"Freedom" thread or something

JJLehto wrote: Equality 7-2521 wrote: manofmystery wrote: I tend to see Ayn Rand much in the way Murray Rothbard did. You used to be an avid supporter and cult member until she insulted your wife? Quite right.   He also thought Atlas Shrugged was one of the greatest books ever. The Rand/Libertarian squabble is silly anyway.   I agree it may just be general lack of confidence, and is the only way to improvement simply the "wait it out" thought? It may have to be, after bailouts, tons of $$ injected, trying to keep asset/housing prices up if there's still no confidence I dont see what governent could do even if they wanted.   As Rogerthat said, Japan will be a nice experiment. I had to look it up...over 1 trillion yen injection in 2 years? If this ends up doing nothing I wonder if Keynesians will still say "it wasnt enough". Guess we need WWIII....good thing Korea is acting up

We could legalize a bunch of illicit things and watch entrepreneurs foam at the mouth as they jump into the business.

Equality 7-2521 wrote: We could legalize a bunch of illicit things and watch entrepreneurs foam at the mouth as they jump into the business.

Edited by JJLehto - April 19 2013 at 10:13

I think they did a pretty good job of catching him alive, knowing they had just executed that MIT cop....meaning they just wanted to kill for pleasure pretty much.  It looked on film as if they were asking people for permission to look on their property....as a homeowner I would be OK with assisting them under such circumstances.....I mean, look at the national pressure they had to apprehend these two before they hurt more people....I can't imagine dealing with that. 

Now if they start sweeping through neighborhoods for no reason people would not tolerate that...but I think given these specific circumstances the public really wanted to help them, and that meant some inconvenience. 

Brian, one thing I"m not clear on....was the lockdown a "mandatory order" or was it a "request?"   Obviously with tens of thousand of people, some people must have ignored it and went outside anyway.  Were they arresting people who went outside? 

I'm fine with them "requesting" people voluntarily stay inside for their safety, and I don't consider that martial law given the short window of time. 

I can understand the concern, definitely, any time you have military coming down the street it's pretty wild.....just so thankful no one else got hurt...aside from those two coppers 

JJLehto wrote: We need a weed stimulus. The feds make it mandatory for one year. Think about the tax revenue, not to mention soda and junk food sales would soar! And no one would moan about big government since they'd all be baked. Win f**kin win!

I'm in. 

^ Crazy.
Reminds me of a recent article I read about a similar situation here in the US, that for some it has become better financially to stay on welfare than look for a job.

Denmark is not alone. The "nordic model" (which I used to passionately support) overall is facing the same issues.
Was reading that in Finland more and more youth are living off welfare and working less (if at all) staying in school  longer, retiring quite early all those things.
And while people happily accept the situation, it is unsustainable as is...so reforms need to happen or taxes raised. And in Sweden taking the VAT into consideration the average worker pays 70% in taxes already!

That was the case for me.
I told few people but I was in love with Obama because I thought for sure he'd be the start of our process to Social Democracy. With how unpopular Republicans were and the economy in the tank I had slight hope that it'd even be a speedy process and that the ideas of limited government would be dead for good.
Boy was I wrong! And ironically now, just 5 years later how much of a 180 I pulled!


Ah I have thought long about this.
I really think the Nordic Model (which to be fair was VERY successful) is an exception to the rule. They made it work but they were in a unique situation after WWII, have smaller populations and a different mindset. They accept these 60+% tax rates (at the middle class level) and have efficient, corrupt free governments, and a belief in government itself. So it's just not realistic for here.

Sustainable? In the looong run, I say no.
It's reaching that point. It held up well but finally people (being the rational beings we are) seem to be slowly losing incentive, thus causing a self sustaining growth in welfare reliance (and cost)
I've also heard that more companies have been outsourcing and wealthier people have started hiding money...

But gotta say, while we think about the leftist/socialistic elements the Nordic countries are also very free market. This is part of their great success. You said it man, it is the progressive dream. The success of a free market economy but with heavy redistribution to "even out" the "harshness" of the markets. I was a full out socialist actually until I learned of the model + econ classes which made me accept that some level of free market capitalist system was needed.


Edited by JJLehto - April 21 2013 at 22:39

Hmmmm I know Norway is still heavily reliant on fish and timber but I'm not sure about the others. If so, that's great for them but back to sustainability...eventually resources will run out!

We have resources here I've seen ideas of using them to boost our economy, a "new new deal" but not public works like last time. Building infrastructure (our old ass one is in shambles) technology, energy, communication.
Put out the FIRE economy, finance, insurance real estate and make the TECI one....but its kind of a pipe dream I think.

I really don't disagree. Well in general.

Edited by JJLehto - April 22 2013 at 14:57