Can We Get it Right?
OUTLINE
[L/G/altru] feigned altruism detail
[L/G/power/size] big gov't detail
[L/G/power/debt] US debt detail
[L/G/authority/unintend] Unintended consequences detail
[L/G/infal] assumes infallibility detail
[L/G/bureau/sneaky] Sneaky taxes detail
[L/G/bureau/overreg] overregulation detail
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[R/E/free/cap] benefits of capital detail
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OUTLINE DETAIL
{L} Left Thinking
{L/FP} Fundamental Philosophy
{L/FP/humnat} Human beings are fundamentally flawed and cannot be counted on to do the right thing consequently they need to be coerced to do what politicians and bureaucrats think is best.
{L/FP/wants} The left-thinking person is unfamiliar with and does not operate on principles but rather has wants. If asked what he values, it is likely that the first two words out of his mouth will be “I want.”
{L/FP/wants/crime} While not everyone with wants is a criminal, probably it is true that every criminal is operating on wants without regard to values. If the only consideration governing ones actions is whether or not he gets what he wants, crime is an option.
{L/FP/care} The expectation that the government should be able to remedy every exigency and extraordinary need.
{L/FP/ends} The end justifies the means. As long as things turn out the way you wanted, it doesn't matter what it took to get there.
{L/FP/coercion} The default approach to problems should be coercion because expecting people to cooperate and do what is right is unrealistic. Government power is a good thing.
[L/G]Government
{L/G/Cent} Decisions should be made from the top. As many decisions as possible should be made by the highest possible authority.
{L/G/Cent/decep} Since it is obvious that it is not in people's best interest to not make their own decisions, they have to be persuaded to accept centralized government. It is OK to withhold information from them and at times it is necessary to out and out lie to them. It is OK to say extraordinary things with no basis in fact if it is effective in accomplishing this end.
{L/G/Cent/dem} If a politician or political party believes that it is working for the people, that makes it democratic.
{L/G/elite} Given that democracy is essentially "mob rule", it is best to have an elite cadre of professional politicians making the decisions based on what they consider is in the interest of the common good. Of course, what benefits the state is considered the common good.
{L/G/spec} Some groups need extra help so should get political favors--especially if they donate to your re-election campaign.
{L/G/indoc} To persuade people, there needs to be a continuous process of education and training.
{L/G/altru} The only reason for centralized government is to use its power to do good. Power doesn't corrupt; power fosters virtue and selflessness.
{L/G/dogma} It is politically correct to repeat accepted phrases and terms without thinking.
{L/G/intol} Assuming that centralized government can only do good and anyone opposed to it is selfish, differing views should not be tolerated.
{L/G/intol/tyrmaj} If you get 51% of the vote and get power, then the other 49% have no right to be heard. This is sometimes referred to as the tyranny of the majority.
{L/G/non-trans} The people don't need to know everything that goes on in government.
{L/G/distance} Where decisions are made centrally, the people are far-removed from the decision-making process.
{L/G/privacy} To maximize the power of the central government, privacy of individuals must be sacrificed.
{L/G/order} A strong centralized government is oppressive but usually effective at creating and keeping order.
{L/G/order/abuse} The horrific abuses of power seen in the 20th
century are only possible with powerful, centralized government. The variety of ism or title the despot gives himself is not the cause of the abuse.
{L/G/power} The power of a centralized government steadily grows. Accepting that government is a good thing, big is better.
{L/G/power/size} As the centralized government takes on more responsibilities, it naturally requires more offices, manpower, and regulations.
{L/G/power/debt} The continous increase in size of the government leads to large debt. But we are told Don't worry about the debt.
{L/G/authority} Authoritarian mandates are more efficient and effective.
{L/G/authority/unintend} Authoritarian decision-making and micromanagement from the top results in unintended consequences.
{L/G/authority/state} The state is more important than individuals. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one.
{L/G/infal} The belief that decisions are best made from the top implies an assumption of infallibility.
