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Politics : Electoral College 2000 - Ahead of the Curve -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: chomolungma who wrote (6270)	12/14/2000 4:26:11 PM
From: Raymond Duray	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 6710

I love seeing unsustainable moves because I can exploit them and make a profit. You may think that is part of the problem, but I think it is the solution. A solution to what precisely? While I can fully appreciate that you enjoy the opportunity to make an income, I am hoping that you can tell me how such behavior benefits society as a whole. I doubt you can make that case very effectively, but I'm willing to hear you out. To put this in perspective, I spent most of my career in the building industry. At the end of my day, I had an income and my client had a useful structure. Who exactly benefits from your activities, beside yourself? -Ray

To: chomolungma who wrote (6270)	12/14/2000 4:39:05 PM
From: The Philosopher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6710

I believe in letting markets do their job, which is to set prices and allocate resources, but there are times when Governments are justified in getting involved. Not by circumventing market forces but by "putting oil to calm the waters." I think it's something different than that. I think the role of government is to assure fair access to a fair market and to allocate societal costs. Monopolies need to be broken because they distort the working of the capitalist system. Fair and equal environmental regulations are needed so that companies can't destroy common resources (streams, lakes, oceans, air) for their separate economic benefit. These are government interventions that support a fair and free capitalist market system. And, one more thing I support -- a graduated corporate income tax. Why is it fair for people who make more money to pay higher tax rates, but not corporations? Makes no sense to me. If a supermarket had to pay higher incremental rates than the corner grocery, it would level the playing field and enhance fairness. It would encourage small business, which is the heart of capitalism (where most employment and innovation takes place) and discourage the mega-mergers which damage markets by decreasing the number of competitors.