[MD] economic pragmatism

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting Squonkonguitar at aol.com:

> Mark 21-11-06: Hello Platt,
> I don't have a problem with self-reliance but i don't feel this has to  
> equate to do or die.
> In Welcome, to use the name i've adopted for our utopia, food is free, so  no 
> one has to worry about starving under usual circumstances. And we've already  
> advocated educational awareness of the importance of food provision and the  
> social status of farmers in society.
> In other words, social conditioning places high value on Human  care.
> The quality force becomes less of a written rule and more of a Human  
> imperative - but reinforced.
> The same goes for violence and disruption.
> Does this introduce a tension between self-reliance and society at all  Platt?
>  
> Regarding enforcement beyong social conditioning: This requires  thought.
> I think a basic requirement is a limiting of freedom for those who go out  of 
> their way to harm society.

Hello Mark,
Your Utopia reminds me that old folk song, "Big Rock Candy Mountain" where the
"cops have wooden legs, the bulldogs all have rubber teeth and the hens lay
soft-boiled eggs."

Take just your idea that "food is free." What makes you think farmers and fishermen
are going to work 18 hour days for "social status?"  And what's on a free menu?
Steak and lobster? If not, who decides who gets what? As for "Welcome" as the name
for your Utopia, I was reminded of that word over the entrance to Dachau. Scary.

Sorry Mark. Try as you might, there ain't no free lunch -- trite but true. 

Platt 


 
 

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