The Virtue of Selfishness vs. The Morality of Altruism

[Gipper]

Yes, and people have taken that to an absurd end, an end in which 90% of the wealth is in the hands of 10% of the people, and that 10% have rigged the laws so that even more money is channeled up to them. If you read the post I made with the concentration of wealth information then you would know that not only is there a greater concentration of wealth in a few hands than ever before, but that the rate of of increase is also increasing.

Why are you so smug about protecting the possessions of people when the founders of this country slaughtered the indigenous owners of the country and STOLE everything from them? Our country was founded on theft, our ecomony was fueled by cheap and plentiful resources, and now we are facing the results of our own actions. Our greed-based culture values money and the right to accumulate it over life itself. And you appear to agree with that standard while I do not.

Wow Mare that is quite an indictment of our nation. How does someone become so jaded?

I am certain many on the far left believe this. What I don't get is why they are still here. If our nation is so evil, you have the right to leave.

Lets see. Where in the world can we export Mare?
- How about Russia? They have a long just past.
- Or, how about France? They have always done the right thing and Paris in spring time is wonderful.
- Or, how about Brazil or Argentina? Those two nations have a wonderful history of treating their natives.
- Or would Venezuela be more to your liking?
- How about Germany, Italy, Japan, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia??? Those great countries have always treated their people well.

If you chose a Muslim country, just let me know and I will gladly pay for a nice black burka. Just be aware, they don't treat females well there and you will be required to convert to Islam. But all in all, they are so much better than the awful USA.


Mare in black...I'm just not sure which one she is...

 

[samsara15]

Mare's fair and balanced assessment left out the loyalists, who were driven out of the country following the revolutionary war. Apparently, modern conservatives would do the same thing to those who do not buy 100% into their philosophy of unlimited selfishness.

 

[Gipper]

Mare's fair and balanced assessment left out the loyalists, who were driven out of the country following the revolutionary war. Apparently, modern conservatives would do the same thing to those who do not buy 100% into their philosophy of unlimited selfishness.

No. Never said I would drive out radical leftists. But, I bet radical leftists would love to send us conservatives to the gulag since they all about limiting freedom and silencing dissent...

Most to the world's people yearn to come to America and yet radical American leftists condemn America, but refuse to leave. Why???

Please just export yourselves. Certainly there are much better countries to live in. And, if you go to a socialist nation you will get FREE health care. How cool is that?

 

[OldTrapper]

At what point does being selfish turn into just plain greed? Is there any point for those of you who call yourselves "conservatives"? And, does not greed limit the ability of others to attain their desires? I'm reminded of the principle in "It's A Wonderful Life".

Then too, I hear a lot about the "theft" by government. What of the "theft" by corporations, unions, banks, etc.? While it is legal for a bank to charge as much interest as it can, is it not a form of theft when that bank charges over 8% interest on monies it pays no interest on to get? Is it not a form of theft when a corporation imports cheap labor to replace American workers with simply because it is legal, or even the use of illegal "immigrants"? Is it not a form of theft for unions to use members dues for political purposes without their permission?

There are many forms of force at work here too. If the worker who is about to be replaced by the importation of cheap labor objects, in most cases what is his recourse? Of course, if one were to turn to unionization the "right" would condemn that. Yet it may be that is the only recourse for the displaced worker. Of course, the "right" would say he could get another job. Guess that is why so many IT's are looking for other work, and not finding it.

If you go to a bank to get a loan what is your recourse if the interest rate is extreme, and all of the banks charge essentially the same rate?

The same applies to "big oil". While the corporations are profitting by billions the people are being forced to pay the exaggerated rate simply because they have no recourse, and there is no competition.

Selfishness is necessary for survival. That is what gives man the desire to survive. However, when that turns into greed then it is a destructive force.

 

[rationalist]

Actually to be fair to Gipper he is an altruist.

He gives his tax dollars to be spent on weapons and his loyalty to a bunch of people who couldn't give a fig about him but who want him and his ilk to be prepared to die for them and advocate the system that keeps him poor and his manipulators rich.

Another word for this kind of altruism of course is stupidty.

 

[dogtowner]

Mare's fair and balanced assessment left out the loyalists, who were driven out of the country following the revolutionary war. Apparently, modern conservatives would do the same thing to those who do not buy 100% into their philosophy of unlimited selfishness.

dont be silly, we need someone to make the fries.

 

[GenSeneca]

Mare's fair and balanced assessment left out the loyalists, who were driven out of the country following the revolutionary war. Apparently, modern conservatives would do the same thing to those who do not buy 100% into their philosophy of unlimited selfishness.

You support the use of force to violate the individual rights of anyone who disagrees with your philosophy. I don't want people like you run out of the country, I only want laws that bar government from violating individual rights.

 

[citizenzen]

Sorry I came into this one so late...

I have no problem with slipping him that fish if you also provide him the means to provide for himself.

So now it's just not enough to give somebody something when they are in need? We also have to "provide him the means to provide for himself"? DT, sometimes a gift, is just a gift. I thought conservatives were against the government providing the means... but I learn something new everyday.

 

[dogtowner]

Sorry I came into this one so late...



So now it's just not enough to give somebody something when they are in need? We also have to "provide him the means to provide for himself"? DT, sometimes a gift, is just a gift. I thought conservatives were against the government providing the means... but I learn something new everyday.

The Constitution and I agree that the government has no place in this. Its a charitable matter. As usual, you learn nothing.

 

[citizenzen]

The Constitution and I agree that the government has no place in this. Its a charitable matter.

It was charity when I gave him a fish. When you required that I then provide him the means of procuring his future fish then I think you ventured into communism... or totalitarianism. Either way, I think it will involve a new bureaucracy, and the deficit is bad enough as it is.

 

[rationalist]

Yes, capitalism is the true way.

Just look at where it has got the US.

China's b.i.t.c.h

 

[GenSeneca]

Yes, capitalism is the true way.

Just look at where it has got the US.

China's b.i.t.c.h

Capitalism requires Free Markets and the protection of individual rights. Since neither of those have existed for more than 100 years, blaming Capitalism for our problems is nonsensical.

 

[rationalist]

Of course, it was those Marxist bankers

Silly me

 

[dogtowner]

Of course, it was those Marxist bankers

Silly me

and who regulates the financial markets ?

 

[GenSeneca]

Of course, it was those Marxist bankers

Silly me

Why would you think it was Marxist bankers? That is quite silly.