QUOTE(Kusand @ Feb 21 2008, 12:17 PM)

I think Taki (or at least his post through the lenses of my perception) is saying that there's a difference between wanting to implement communism and being able to admire the idealism in it. I certainly think Communism is a broken system that can't be implemented, but I can respect the notion of wanting to provide a comfortable baseline for all people. It's sort of like how I feel about universal healthcare - I think it's a travesty that there are people who don't have access to healthcare today, but I don't see how to have the government implement it sanely.
Pretty much. I'm not defending communism nor calling for a change to it. Mainly I was reacting to 101's comment that "Communism" is somehow responsible for the millions of deaths in Russia at the hands of Stalin and his cronies. It is not the system, it is the people. Any system can cause pain and suffering to its people. How many people in our country are homeless or below the poverty line? How many people suffer due to lack of adequate health care?
QUOTE(Beamer @ Feb 21 2008, 12:19 PM)

Yeah, like we've discussed, government could never do it. And it infuriates me that so many people want them to. One of the few things that really pisses me off (along with stem-cell research.)
Then what purpose does government serve if not provide for its people? It should only be there to enforce laws and deal with other nations? By your logic, anyone who can't afford to keep up should just be left to die. Can't make money to pay for your health insurance? Too bad, try not to get sick.
Maybe i'm just an idealistic dreamer but how anyone in this country doesn't feel shame that as rich as this nation is we still have millions living in poverty is beyond me. But oh yeah, god forbid someone can't buy a $250K car or a $30 million dollar entire floor apartment on 5th avenue.