Autocracy: Rules for Survival

[Ragnarök_62]

(05-01-2017, 11:43 PM)pbrower2a Wrote:

(05-01-2017, 10:46 PM)Ragnarök_62 Wrote:

(05-01-2017, 07:23 PM)Eric the Green Wrote: The Awakening against Trump is the only way out for this malaise in Red America that Kunstler describes. He mentioned chain stores, but it was trickle-down Reaganomics (still in office today) that made it impossible to enforce anti-trust laws to break them up. That's interfering in the "free market," said the Republicans. And the people in Red America believed them. So, they are responsible for their own malaise and addictions, because of how they vote.

Libertarians can call breaking up predatory chains and monopolies "use of government force." But when predators roam the land, they hurt the people unless the people stop them. It's just too hard for poor individuals or even boycott movements to oppose these predators. There is no free choice for them in the market. That's why progressives support legislation and government action to stop them. 

The free market bosses do not care if they throw people out of work or destroy communities. They replace jobs with machines or foreigners, and then say the market must be free. But people need support if the jobs disappear. Working hours need to be reduced and wages increased. Unions need to be encouraged instead of discouraged. It's up to the people in Red America to wake up to the truth.

To do that, they need to stop blaming scapegoats. Welfare recipients are not responsible for their lost jobs and communities. Neither are poor immigrants. Neither are atheists, nor Hollywood, nor the press. The bosses are entirely responsible. But Republicans like Trump use xenophobic slogans to deceive the people. They cater to religious prejudice-- including the abortion issue; or fear-- including the gun culture. It's not hard to deceive them, when they live in such deprived conditions and lowered states of consciousness.

1. Planets move faster.  Uh, isn't that what the possessor of a black aura can do. A black aura can trans-mutate energy, right?

(I'll pass on that as it makes no sense to me.

Quote:2. Tinkle down economics:  Ah yes, the economic yellow rain. Eric, Red America voted against globalism which is the equal of Reaganomics. Stop blaming Red America for voting against globalism, OK? Believe me, I'd love nothing more than to see the destruction of globalism. Walmart is globalism writ large. Walmart depends on long supply lines defended by Big Military. How exactly does xenophobia support globalism?  It doesn't.  I rather see it as a wrecking ball in service of localism.  Globalism = free markets run amok. How can any nation enforce laws against multinats when they can just pack up and move.  So, IOW, xenophobia is the ultimate wrecking ball to free markets. Just follow the markets.  Like you said above, the bosses replace domestic workers with foreign ones if they get too uppity.

All in all, people want to feel valuable and worthy.  Maybe the system doesn't really want me to take a job -- any job -- after all, with my clumsiness I am an industrial accident waiting to happen. I could easily cripple or kill someone. Myself? No great tragedy. Some fellow with five children? That would be consummate tragedy.

So when I get my disability payment I can do some volunteer work and a little travel and creative activity, maybe describing my experiences in my travels.  With the technology and widespread talent as there is, many people can do that, and it will be hard for me to differentiate myself.  

I think eventually... We need to move beyond "you must have a job to be worthy."  What you said above is of course true. I also have some weird motor skills impairment. I could be a feature of Bipolar or something else. IOW, you have my understanding and sympathy.

Quote:3. Addiction.  Yeah, it may be ugly, but like I said, addictions  are the ultimate downfall of empires. IOW, that's another wrecking ball for Corporate America.

There are few things with which I agree with Ayn Rand, but addiction is one of the purest expressions of an empty life.

Addition is actually a brain disease. Some folks for whatever reason take some substance and that substance use over time does something to a protein called delta-fos-B. IOW, after some time goes by, addicts can't control the urge to use some substance. It's like sex or hunger. It's a new appetite that gets mixed in with usual "do this" and feel good.

Quote:4. Progressives:  There's progressives and regressive left. Do you support those black bloccers?  I think they need a date with bubba myself. Bernie's a true progressive and is worthy. Those stupid teenage mutant ninja black bloccers are the true fascists.  They seek to squelch free speech, you know.

Violent anarchists are pure trouble-makers. Although I am nearly an anarcho-syndicalist I still believe in law and order and property. Surely you are aware of my conservative argument for homosexual rights.

Yes, and I certainly have no issues wrt homosexual  rights. Black bloccers just are one of those things that invoke the equal and opposite reaction. That's why I say that scene is just a bunch of hormone addled young men. There is no excuse for regressive left free speech suppression. I value free speech and I denounce all causes that compromise it.

Quote:5. Welfare:  Uh a lot of Red America is on welfare. Why would they oppose it?

Including disability. Most people want to work, and they will make up their own work (which can include gardening, which can be a creative activity if done well) if they have a chance. Nut maybe we will have a resuscitation of artisanship so that people can have truly-unique objects that suggest their personalities instead of schlock from a dollar store.  

Quote:6. Gunz.  Why do you keep bringing this up? It's a big fat red herring. It's the economy stupid.

Maybe I was just never introduced to hunting.

Quote:7. Predators:  That's where karma comes in. After a while, the working poor can't even afford Walmart stuff, so they move to the next level.  That's flea markets, second hand stores, and garage sales.  Walmart can't compete against its own shit being sold off. That's when the whole rotten edifice collapses. It's happening now, man. JC Penney's closing here, Sears is a zombie company, Rue 21's also bankrupt. Retail America is on the cusp of it's demise. I'll enjoy it all the way to the bank.  I'll buy put options on US retail and take glee and dance on its grave.

If I had to move from a house too big for me to a senior apartment, then I would be able to furnish it inexpensively with stuff from Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. I am sure that I could find some attractive old china at estate sales. At some point Affluenza becomes too confusing.

Yeah... I have a nice set of lead glass in a curio cabinet. It has unique qualities. It sparkles and has a very nice heavy feel when I dust it. I won't use it to drink out of for obvious reasons.  It's all about aesthetics.  There's nothing like picking up a piece and look at the refractive rainbow of colors. I also sport a mineral collection in some spare bookshelves. I think we're in agreement that  cheap schlock from modern retail is just that, cheap. I gathered my lead crystal from assorted antique stores. I do agree that attractive china is just like lead glass. You can just look at it and know the craftsmanship that went into making the stuff.