{L/G/corrupt} A centralized system with low transparency, low accountability, and distance between the payer and the provider leads to corruption.
{L/G/waste} The large size of a centralized government leads to waste. A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you are talking real money.
{L/G/bureau} A large, micromanaging government is necessarily bureaucratic.
{L/G/bureau/complex} A large, bureaucratic government makes for complicated tax laws. This creates problems of compliance and efficiency.
{L/G/bureau/sneaky} Ever desperate for more tax money, creative approaches are taken to sneak in new taxes without having to go through transparent channels.
{L/G/bureau/overreg} The complexity of the large government as well as endless patching to adapt to the unintended consequences results in over-regulation.
{L/G/over} As the size of a centralized government grows, it becomes unwieldy and unable to deliver on all of its promises. Debt grows, currency loses value, and a collapse becomes inevitable.
{L/E} Economics
{L/E/cent} An elite group of decision-makers at the top devise elaborate, detailed plans for what they wish to see happen in the economy.
{L/E/scarce} The idea that there can never be enough for all or enough “to go around” so you have to be sure that some people don't get too much.
{L/E/nogrow} The belief that it is not possible for one person to financially benefit except as resulting in an equal loss to some other person.
{L/E/redis} The romantic notion of playing Robin Hood by forcefully taking from some people to give generously to other people.
{L/E/redis/prop} The government is free to decide which of your earnings or property you may keep and which it may confiscate.
{L/E/robin} We should always raise taxes on the rich because that is where the money is. (Didn't Willie Sutton say something like that?)
{L/E/taxrich} The belief that income disparity can be changed by increasing taxes on the rich.
{L/E/give} The belief that the best way to help poor people is to give them money.
{L/E/capbad} The idea that capitalism is bad and that it would be good to switch to another ism.
{L/E/profbad} The notion that profit is greed and is therefore something bad.
{L/E/$focus} The idea that there is too much focus on money, thinking about money or trying to get rich.
{L/S} Social
{L/S/concern} Concerns about negative effects of industrialization such as global warming.
{L/S/popvote} On the issue of the popular vote versus the electoral college process in presidential elections in the US, favoring the popular vote. (See also {L/G/intol/tyrmaj})
{L/S/majrule} When disagreements occur, the majority should get its way and force the result on those opposing.
{{L/S/sin} The assumed right to dictate morals. If you don't recognize my god, I have the right and obligation to kill you. If I am certain that my idea is righteous, I can condemn you for not agreeing with me.
{R/FP} Fundamental Philosophy
{R/FP/circum} Human nature is not the problem. Yes, people can behave badly but they can also be wonderful, considerate, and warm. The difference is the circumstances. Given a desperate situation, a man will act desperately. Given different circumstances, he will act magnanimously. As it is the circumstances that determine his behavior, we should focus on creating the right circumstances rather than assuming that man is capable only of bad actions.
{R/FP/values} One should have values to achieve virtue and constancy. Selfishness needs to be overruled by the individual's conscience and forward thinking. Young people act without thinking which is why they need to be cared for. Older people should know better.
{R/FP/values/honor} A person with values first thinks of his honor when confronted with a situation that would have him compromise it.
{R/FP/self} Self-reliance means taking responsibility for oneself. It is a measure of adulthood. To be able to have self-respect and be consistent with ones values, it is unimaginable to expect others to provide for you without contributing something equal in exchange.
{R/FP/means} Our choice of actions defines us. Where we end up is less important than the course of actions we chose to get there.
{R/FP/liberty} The freedom of constraint, the ability to be oneself and realize ones potential. The spirit of cooperation and human solutions.
{R/G} Government
{R/G/loc} Localized government means having decisions made as locally as possible. A matter that affects only an individual, should be decided by that individual. A decision that affects only a community, county, or state is best made by that local entity.
{R/G/ideal} To value and respect the individual. To honor his sovereignty of self. This precludes a government treating people as subjects to be lied to.
