Thread: How bad could the U.S. economy get?

Originally Posted by jockeys

you say "altruism" but I head "coddling"

I would like to recommend that you read "The Culture of Contentment" by John Kenneth Galbraith. He talks about why social security was passed in the 1930s and how social stability is affected by widespread unemployment.

Galbraith makes the argument, which convinced me, that without social security there would have been a Communist revolution in the United States. However, it's been at least 20 years since I read it, so I may not remember it exactly.

Originally Posted by Chimensch

I would like to recommend that you read "The Culture of Contentment" by John Kenneth Galbraith. He talks about why social security was passed in the 1930s and how social stability is affected by widespread unemployment.

Galbraith makes the argument, which convinced me, that without social security there would have been a Communist revolution in the United States. However, it's been at least 20 years since I read it, so I may not remember it exactly.

I'll see if I can find a copy at the library. in the meantime, I suggest you read "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand for a terrifying and compelling look at why socialIST security and similar schemes are NEVER ok, and end badly. if people don't have the freedom to stand on their own merits or fail valiantly, then all hope is lost.

I would like to add that I view economic competition as the most relevant form of natural selection extant in the modern world.

Originally Posted by jockeys

in the meantime, I suggest you read "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand for a terrifying and compelling look at why socialIST security and similar schemes are NEVER ok, and end badly.

Are you trying to decrease our numbers by one by boring one of us to death??

That book is pretty tedious unless you are really into learning her philosophy. That being said, it is worth a read if you are predisposed to the kind of thinking promoted in The Conversation. The Fountainhead is similar in its scope of exploration and might be a little easier on the first time Ayn Rand reader.

Off off topic:
I am currently reading Blue Jacket by Allen Eckert. Like his book Tecumseh, it seems to be more foot and endnotes than regular text! I am sleeping like a baby these days. lol

Originally Posted by ScottS

Are you trying to decrease our numbers by one by boring one of us to death??

I would surely suggest the fountainhead as a first Ayn Rand read. By the way I would suggest everyone of us read Animal Farm and you will find out that there is no difference between capitalism and socialism.

Originally Posted by ScottS

Are you trying to decrease our numbers by one by boring one of us to death??

I dunno, I found it to be a very interesting book, I couldn't put it down. I read the whole thing in a week, I enjoyed it so much. It has a very intricate plot.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I would surely suggest the fountainhead as a first Ayn Rand read. By the way I would suggest everyone of us read Animal Farm and you will find out that there is no difference between capitalism and socialism.

Originally Posted by jockeys

I would like to add that I view economic competition as the most relevant form of natural selection extant in the modern world.

I fear that if the majority of corporate America has attitudes like yours,economic competition won't be the most relevant form of natural selection for long.

Originally Posted by Churchill

I fear that if the majority of corporate America has attitudes like yours,economic competition won't be the most relevant form of natural selection for long.

haha, well, so far most of it DOES, if the sampling I've seen is at all representational. anyhow, can you clarify your comments, I'm afraid I'm not entirely sure what you're getting at.

Originally Posted by Churchill

I fear that if the majority of corporate America has attitudes like yours,economic competition won't be the most relevant form of natural selection for long.

Dude, you SOOOO lost me on that one.