[MD] On Indian Values (Part I?)

[Platt Holden]

Let me repeat the central doctrine of Marxism:

"From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs."

Now, look at the Marxist thinker's proposal:

[Arlo]
> "Go with a 100% consumption tax. Higher rates for luxury items (abilities)
> lower rates for necessities (needs). Low rates for your
> firstcar/home (need), higher rates  for subsequent or
> luxurycars/homes (abilities), zero tax on cars/homes in the 
> lowest 5% of the average local market (need). High rates for dining out
> (abilites), low rates for unprepared produce, zero for produce that's 
> grown/raised within a 50 mile radius of the store (needs).

> "Interest rates on loans can be lowered by agreeing to do public 
> service.For example, a loan offered at 5.5% could be brought down to 
> 4% by someone willing to spend 10 hours a week helping kids learn how 
> to read, or delivering meals on wheels, or assisting in eldercare. 
(Needs, needs and more needs.)

> [Arlo]
> And, again, I see nothing Marxist in this. 

Of course not. But everybody else sees in the your proposals the age 
old Robin Hood game of take from the rich and give to the poor,  
brought up to date in the 19th century by Marx and his fellow travelers 
and still trotted out by many left-wingers like yourself today as the 
cure for society's ills.  

As for who is embarrassing himself, look in the mirror, my friend. Oh, 
that's right. I forgot you're blind to facts -- like the booming 
American economy due to Bush's tax cuts.

Platt