{R/G/trudem} Governments are defined by who holds the power. In a monarchy, the monarch is in power. In an oligarchy, the oligarchs have the power. Those in power, make the decisions. In a democracy, the demos, or the people make the decisions. The definition of the type of government has nothing at all to do with the intentions of the current rulers. A true democracy is a government in which the people make the decisions.
{R/G/indiv} Real education is a process of teaching people to think for themselves, and to learn how to discover truth on their own rather than being told what to think. Cognizant, self-directed individuals are more likely to realize their potential and contribute more to society.
{R/G/nat} It is commonly held that there exist natural rights that every human being is entitled to. The US constitution references "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" as natural rights.
{R/G/think} To realize ones potential one must learn to think for oneself.
{R/G/toler} Acceptance of differences is integral to democracy. The individual who does something you don't like may have as much right to do that as you have to not like it.
{R/G/toler/promin} While a 51% majority may seem democratic, it has the potential to disenfranchise the other 49%. A minority group could consistently have no voice. The best solution is to have decisions made as locally as possible. A second-best solution is a bicameral approach allowing alternate formulas for representation.
{R/G/trans} Government should generally be transparent. If exceptions are to made, those exceptions should be agreed upon by all in advance.
{R/G/aware} The more aware people are of the agreements they are making and the closer the two parties are, the better. In a large bureaucratic system, a patient might sign a form without reading it or hand over a card for scanning in order to pay but has little if any idea what the charges are for what services, how they will be paid or whether the charges are reasonable. If the patient had to hand the doctor himself cash at the end of the appointment, there wouldn't be unreasonable charges and the doctors wouldn't have to wait a long time to get paid.
{R/G/privacy} Respect of privacy rights, like respect of property rights, is essential to democracy. Spying is not cooperative.
{R/G/disorder} Democracy can be messy and inefficient yet is the most just system devised and the one most likely to foster the development of the full potential of human beings.
{R/G/limgov} Limited government is the best assurance of avoiding the abuses that occur when a government becomes too powerful. This doesn't mean that services aren't provided but that they are handled as locally as possible.
{R/G/vigil} History has shown a marked tendency for governments to grow to be ever more powerful. People have to be alert and constantly reign in government attempts to over-step its bounds.
{R/G/decisions} In a true democracy, every matter is voted on by every citizen. Large societies have to settle for representative government so the representative bodies should conduct business transparently and handle only those matters that cannot be handled locally.
{R/G/indrights} As government grows, it loses sight of the fact that it exists to serve the people and only has the right to exist in as much as the people willingly give it that right. In a democracy, the government is not sovereign.
{R/G/honest} Honesty in government
{R/G/acct} To be effective, any organization must have accountability. The larger the organization, the greater is this problem. Systems can be put in place to address this problem but localization and small size are the best answer.
{R/G/human} A human interface is better than a bureaucratic system that is too large to know the individual. Not only is this more comfortable, it can be more effective as time is saved and the correct solution for the individual is more likely to occur.
{R/G/simpler} A tax system that is simple and fair is better than one that is complicated and uneven.
{R/G/bal} A balanced budget is better than one showing a deficit. If there is debt, a budget which provides for payment against the debt is better than one that does not.
{R/E}
{R/E/free} Economic and political liberty, free markets, and private enterprise produce the most dynamic economies. Countries with large economies are better able to provide the needs of their people. To inhibit commerce is to infringe on the natural rights of people seeking happiness and fulfillment.
{R/E/free/cap} Capital makes economies grow. Capital is essential to business. Individuals need capital and should seek to increase their capitalization.
{R/E/abundant} There is no limit to the potential output of man. What can be imagined can be achieved.
{R/E/recip} In a reciprocal transaction, both parties gain. If an individual willingly and knowingly chooses to make a purchase, it is not a loss for him because it is a gain for the seller. New goods and services are introduced to the economy, technology advances, efficiency gains are made and economies grow. It is utter nonsense to think that one man's gain is another man's loss.
