Is Deliberately Starving Millions of the Populace to death A Good Thing

Olipro

There are many economic models which each have their own merits and pitfalls.

just as far right and far left politics are generally considered bad, the same applies to totalitarian implementations of the many ideologies and the ideal situation often sits in the middle.

a totally capitalist society would not be ideal, neither would a totally socialist/communist one.

Evidently the answer is that some things should be for the common good, such as police, healthcare, education etc, which in the UK are currently socialised anyway.

My basic tenet tends to come down to the test of "is it likely to be ransomed?" - in the case of medical care the answer is a fat Yes, the USA proved this fairly well and hence socialisation of medical care is better than the alternative, of course many anarcho-capitalists can argue this wouldn't be true, however I think the fatal flaw in all models that veer to the far left or right is that they simply fail to reconcile economic activity with human survival and psychology.

Generali

ninky wrote: »

can you really taste the difference though?

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/bargains-and-rip-offs/article.html?in_article_id=500980&in_page_id=5

Mrs Generali and I used to do 'blind tastings' of some things to see what was good and bad.

Sainsbury's basics brie was very good (although not as good as proper Brie de Meaux) as was Duchy Original full fat milk IIRC. Label Anglais chickens were the best I managed to find in the UK.

Pretty much all organic fruit 'n' veg was a waste of money on that basis. Freshness and ripeness was all - seasonal stuff from a market stall was best by-and-large.

I am yet to find the best beef and lamb but I am having a lot of fun trying. The best prime beef I've found anywhere in the world so far was from a butcher on Exmoor. The best stewing beef was from a now closed butcher in Otford, Kent. I've never been to Argentina however.

StevieJ

Generali wrote: »

I am yet to find the best beef and lamb but I am having a lot of fun trying. The best prime beef I've found anywhere in the world so far was from a butcher on Exmoor. The best stewing beef was from a now closed butcher in Otford, Kent. I've never been to Argentina however.

I remember when this Yank brought some Texas beef over with him to eat in the restaurant at work, it tasted very different and delightful, thinking on I am not sure how he got it over here

StevieJ

Olipro wrote: »

My basic tenet tends to come down to the test of "is it likely to be ransomed?" - in the case of medical care the answer is a fat Yes, the USA proved this fairly well and hence socialisation of medical care is better than the alternative, of course many anarcho-capitalists can argue this wouldn't be true, however I think the fatal flaw in all models that veer to the far left or right is that they simply fail to reconcile economic activity with human survival and psychology.

I think dentists are quite a good test, the NHS ones don't want to do any complex treatment because they don't gain much whereas the private ones probably want to do to much. I think, on balance private for me but I suppose a fusion of the two would be ideal

lostinrates

StevieJ wrote: »

I think dentists are quite a good test, the NHS ones don't want to do any complex treatment because they don't gain much whereas the private ones probably want to do to much. I think, on balance private for me but I suppose a fusion of the two would be ideal

My private dentisit is very conservative. a previous one had suggested veneers to replace an acid line, and I went to this new one when the acid line had crumbled as my own dentist had no space. This dentist said he'd be extremely unwilling to veneer otherwise adaquate normal teeth ...by no means perfect but ok, and re did acid line, saying to stick with it unless it becomes a regular occurrence. I think his basic appointments are more expensive than the other dentists though.

ruggedtoast

Generali old chap, you seemed to be getting a bit obsessed by the looming presence of the Red Menace?

From what I've heard about Aus, Australians will adopt Communism on the same day they stop wearing pyjamas and dressing gowns to go to the supermarket.

If you carry on like this you wont even be able to go into a branch of Marks and Spencer if you do come home.

Chillax bro, and have another kangaburger.

Generali

ruggedtoast wrote: »

Generali old chap, you seemed to be getting a bit obsessed by the looming presence of the Red Menace?

From what I've heard about Aus, Australians will adopt Communism on the same day they stop wearing pyjamas and dressing gowns to go to the supermarket.

If you carry on like this you wont even be able to go into a branch of Marks and Spencer if you do come home.

Chillax bro, and have another kangaburger.

Thank you for you insightful and thoughtful input, ruggedtoast.

I'm not sure what M&S has to do with anything but thanks anyway.

Kangaroo meat is very tasty IMO, rather like venison although I suspect it butchers very differently. I'm really not an expert however.

ruggedtoast

Marx and Spencer.

Anyone?

I'll get me coat.

Kohoutek

Linton wrote: »

And people who dont have an economic justification could starve in the streets - solve lots of problems.

I would suggest the main reason we need large government is that the market is not capable on its own of providing a sufficiently good life for sufficient people to prevent the breakdown of civil order. Plus of course we are all allowed one vote, when in the true capitalist paradise your voting power should depend on your wealth.

But when was the last time the poor starved to death in the UK? We've had a form of state directed welfare since the 1600s - when Elizabeth I introduced a system for rich residents in parishes to pay for food and clothes for the poor. For most the history of welfare in this country, welfare was to provide people with everyday essentials and a place to work.

It's only quite recently that we've expanded welfare so it's possible to receive more in benefits than you would on the minimum wage. It's a shame if that's the only way of preserving the breakdown of civil order - I think having jobs would be just as effective with people with the right motivation.

ninky_2

Kohoutek wrote: »

It's only quite recently that we've expanded welfare so it's possible to receive more in benefits than you would on the minimum wage. It's a shame if that's the only way of preserving the breakdown of civil order - I think having jobs would be just as effective with people with the right motivation.

i don't think supporting unemployment benefit above the minimum wage is what is being argued. there are plenty of other aspects to a healthy welfare state such as free healthcare and education.