Gradient
11-03-2007, 04:39 AM
I cant find my old thread but I neeed your help to respond to this post. I'll quote the last two points, and from context you'll figure it out.
Darkwing Duck 1:
I think the product of the free market is also a product of the times. Not to drag too distant history into this discussion, but serfdom existed in Europe when labor was undervalued. After the plague, labor was harder to get and thus more valueable, and helped to bring about a revolution in business.
Much could be said to be similar between late 19th century America and today. Unemployment is around 4.5%, and people are flooding over the border for jobs in this country. With the recognition that labor unions are valid (if not always the most honorable organizations) and legal, the general recognition of the public of human and civil rights, and general opinions on pollution and other side effects, today's workplace is a far cry from that of the 1800s. Maybe now is the time to try some more free market and see how the economy, corporations, and people react.
The only reason those institutions became "accepted" by industry was because they were FORCED to accept them by gov't regulations such as the National Labor Relations Act. Prior to that, workers who aggitated for change were routinely fired en masse, subjected to physical threat up to and including actual acts of violence against strikers. The struggle to unionize the coal industry is an instructive example. Several times, the gov't actually sent in troops to HELP mine owners put down union activity.
History just doesn't support your thesis, I'm afraid...left to it's own devices, business ALWAYS acts to exploit workers to the maximum extent possible.
The workplace aside, consider all the OTHER consequences of implimenting Paul's "original structure and intent" philosophy. 13 southern states would be due an immediate release from and reparations from the rest of the country. Civil rights? Up to the states...if they want to be bigots its THEIR right...move to another state if you don't like it. Oh, and toss out universal sufferage while you're at it. This would be just the beginning...
You REALLY want to go there?
... so thats the argunment aagainst what paul is doing. please help ive been awake too long
Darkwing Duck 1:
I think the product of the free market is also a product of the times. Not to drag too distant history into this discussion, but serfdom existed in Europe when labor was undervalued. After the plague, labor was harder to get and thus more valueable, and helped to bring about a revolution in business.
Much could be said to be similar between late 19th century America and today. Unemployment is around 4.5%, and people are flooding over the border for jobs in this country. With the recognition that labor unions are valid (if not always the most honorable organizations) and legal, the general recognition of the public of human and civil rights, and general opinions on pollution and other side effects, today's workplace is a far cry from that of the 1800s. Maybe now is the time to try some more free market and see how the economy, corporations, and people react.
The only reason those institutions became "accepted" by industry was because they were FORCED to accept them by gov't regulations such as the National Labor Relations Act. Prior to that, workers who aggitated for change were routinely fired en masse, subjected to physical threat up to and including actual acts of violence against strikers. The struggle to unionize the coal industry is an instructive example. Several times, the gov't actually sent in troops to HELP mine owners put down union activity.
History just doesn't support your thesis, I'm afraid...left to it's own devices, business ALWAYS acts to exploit workers to the maximum extent possible.
The workplace aside, consider all the OTHER consequences of implimenting Paul's "original structure and intent" philosophy. 13 southern states would be due an immediate release from and reparations from the rest of the country. Civil rights? Up to the states...if they want to be bigots its THEIR right...move to another state if you don't like it. Oh, and toss out universal sufferage while you're at it. This would be just the beginning...
You REALLY want to go there?
... so thats the argunment aagainst what paul is doing. please help ive been awake too long