiness of > all" is socialism or communism." > > I never said government wasn't there to provide > certain things, primarily security and protection. > However, when one states that all government should > do is promote the "common good" that to > me sounds like a socialistic state. When one talks > about governments primary role as being for the > "welfare" of all, that sounds socialistic to me. I > want government to get out of the way of people > being able to better themselves. And sure your > going to say that people will pollute everything and > step > on anyone to get ahead. You can believe that if you > wish. I happen to believe that people > are inherently good, and they will usually do what > is right while moving ahead. For those couple who > don't then go after them, but don't label everyone > or start banning things because one or two > people step out of line. Work to get them in line, > government doesn't have to babysit and be > there for every need someone has. Independence and > self reliance. Initiative and motivation. Words > we need more of from individuals and less from > government. > > I say again, this thread is not appropriate for this > forum, it is philosophical and not St Paul specific. > I will > however, respond to statements made about me. So, > Tim, please have people refrain from continuing > this this type of thread. > > Tom Thompson > Como Park > _____________________________________________ > To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > _____________________________________________ > NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your > password - visit: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > > Archive Address: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ > _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
