Say what you mean, and mean what you say
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Online usersPollWhat should the government do about ailing financial institutions? Nothing, except to back off and get out—as any Objectivist knows, intervention is treating the disease with the disease 84% Intervene judiciously—enough to avert a catastrophe that is otherwise imminent 3% Intervene massively—as it's doing 3% Nationalize the whole economy and be done with it. Bring on the USSA! 1% Something else (specify) 9% Total votes: 76
 Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell
 Economics In One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt
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Pareto’s Criterion Submitted by PhilipD on Thu, 2008-08-28 14:58.
‘The pay gap between the rich and poor has shrunk for the first time in 20 years, according to a new report on the nation's social wellbeing.’ This, says a lazy, stupid, journalist, a dreary professor and an envy-ridden poverty activist is a good thing.
“But there is some promising news. A gap that had been yawning has started to close again,” squeals John McCrone in The Press. Certainly Donna Wynd, an ‘analyst’ from the Poverty Action Group agrees. “Even in terms of just happiness reported levels of contentment across a whole nation inequality has a way of making everyone feel left behind,” she bleated. And Mike O'Brien a professor of social policy also steps in with the nonsensical statement that “the Gini coefficient,” which measures income inequality, “could well be considered a valid economic target because narrowing the income gap would contribute at least as much to the national sense of well-being as any sheer growth measure.” Yep, let’s put aside economic growth and focus on narrowing the income gap. Why? Why care about a miserable gap when the poor have become much richer themselves over the years because of economic growth. Because some people are going to feel mad, sad, or angry about being left behind. Pathetic. But Ruth Dyson and the Labour Party seem happy enough about it. Dyson proudly puts the reduction in the gap down to her policy of ripping off money to fund her ‘Working for Families’ package. No thoughts of making the economic cake bigger here. At least she is honest about it, I suppose. Ruth, the income gap is a good thing and the bigger the better as far as I am concerned. Why do you want everybody to be average? Why do you want everyone to be like you? Will any sense of aspiration come from that? We need the gloriously magnificent rich to show us that it can be done and how to do it. And we need many, many more of them. So why all this pandering to envy and hatred, Ruth? ‘Pareto’s criterion’ says that any positive change in the circumstances of people has to be seen as a good thing if it doesn’t harm others. What’s wrong with that, Ruth?
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aah...
I was wondering which sick bastard would comment on that first. Should have known to put my money on you Mindy.
"The ultimate result of shielding men from folly is to fill the world with fools."
-Herbert Spencer
Anyone "who"
has to spend time in the company of burning cigars is soon sick, and sick also of the bastard (who is smoking them.)
--Mindy
Sorry ... I didn't mean it
Sorry ... I didn't mean it to come across like that.
Bah, wouldn't worry about it, on reflection me getting stinky about it may have been a smidge on the hypocritical side.
What is your actual opinion on smoking?
Cigarettes are to smoking as "swap a crates" of DB are to drinking.
As for a smoking habit being "anti-life"... well if (and with cigarette smokers it's not exactly a big "if") it's an uncontrollable habit - then yes. However, I have known one or two people, arguably addicted, who were certainly in control of it, if indeed they had one, and smoked purely for pleasure rather than sating an addiction.
Anyone that has a problem
Anyone that has a problem with cigars is one sick bastard.
"The ultimate result of shielding men from folly is to fill the world with fools."
-Herbert Spencer
Lance
Sorry ... I didn't mean it to come across like that.
Let me try again.
You made a joke about smoking being an enjoyable leisure activity. What is your actual opinion on smoking?
My opinion is that smoking is gross and, arguably, anti-life.
All joking aside, wouldn't
All joking aside, wouldn't taking up smoking, knowing what everyone now knows, be irrational and anti-life?
Or is this another example where Objectivists are required to think, and do, the opposite of whatever the PC nanny-statists say, even if happens to be a good idea?
Sigh...
"Another" example? I'm sorry, can you give me the first one? For one thing I don't claim to be an Objectivist. I like what I read and understand, but I'd be hard pressed to sit down and argue a case for it.
And for goodness' sake: "required to think"?
Sounds like you're just picking fights. No thanks.
Smoking
Splendid! It's a thoroughly enjoyable indulgence.
All joking aside, wouldn't taking up smoking, knowing what everyone now knows, be irrational and anti-life?
Or is this another example where Objectivists are required to think, and do, the opposite of whatever the PC nanny-statists say, even if happens to be a good idea?
I hate those state-funded anti-smoking posters (featuring "musicians" because they are "cool" and "relevant") with a passion, but smoking tobacco is just gross.
Pass me the bong, someone.
Where'd I put my shotgun?
"Ruth, [..] Why do you want everyone to be like you?"
They won't have it as good as she has it. A non-job with all the perks for her envy-ridden economic tomfoolery.
She's coasting after having done the 8 years for the pension and air travel for life.
On the improved
On the improved list:
Smoking rates.
Splendid! It's a thoroughly enjoyable indulgence. Oh... perhaps that doesn't mean what I think it means...
Yes, and it doesn't
Yes, and it doesn't surprise me the gap is narrowing: 50% of those with the skills to earn decent money have got the hell out of here. And why wouldn't they?That is what is bringing the gap down. Once the last of us left there wouldn't be any gap at all: of course, all those left would be equally starving.
I've been saying if I was ten years younger, I'd get out, but am thinking that a cop out. I'd love to pull out.