[MD] socialism

[Mary]

Hi Platt,


> [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.
> 
[Mary Replies] 
Democracy protects individual liberty, but what protects Democracy from
itself?  Without protection, Democracy rapidly devolves into a state
controlled by those with the most money to influence it.  This is
effectively equivalent to a "corporate dictatorship".  How different is that
from a "communist dictatorship"?

Hardly anyone builds a huge corporation by being thoughtful of others, and
none are elected to hold their wealth by democratic vote.  Yet today, the
amount of power wielded by corporate interests over our own government is
turning our nation into a corporate rights state at the expense of the
individual.  

I do not believe we fought a war of independence to ensure corporate rights
or oppressive governmental control.  One is just as bad as the other, and
are only different sides of the same tarnished coin.  Corporations and
governments are not people.  Only people can or should be granted rights,
and no entity should be granted unfair advantage by virtue of wealth.  To
believe otherwise is to tread on shaky ground.  Freedom of religion sets the
precedent and the principle should not stop there.

The "Giant" is a two-headed hydra.  

Best,
Mary