Don't get me wrong. I'm not painting all of you with that brush. I'm not saying that all or most or even a significant minority of DC United fans feel that way, but if a DC United fan DID feel that way, that's what I think is the reason.
Actually most conceptions of socialism/communism explicitly argue against the concept of "force" in a political system. In fact, most conceptions of socialism/communism articulate a sort of "post-political" society in which policy and social decisions are collective and consensual. For example, Marx had a concept called "species being" which essentially argued that in the socialist period man would be reconciled with himself and his fellow beings, they would recognize their commonalities and forge a social order that transcends concepts such as power. anyway, back to your regularly scheduled football argument.
I agree 100%. Thanks for the update!! I realize it now-Communism is NOT forced! Just think of the stuff you learn on the DC BigSoccer board. And may I also give a special thanks to BarbDett, who always make me (and everyone else) see the light!! Who'da thunk I was so wrong?? May I apologize to BarbDett, and everyone else who had the misfortune of reading any of my posts!!
MLS's version of parity is Negative because the MLS holds all the players contracts, gives raises to everyone on a Championship team and then tells the club "You're over the cap - You gotta get rid of your good players" - If MLS let individual clubs hold the contracts, and still enforced a salary cap (and gave preferential drafts and foreign player allocations to weaker, losing clubs, etc) then that would be a Positive Policy A Positive Policy would let clubs manage on their own (except for NY which was really stinko for 4-5 years and much as we hate 'em no professional league can survive with stinko teams in NY and LA) and if they can keep salaries down for many of their key players and stay within the cap, then they deserve to keep the players they can within the cap. But a Negative Policy actively forces clubs to dump their best players because SOMEBODY ELSE gave 'em all big raises. Parity is good for MLS - but not the way its been doneMLS's version of parity is Negative because the MLS holds all the players contracts, gives raises to everyone on a Championship team and then tells the club "You're over the cap - You gotta get rid of your good players" - If MLS let individual clubs hold the contracts, and still enforced a salary cap (and gave preferential drafts and foreign player allocations to weaker, losing clubs, etc) then that would be a Positive Policy A Positive Policy would let clubs manage on their own (except for NY which was really stinko for 4-5 years and much as we hate 'em no professional league can survive with stinko teams in NY and LA) and if they can keep salaries down for many of their key players and stay within the cap, then they deserve to keep the players they can within the cap. But a Negative Policy actively forces clubs to dump their best players because SOMEBODY ELSE gave 'em all big raises. Parity is good for MLS - but not the way its been done
Parity is good for MLS - it is the only way it can survive these early years. Back in the early days DC United was often just so much better than other teams it was embarrassing. Sure, I love winning but for the sake of the league and getting to continue to watch and support professional soccer in this country I can accept the growing pains of survival, which include a rigid salary cap and the forced parity it brings. Sometimes I think the team that has the fewest injuries does the best, no matter who the coach is or the strategies or formations used. I also think the players on winning teams deserve to receive pay raises. If you play to be the best and do it and win you deserve more money. If this puts the team over the salary cap, then the team needs to be remade. As more league owned soccer stadiums are built, and more money is made by the league, the salary cap will increase and expansion will happen. Once we start getting some TV money and joe sixpack starts showing interest and knows what off sides is then and only then will I believe that this league will survive. Is the current system perfect - no - but sometimes you got to do what you got to do. - The Far Side