Socialism is not necessarily government control of the economy. But even then, there's no real basis to assert that private institutions are more ethical or well-run than public ones. I'm sure you can think of private companies that behave unethically or just offer really shitty service for example, yet maintain a monopoly on their services (Facebook, Amazon, Comcast, Sprint so on) Socialism is when working people have control of capital. That can come through democratically-controlled govt institutions, but also, simply, through a union.
private companies are subject to competition mostly and those which are sclerotic get shunted aside. 20 years from now, the FAANG stock will be a shadow of what they are today. Forget about Comcast and sprint, they’ve already been commoditized.
The idea that competition leads to ethical firms or better service is a fallacy. Firms can compete by offering fewer or cheaper services and they absolutely do that. Public oversight (which govt entities are subject to) is a more effective way to ensure institutions are held accountable for achieving their institutional objectives. In Germany, they have some forms of oversight or private entities as well. Second, I mentioned firms that specifically do not face meaningful competition in the market, which is more and more the norm than the exception in the United States. As a result, Americans pay more to receive poorer service in healthcare, mobile phone and internet service (for example) because private companies hold monopolies in each of these industries.
Let’s set aside healthcare. who has a monopoly on internet and mobile telephony? google pulled out of the business because it’s a commodity.
As FIFA president, would you make an exception for the U.S. team and have two anthems: "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing"? Of course only for the U.S. binary noun bi·na·ry | \ ˈbī-nə-rē , -ˌner-ē, -ˌne-rē \ plural binaries Definition of binary (Entry 1 of 2) 1: something made of two things or parts 3: a division into two groups or classes that are considered diametrically opposite binary adjective Definition of binary (Entry 2 of 2) 1: compounded or consisting of or marked by two things or parts 2b: involving a choice or condition of two alternatives (such as on-off or yes-no) Maybe you were trying to use alternative. If you were trying to use the analogy of a dimmer maybe you were looking for the word spectrum. Look I'm trying to find common ground. If we can agree on anything it should be that your use of binary was wrong in that context.
This argument's been made before: So at the time, the Southern states argued that their history and economy was totally linked to the institution of slavery (which was true, nontheless)....
Good lord, not even remotely close to being the same argument. It's not like the dude was advocating for slavery to be reinstated.
I want to be clear I'm not accusing the poster of that. I'm just pointing out that when the tide of abolitionism basically became too large to resist or ignore, the South argued for secession along many of the same grounds, using appeals to religion and history.
You are right, he is perfectly happy with the current system as long as certain people stay in their place
Air Force and Army veteran here too. I'd say I'm surprised, but I'm not. It's amazing how insignificant differences become when everyone is rowing in the same boat. It's no coincidence that sociologists hold the military up as the model of good race relations in America and blacks occupy more management positions in the military than in any other sector of American society. I'm starting to wonder if a hypothetical war against China broke out, whether even that would unite Americans, or if parts of the country would have the 'enemy of my enemy is my friend' mentality.
I was a transportation officer in the reserves (88A). Did that for about 8 years and recently transferred into the IRR. Never got deployed so I don't fall into the vet category unfortunately.
I jokingly tell people I volunteered once in my life, and that was at MEPS. The rest of my career was in the direction I was told to go in. Nonetheless, I appreciate your commitment to the country!
I was a Cryptologic Linguist in the Air Force for 4 years. Studied Korean at the Presidio of Monterey which was the best time I've had in the military. Then they sent me to the NSA. I finished my degree, signed up for Army OCS, and worked as a CBRN Officer for 5 years. Deployed to OIF 08-09. Saw an article that the Army is offering bonuses for some MOSs. $40K for cryptologic linguists now. If I could I'd do that again in a heartbeat.
You’re a freaking dork! haha... you know I’m saying that with all the love in the world. While you were doing all this cool, intelligence and nbc stuff... I was like, just tell me where to point the machine gun. At my core, I’m just a Neanderthal, so the infantry was perfect for me, although my body is paying for it now. Honestly, my daughter is 16, and she’s considering the military too. I’ve pushed her to go AF officer. She’s still undecided on what she wants to do, but she still has time. Last thing on earth I’d tell my little girl to do is be a grunt. Where were you at? I was a few years before that... Iraq 2004-2005 with the 25th ID, C 1/5 INF. We were at Taji for two weeks, then pushed into Fallujah for Phantom Fury (Nov 04). When Mosul fell, they plucked us away from Fallujah and we got sent up there to augment the rest of our brigade in retaking the city. In Fallujah, we primarily set up the cordon around the city during the siege and stayed alongside the river. And in Mosul, we were part of the main effort and controlled the southern battle space of the city, (plus running QRF missions to Palestine district) with my company’s main mission was to control Hammam Al-Alil. Can’t believe it’s been 16 years! ... @John McGuirk yeah, I was at Sand Hill. D 2/58. We were all the way at the end. Never went back to Benning so I’m limited to what’s what down there.
Yeah I was there for OCS and then went back for Pre-Ranger training. I liked the area. To be honest, I almost felt like a civilian so my experiences were way different than yours. OIF 08-09 was like a peacekeeping mission at that point. We have previous units like yours to thank for that. We were in the Triangle of Death south of Baghdad in a small FOB and then moved up to Camp Striker for the other half of the deployment. I spent most of the time meeting with Sheiks and Iraqi Army officers and tracking SoI payments. So I had a lot of Iraqi tea when we were invited for lunches. Luckily no one ever poisoned it! To bring it back to soccer, it's amazing how much the sport can break down barriers and connect people. I actually pitched the idea of soldiers from our unit having a game against Iraqi Army soldiers of the unit we were embedded with. Pride for Iraqis was high at the time because Iraq had won the 2007 Asian Cup for the first time and the people I met were surprised I knew about that. While I was there, the Gulf Cup was played but Iraq didn't do well in that tournament. Anyway, whenever I visited IA Headquarters they always had soccer on and it would always be on Ligue 1. For some reason that was their favorite league. I still don't understand the connection between Iraq and French soccer.
Hi folks. I'm going to close this thread at least temporarily while I take a look at the complaints that have been raised here.