{R/E/all} Redistribution does not create economic growth nor is it equitable or reciprocal. The better aim is to seek to raise the standard of living for all.
{R/E/all/privateprop} Private property rights are integral to democracy.
{R/E/raise} Rather than try to make the rich less rich, it is better to try to make the poor less poor. Job creation, a growing economy, and equitable laws are helpful.
{R/E/educ} Educate the poor. There is a high correlation between education and income. If an unskilled worker is taught a skill, not only does he improve his standard of living but he leaves the unskilled workforce thus benefiting others.
{R/E/jobs} Enabling business to create new and better-paying jobs is a better long-term approach than handouts.
{R/E/madeup} There is no such thing as capitalism. This is a term that was invented in the late 19th century in an effort to rationalize irrational hypotheses by socialists. The marketplace and law of supply and demand are a natural phenomena. They doesn't need an “ism”. People who disparage capitalism have little idea of what they mean by the term. Pretending that the law of supply and demand is a conspiracy is not constructive.
{R/E/profgood} Profit is good. It is the end that is sought to an endeavor. While you might spend energy on a sport for the fun of it, you don't plow a field without the intention of growing something you can sell. If you do a job poorly, your profit should be less. If you don't figure out how to make a profit, your business will fail and no one benefits.
{R/E/think} Thinking ahead and making thoughtful plans is responsible. Once a plan is in place, less thinking is needed and there is less worry. Much good can come from a little financial planning.
{R/S}
{R/S/improve} Tremendous improvements have been made over the last century and where problems still exist or new problems arise we should focus on ways to solve the problems without harming economic growth or individual rights.
{R/S/elec} When the US government was established, a bicameral approach was used for the legislature to address the problem of a few very populous states having too much control because they would dominate a popular vote. This system is reflected in the electoral college system for the election of the US president. Each state is assigned electors in proportion to its population but each state also gets two additional electors just as each state gets two senators. This is not as equitable as the bicameral legislature but it is a help. Populous states still get the overwhelming majority of votes but at least states with small populations get some votes. To abandon the electoral system would increase the disparity between the populous and less populous states.
{R/S/elec} When the US government was established, a bicameral approach was used for the legislature to address the problem of a few very populous states having too much control because they would dominate a popular vote. This system is reflected in the electoral college system for the election of the US president. Each state is assigned electors in proportion to its population but each state also gets two additional electors just as each state gets two senators. This is not as equitable as the bicameral legislature but it is a help. Populous states still get the overwhelming majority of votes but at least states with small populations get some votes. To abandon the electoral system would increase the disparity between the populous and less populous states.
In addition to the problem of inequities between states, there is a problem within states. Most of the states have opted for a winner takes all system where the candidate with the majority of votes in the state gets all of the electoral votes. This clearly thwarts democracy by making the votes of a great many people not count.
{R/S/elec} When the US government was established, a bicameral approach was used for the legislature to address the problem of a few very populous states having too much control because they would dominate a popular vote. This system is reflected in the electoral college system for the election of the US president. Each state is assigned electors in proportion to its population but each state also gets two additional electors just as each state gets two senators. This is not as equitable as the bicameral legislature but it is a help. Populous states still get the overwhelming majority of votes but at least states with small populations get some votes. To abandon the electoral system would increase the disparity between the populous and less populous states.
In addition to the problem of inequities between states, there is a problem within states. Most of the states have opted for a winner takes all system where the candidate with the majority of votes in the state gets all of the electoral votes. This clearly thwarts democracy by making the votes of a great many people not count.
{R/S/welc} Any time there is a close vote, there should be concern and effort should be made to welcome diverging views and to be inclusive.
{R/S/noharm} To put oneself above others is not only undemocratic, it is egotistical and selfish. An intelligent conversation over differences of opinion can be constructive. Name calling and debasing others is not.