Hey don't get me wrong, balance is everything. Look at Mexico, Russia, and Cuba...their revolutions were created basically out of having no middle class and having the greedy fat cats at the top.
I'm merely suggesting Capitalsim is an easier fit for human nature than Socialism simply because you're not punished for wanting more or striving to achive a higher goal than what society has set for you.
For every story told that divides us, I believe there are a thousand untold that unite us.
LOL That chart is very effective! I was laughing like hell as I was scrolling down and down and down....
Killersheep we have to send you to Cuba for a week, first off everything in Communism is not public, that could not be further from the truth. In Communism all assets belong to the state, everything is state controlled. Fidel Castro does not need million dollor checks in his name because he is the state, he has total control over all it's currency, assets, investments, military, mass media, etc. He delegates certain control too a small group of each of those sections and that small group runs the country only answering to that dictator. There are plenty of Cuban Americans in the country right now, you can give them your definition of Communism and they would tell you that you counldn't be more wrong, Communism is alot more top heavy than Capatalism, it's not even close. Like I said before it's like that in every government.
I live in a country, and perhaps like many other countries, where the wealth gap between the rich and poor is only getting wider. Within a collectivist society this is generally percieved as being an accepted state. The Haves and the Have nots as it were. I dont like it, but its seen as being the natural order of things here. You have your station.
Korea has become an extremely expensive place to live in in recent years. I would definitely say food costs are significantly more than those in the UK now. The Koreans who make a living by driving buses, working in offices...they must have a hard time making ends meet. The minimum wage here is about 4000 won, which is about 2 pounds an hour! There are so many jobs where the minimum wage is the norm like supermarkets, local stores, general retail, restaurants. I have absolutely no idea how these people can make ends meet at all. That is seriously awful money considering how much things cost here. But there is no sign of revolution, we had huge protests about the import of US beef. No sign of any civil unrest over the costs of living for the working classes. It seems to be a case of "this is our lot...just keep on keeping on".
One of the reasons costs are so high here is because Koreans like to fleece each other badly. There was one report saying how its possible to ship in a brand new hyundai car (can't remember the type) to Korea from the states and pay the shipping and excise duties and it still works out 10,000 dollars cheaper than what a Korean would pay for the car in Korea. Madness. There are very few imports here. Those that are here are seen as luxuries and sold at absurd prices. Korean companies rule the roost and the quality is low and prices too extreme. Korean electronics are sold at far higher prices than the US despite incomes generally being lower here. Koreans dont know any better, its all theyve known. I finally found a place to buy American beef online. They dont sell it in supermarkets because of "consumer sentiment". In other words the middle men make a lot more from limiting the choice and charging top bucks for Korean beef. You will pay 7 dollars for 100 grammes of prime Korean beef in the supermarket. Again the Koreans are quite happy to screw each other badly. Its okay if you are rich, but if you are a normal person, you cant be paying that for beef.
I suppose all that meandering was leading to me saying that unbridled capitalism is not a good thing. What I see here disturbs me somewhat. Yes, Ive paid low taxes and have been able to earn decent money here but Ive done that by teaching and speaking a language they are all eager to learn. Its been easier for me. Ive never really needed to get into the cutthroat battle for survival like so many others do. Korea has the highest suicide rate in the OECD and im pretty sure money issues are a key factor in that. Capitalism is what we have, unchecked capitalism is something that should be controlled. There is no reason why fruit should be a luxury item and too expensive for kids to eat. Its wrong.
Ikariam
I think the correct term is oligarchy...like anARCHY and monARCHY.
well either of those is bad
For every story told that divides us, I believe there are a thousand untold that unite us.
I stand corrected. Sorry.
"If there's a better chin in the world than Pryor's, it has to be on Mount Rushmore." -Pat Putnam.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2JPbQOHEkY
Here's John McCain's original view on this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh9_QvJicy4
oops
For every story told that divides us, I believe there are a thousand untold that unite us.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Bookmarks