I'll admit - I laughed out loud!
Sorry for the delay. Been working hard.
Anyway, there is a Libertarian Party of Canada that exists. Although, you probably wouldn't consider that a "real" option given the fact that four or five parties dominate the federal sphere - and that's a fair point. But keep in mind, those of us on the left who would rather vote for the Marxist-Leninist Party or Communist Party of Canada also are left without those "real" options. As of now, it's a problem with the multi-party system - but it seems to be getting better based upon the emergence of parties like the NDP and Green Party.
Wow. Cool.
You are a real Marxist? As in, for real, "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" Marxist? Sorry if this sounds sensational, but I have only run into ONE other person who admitted as much in my life.
It is REALLY refreshing, if you are, to chat with some one who will be honest about it, rather than try to bury such a belief.
My problem with libertarian politics is that it places far too much emphasis on the individual, almost negating the fact that we live in a society that has been structured unequally. Therefore, I just can't fall in line with the belief that individuals are free to experience the same opportunities in life if left to their own guard, because we just don't live in that kind of world.
Read less Marx and more Adam Smith.
How is it "fair" for the government to steal money I earn and give it to those who did not?
We DO live in that kind of world. I am, personally, an example of it. I grew up "poor", living on a farm and milking cows. My dad was a career soldier, who I did not see much until he retired when I was 10. Yet here I am... A partner in a VERY successful IT company... On the cusp of making MILLIONS. Should I be obligated to give most of what I have nearly killed myself for to my jackass neighbors who think I OWE it to them?
We DO live in that kind of world. All you have to do is extend your middle finger to those who say you can't do it, because of X,Y or Z and DO IT ANYWAY.
And you know what? MY success is going to help many other people. And NOT because I get to pay more taxes now.
I suppose we both want the maximum liberty for the individual. However, I do recognize that certain individuals have already been afforded with more liberty than others based solely upon histories that continue to privilege certain bodies over others. I don't see that as being fair, and in that regard, I see it as our moral obligation and civic responsibility to help those neighbours who are born into a world where they are not given the same opportunities. They are not "failing" - but rather, history has failed them.
You and I certainly sit on opposite ends of the spectrum, my friend!
Fair? LOL
Life is not fair. Get over it. Winners, win. Losers whine about life not being fair. This sounds really harsh, and perhaps it is..... But it is what it is.
"The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal."
Aristotle
(It would not be a "Puck" post without a quote.)
Humans are not equal. We just are not. There are reasons for it. To make people "equal" means someone has to get screwed. People who think that it is the responsibilty of soneone else to make THEIR life better, are wrong, and will always whine about life not being "fair". Rather than, you know, using the God given liberty we enjoy to make their OWN life better.
Another one. This is for those who bitch about life not being "fair".
"Over, Under or Through"
104th United States Cavalry Motto
(This is the unit with who I served during the defining moments of my life.)
Finally... I see the world through a different prism my friend. I WANT to help those who have had less success than I have, but on MY terms. Governemtn is NOT charity. Government is FORCE. I wnat to give a part of my success to those that I want to... NOt to who some politician says I MUST.
There is a REASON why government revenues, history proves as much, INCREASE when tax rates fall.
/ long rant