What's any of this nonsense have to do with St. Paul?
Regardless, your comment "Fundamentally, the purpose of a democracy is to restrain capitalism to humane
practices" invalidates anything else you had to say. If you don't know the purpose of democracy or its relationship to economics, it's no wonder you "don't have any answers. Only questions."
I hate to be harsh (you know me), but it's this fundamental misunderstanding of the three pillars of a free society (democracy, individual liberty, economic freedom) that makes a leftist a leftist in the free-est, most prosperous and powerful nation in the history of the world. In order to BE free, you must first understand what it MEANS to be free, and what makes YOU free and others not. Having the government solve your problems or pay for your stuff, doesn't make you free.
Sorry, off my reluctant soapbox now.
Dennis Tester Mac-Groveland
----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 10:32 AM
Subject: [StPaul] Juxtaposition in history
Okay, I'll bite.
Am responding to the MPR thread, previous posts about corporate subsidies
(pick your favorite, economic development/downtown Saint Paul, pharmaceutical
bailout, ya da).
Had a recent conversation with brother about how it seems we're at a
juxtaposition of history much like the industrial revolution. At the time,
unrestrained capitalism led to the robber barons, child labor, unholy work conditions
(e.g., mining). In essence, the acquisition of capital at the expense of
human capital.
Thanks to the labor movement, child labor laws, the 40 hour work week, and
other worker and environmental protections were established. (I still think
the labor folks need to create a bumper sticker that reads, "Unions - the
people that brought you the weekend." Too many see themselves as separate, not
benefiting from this historical effort.)
Today, technology has redefined capitalism on the global scale. UK 411
calls are answered in India, WalMart strong-arms vendors into outsourcing to
China. What doesn't apply are the protections on a global scale - US companies
pay below minimum wage in China where laws aren't enforced; perhaps most
appalling are the companies operating on the other side of the Rio Grande, causing
birth defects and miscarriages on both sides of the river (US and Mexico).
Ultimately, what's happening describes the tension between capitalism and
democracy. Unrestrained capitalism says, "Go for the gold, regardless of the
cost." Democracy says "Of the people, by the people, for the people."
Fundamentally, the purpose of a democracy is to restrain capitalism to humane
practices. Unfortunately, we don't have an international code of ethics that
applies.
I'm all for the values vote: cast your vote where your values lay, but I
have a really hard time understanding how people can't see past what people say
to what they do. I understand (but may be wrong) that last year the White
House asked the EPA to change a chapter of their annual report. The EPA wrote
back, "We don't change science." By executive order, that chapter was
eliminated from the report; and I understand an annual housing report was due out
in October, but the White House ordered its release delayed until after the
election. (It would be great if someone would go back and check these. I
didn't save.)
I always thought actions speak louder than words. How many of you
personally know people who lost their retirement because they were "laid off" just
months before they became vested? (I do.) How many of you know people who are
hard working but can't afford health care? (I do.) How many of you know
children who don't have a winter coat or enough to eat? (I do.) This is a
wealthy country (just drive to the suburbs and look at those houses!)
I heard on the news that meals-on-wheels delivered 14,000 meals in Saint
Paul on Thanksgiving Day. Does that mean they deliver that many meals every
day? The report was one of those wonderful holiday spirit of giving stories,
but what does it tell us of if we dig deeper?
I've heard philanthropy is down. I've heard this generation more than any
other is concerned only about "What's in it for me?" and is unwilling to
invest in the future. All those people earning all that money from taxpayer
subsidized college degrees now unwilling to provide the same opportunities for the
next generation.
It does seem to me that we're at a critical juncture in history. Do we have
the foresight to see how what's playing out at the micro (local) level
reflects what's happening at the macro (global) level? Do we have the political
will to restrain capitalism on a global scale?
I don't have any answers. Only questions.
--Jennifer Armstrong Payne/Phalen _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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