[ExI] The ruling class crush/was Re: Private and government R&D

[natasha at natasha.cc]

Does changing the subject line actually change the flavor of this thread?

Is there a solution or resolution in sight?




Quoting Dan <dan_ust at yahoo.com>:

> On Wednesday, July 22, 2009 4:57:19 AM Mirco Romanato painlord2k at libero.it
>>>> >  the wealthy have power over the poor, in the same way
>>>> > that government has power, but without even the pretense of allowing
>>>> > the governed a say in how they are governed.
>>>>
>>>> ### What makes you think so? Do you see rich individuals and powerful
>>>> corporations embedded in morally advanced societies routinely
>>>> squashing anyone that gets in their way?
>>>
>>> I'm just going to sit here for a while and marvel at this question.
>>
>> Well, just don't consider the people and the corporations that do
>> business with the government.
>>
>> They routinely squash anyone that is in their way, using the power
>>  of government. And both use the "common good" justification for
>>  their actions. They very rarely are willing to do so themselves or
>>  do so themselves. Too much risks.
>
> Some people are willing to take the risks. After all, real crimes   
> (i.e., crimes that actually violate someone else's rights as opposed  
>  to crimes created by government decree) are committed by rich   
> individuals and "powerful" coporations. The thing is it's much   
> easier to do this -- less costly, including less risky -- if it's   
> done with the government's blessing or even outsourced to the   
> government. In the latter case, most of the costs are then   
> redistributed from the rich individual or corporation to the tax   
> base. And since in any society rich people and powerful groups tend   
> to have much more influence with government, it should come as no   
> surprise to anyone that rich people and powerful corporations tend   
> to shape public policy toward their ends. This is what being in the   
> ruling class is, after all, all about.
>
> Of course, this is no apodictic argument. That one is rich or has a   
> successful firm doesn't necessitate one crush anyone who gets in   
> one's way. And, naturally, even with government help, crushing   
> others still has risks. (The risk under statism is, of course, that   
> the crushed will organized, get enough power, and return the favor.   
> This would be all well and fine if the victims limited the costs to   
> their oppressors, but, as they're using government too, they   
> redistribute the costs again to other victims -- people who are   
> currently disorganized or have less power.)
>
> Regards,
>
> Dan
>
>
>
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