Hi Paul... Thanks for the invite, and for those links Re: Ecuador's Sucre.
Re: the Tobacco lawsuits.
First a disclaimer. I am not a smoker, and I personally hate the smoke, and worse, the lack of consideration that an individual can have in smoking in front of an non-smoker, as the thing stinks and I don't find it pleasant.
Having said that... I think what is happening in the courts in this reference and other similar instances is deploring at the very least.
Since my entry in this country I have witnessed with frustration how the loss in the value of individual freedom has crept in throughout society. In disbelief, I have seen these absurd lawsuits, awards, (which in spite of Henry's point that they do get reduced on appeal), and notices of "warnings of the obvious" on just about every product we use, I find that common sense is becoming stranger as absurdity seems to slowly take its place. We only have to witness the recent charade in Washington DC.
It is fair to say, that still, life in the USA is as best as it gets.
I travel often to Latin America, where I come from. It is somehow ironic that now I see things from a different perspective from the time when I still live there full time.
Putting things on a scale, in the past, I saw that Life in the USA was an obvious clear choice... hands down, no argument.
Slowly, I have seen my opinion start to reverse, ever so slowly, to the point where such "obvious clarity" is somehow not so clear.
Still, I say life in the USA is as best as it gets. My opinion only, certainly not dogma.
What troubles me is the trend... and the idea that, there is a lack of motivation in saying: "yes it is as good as it gets, but can it get better?"
The thoughts such as:
"I am complacent and I will seek the way in which government or society should take care of all my needs...."
"I do not need to be responsible, I can not make decisions on my own"
"I will surrender my ability to execute a decision on my own, even whether I live or die" (particularly this one).
....does concern me.
What happened to the spirit of individual freedom, under which, this country was originally founded?
Don't worry I am not seeking answers.... I can do that on my own, I am just venting brain farts... excuse my Latin. It's good to do that from time to time, you know, the mental health rubbish... "Put it out of your system" they say...
It is an odd concept to think that in the US we have the latest technology in just about every thing, and that this economy, a great example of industrial might and imaginative progress.... we have to label wine/beer/liquor bottles with a "warning" that it may affect your ability to drive machinery, or that it could affect pregnant women... etc.
Someone must think that the level of education of the great masses must be so low... that the responsibility of knowing the obvious rests in the manufacturer... not the consumer of the product.
Is it possible that they are correct ?
Is that what it means to have a third world country mentality ?
An educated elite, with great education and skills... (and the income as reward), yet a growing mass of average population, with ever decreasing education, wit & income... (and the stupidity to prove it), that needs such warnings.
What's next... a lawsuit from the over-sensitive ones... "I will sue you because your child called my child fat". They suffer from a disease, they will say, it is called "hyper sensitivity absurditis chronicae". Clinics for treatment will spring everywhere, claiming they can "counsel" these sensitive souls into a life of comfort... the method will be called "How to live your life in complete absurdity and still feel good about yourself".... By Dr. Absurd no doubt, an expert in psychotic health.
Don't blame the attorneys, all they are doing is assuring themselves of a job. Little wonder that the majority of politicians in government are indeed attorneys. A government by the people, of the people and for the people. I don't think so, just replace the word people with attorney, and you have the right answer.
Ayn Rand was right and continues to be right, unless the people of the mind declare themselves "on strike" we will never stop the moochers and the parasites of collectivism from eroding and eating away what it is created by such minds.
Do I sound like a broken record...? probably, But who cares. The facts are there to observe. I do not make the facts and I do not need to change my story, I just need to get myself ready... For the time, when the scale tells me that... the clear and obvious choice is no longer what it used to be.
For example:
At what point, am I better off, paying all the insurance available, or the cost of retainers for an army of attorneys only compared to the cost of maintaining a fleet stationed in the Persian Gulf so my life-style is guaranteed, and I am not taken to the cleaners by some crazy-absurd lawsuit. Not to mention that the mental stress of living under such knife can represent.
Never mind that in order to gain the needed income to be in such a position represents a great effort in studying, working, researching... whatever.
In exchange for easy access to the latest in technology, the latest tickets for the greatest opera, or symphony... or the latest in education... or the latest in medical research, or the greatest highways money can buy, or the peace of mind of living in a safe neighborhood....
Or whatever suits your fancy that makes life more enjoyable, and that allows you to be productive so you can earn enough that can provide you with what you seek and desire...
I guess such decision is an individual one, so the collectivist will not have to be worried about making it... they have long ago lost the desire. In the end, it will be a matter of numbers, so the absurds can rule by majority.
Another great triumph for democracy.... hurrah three times.
Meanwhile....
Make sure your passports are valid and learn to speak another language... just in case. I hope I am wrong. |
