Unclebananahead
12th March 2009, 03:13
So, for whatever it's worth, I've been engaging in various exchanges with some of YouTube's numerous reactionaries. I thought I might share my latest exchange with you all (a person calling himself 'communistsuck' of all things), and perhaps get some feedback. I'm always looking to improve my arguments, and become a more effective writer.
communistsuck: Central planning doesn't work, get that through your thick head uncle stalin. It doesn't measure demand the way that the current US system of using "dollar votes" does and so it isn't viable at all you leftist ignoramus.
Me: There has been a technological innovation in recent years known as a 'computer,' and it's really quite marvelous. It allows for the rapid collection and processing of information, such as that pertaining to consumer demand. The present situation in regards to technological and infrastructure? development--particularly in this country--is very much unlike what existed in the USSR or PRC. What had existed in those countries were economies and infrastructure devoted primarily to agricultural production. Little if any heavy industry, or consumer goods production was present when either country was founded. Those countries were forced to rapidly develop their countries economies in a fairly unfriendly, and hostile environment, made hostile by the global domination of imperialism. They had to 'deprioritize' consumer goods in favor of heavy industry and defense production, if they wished to survive. The result were societies eventually plagued by dissatisfaction. They had managed to make economic planning work, but people tend to suffer from short memories. They had lives better than in pre-revolutionary times, but they tended to suffer from 'grass is greener' syndrome. They took the gains achieved by socialism and economic planning for granted, and regrettably this illness of the mind found its way into the highest echelons of government. But I digress, what we are discussing here are revolutionary prospects here in this country, at this stage in history.
We could plan the economy in a more equitable, sane manner, and make it work. We do not have a dearth of technological development, or advanced infrastructure. In fact, the technological and material resources of this country are quite rather remarkable. These could be used to create a better, more stable, secure, equitable, environmentally sustainable, and comfortable life for all. We would have a constitution, the rule of law, checks and balances and elected, recallable public officials. We would have courts, police, judges, and yes, social workers. It is the present outmoded system's deathgrip on its luxuries at our expense that holds us back from building this better world. And what of their economic planning? The lopsided capitalist mode of economic planning is a non-sequitur. What little planning is done, is done solely in the interests of an elite, unelected, unaccountable coterie of extremely wealthy businessmen. Little concern if any, is given to considerations such as the environment, or human welfare.
communistsuck: Central planning doesn't work, get that through your thick head uncle stalin. It doesn't measure demand the way that the current US system of using "dollar votes" does and so it isn't viable at all you leftist ignoramus.
Me: There has been a technological innovation in recent years known as a 'computer,' and it's really quite marvelous. It allows for the rapid collection and processing of information, such as that pertaining to consumer demand. The present situation in regards to technological and infrastructure? development--particularly in this country--is very much unlike what existed in the USSR or PRC. What had existed in those countries were economies and infrastructure devoted primarily to agricultural production. Little if any heavy industry, or consumer goods production was present when either country was founded. Those countries were forced to rapidly develop their countries economies in a fairly unfriendly, and hostile environment, made hostile by the global domination of imperialism. They had to 'deprioritize' consumer goods in favor of heavy industry and defense production, if they wished to survive. The result were societies eventually plagued by dissatisfaction. They had managed to make economic planning work, but people tend to suffer from short memories. They had lives better than in pre-revolutionary times, but they tended to suffer from 'grass is greener' syndrome. They took the gains achieved by socialism and economic planning for granted, and regrettably this illness of the mind found its way into the highest echelons of government. But I digress, what we are discussing here are revolutionary prospects here in this country, at this stage in history.
We could plan the economy in a more equitable, sane manner, and make it work. We do not have a dearth of technological development, or advanced infrastructure. In fact, the technological and material resources of this country are quite rather remarkable. These could be used to create a better, more stable, secure, equitable, environmentally sustainable, and comfortable life for all. We would have a constitution, the rule of law, checks and balances and elected, recallable public officials. We would have courts, police, judges, and yes, social workers. It is the present outmoded system's deathgrip on its luxuries at our expense that holds us back from building this better world. And what of their economic planning? The lopsided capitalist mode of economic planning is a non-sequitur. What little planning is done, is done solely in the interests of an elite, unelected, unaccountable coterie of extremely wealthy businessmen. Little concern if any, is given to considerations such as the environment, or human welfare.