[MD] On Indian Values (Part I?)

[Arlo J. Bensinger]

Platt,

So, I assume your answer to my question as to why abolition of the income tax in
favor of a progressive consumption tax, as favored by Forbes Magazine, is NOT
Marxist. I'll assume too, you can find nothing Marxist in my addition that
eliminates taxes altogether on the lowest 5% valued necessities for anyone.
Good. I know admitting it undermines your continued use of rhetorical fear, but
your evasion is answer enough for me.

As to my other point, bankruptcy, I'll take it that you can find no support
whatsoever that abolishing bankruptcy for BOTH individuals and companies is
Marxist. Nor, I see, can you find an answer for why bankruptcy, if you favor
it, (1) is NOT a regulation of the market and (2) should be denied individuals
but given to companies. Again, admitting this proves you are doing nothing but
distortive fear tactics. But again, your evasion speaks loudy.

Now, as for offering interest rate deductions to ANYONE who volunteers for
community service, you're right, this would require a willingness on the
lenders to value such a thing. In the present dialogue of mercantilism, such a
thing is impossible. I don't favor "enforcing it with a gun", as you harp your
nonsense fear, I favor advancing a dialogue that values some things greater
than "profit". If that day would ever come, I can't say. 

However, car companies (for one example) do things to encourage you to take out
a loan to buy their cars. Cashback, for example. Perhaps one day, when the
cultural values are different, we'll have a program allowing a small reduction
on interest rates for community service as a way of encouraging loans. You see,
in my opinion, this encourages lending, which encourages consumption, and
necessary public work that benefits everyone in the community gets done. So
much for your great "fear of Arlo the Marxist". Not that I expect you to back
off your propagandic-based rhetoric, being a good Party Jester and all.

While we're reminding the folk of questions you're evading, perhaps I can offer
you one more chance to point to one thing in Pirsig that (1) you believe and
(2) opposes "conservative orthodoxy". Anything? Either book? One thing?

Then, to get this thread back to something resembling its original intent...

Are there any "Victorian values" that are "unfitted for modern life"? Which
ones?

As for more Marxist Utopic plans of mine, zero tax on motorcycles. Not only
would it encourage some gasoline conservation, it would encourage more people
to have potential experiences like ZMM. Marxist enought for you?

Arlo