[MD] socialism

[plattholden at gmail.com]

Hi John, 

On 4 Jun 2010 at 12:53, John Carl wrote:

[John]
I'm also refering to the functional effects of individualism upon an
industrialized society.  If individuals are the ultimate source of value -
then of course we have to pump them up with dollars and food stamps and
health care and viola - your individualism produces socialism.  Obviously!
Just look around!

[Platt]
You have a point. But, what is the best way to value an individual? How about 
leaving her alone to freely pursue her own happiness? That's the American ideal 
that created the most prosperous culture in the history of the world.       

[John]
Whereas communalism, the bigger picture required when we ask what WE can do
for our community, actually takes us to a place of individual excellence!

[Platt]
So long as "giving to the community" is voluntary,  

[John}
Think about it.  If my thoughts are upon how I may best serve my community,
then I'll think about my own individual worth, what I'm especially good at,
what my peculiar (and in my case, I must emphasize "peculiar") strengths may
be and thus my emphasis of community creates more individualism in me.

[Platt]
You've described the capitalist free enterprise system wherein an individual 
asks herself, "In response to DQ what product or service can I create to serve 
a community of fellow free individuals? 

[Platt previously}
> One of the best of Pirsig's metaphors is the "Giant" who represents the
> "system" that treats individuals like fodder for its own purposes. No need
> to
> elaborate here since the nature of the Giant is fully described in Lila.
> But,
> it's out-of-anyone's-control presence stands as a constant threat to all
> who
> value individual liberty. On that, I think we agree.

[John]
On that, yes.  But how best to resist, which is really the important point,
we are still in debate over.

[Platt]
You can't solve a problem until you first recognize it as a problem. I would 
like to see something like the "Misery Index" (http://www.miseryindex.us/),  
only a "Liberty Index," then give it wide publicity.  What do you think?

Best,
Platt