Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ilaine who wrote (204694)	9/29/2006 12:32:11 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

The lesson I derive is that without a strong middle class, a "nation of shopkeepers" and professionals, that desires freedom and human rights, democracy ain't going anywhere good anytime soon. I would concur.. People have to have a stake in preserving their nation's unity. If any particular faction believes they have to fight for total control in order to avoid being economically orphaned, then chaos will rule. The one thing that would hold a nation together is the realization by a middle class over what they stand to lose. It's one of the reasons I've strongly believed that a portion of Iraq's oil revenues must be directly paid out to every Iraqi adult citizen, man and woman. This provides them a stake in the oil production and provides a strong incentive for every Iraqi to protect that investment. The annual amount should not be so much that it creates a welfare state and/or undermines Iraqi productivity, but it has to be enough that they feel political outrage against anyone who directly attacks their pocket books. Hawk