[MD] economic pragmatism

[Squonkonguitar at aol.com]

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."
 
Mark 21-11-06: Hello Platt,
I don't know that one.
When i read myself doing the utopia thing, i'm far worse on myself than  this 
Platt, but that's because there is a streak in me that knows how dreadful  
Human nature can be. The song i sing is this:
'I heard it was you
Talkin' 'bout a world
Where all is free
It  just couldn't be
And only a fool would say that.'

Platt:
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?"
 
Mark 21-11-06:
But they don't work for free. In Welcome, a person practices their art  
freely, and for the farmer that is farming.
What more do you want? A medal? Vast amounts of 'things' like Donald  Trump?
 
Platt:
And what's on a free menu?
Steak and lobster?
 
Mark 21-11-06:
What's on the menu is what Earth may sustain. And that's allot.
Industrial farming is not sustainable.
 
Platt:
If not, who decides who gets what?
 
Mark 21-11-06:
Compassion decides who gets what. At the moment greed determines who gets  
what.
 
Platt:
As for "Welcome" as the name
for your Utopia, I was reminded of that  word over the entrance to Dachau. 
Scary.
 
Mark 21-11-06:
Have you nothing more constructive to add Platt?
Remember our current ways of thinking brought about Dachau.
 
Platt:
Sorry Mark. Try as you might, there ain't no free lunch -- trite  but true. 

Platt
 
Mark 21-11-06:
The thread began with Gav's enquiry into what form moq economic pragmatism  
may take.
I took that enquiry seriously, but looked at things from a blank slate  
perspective.
Getting from were we are to were we want to be is another matter, but i  
don't think it's OTT to wish for the best.
I think the moq supports free basic biological requirements and this is not  
incompatible with the possible.
Love,
Mark