[MD] An inquiry into morals

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Platt]
  ...perhaps we should start apply the principles of the MOQ to some 
moral issues that matter in our daily lives. For example: Is it moral 
for politicians to promise benefits using other people's money?

[DMB]
Maybe the question should be less abstract. Let's look at a 
particular politician and his actual policies and ask a moral 
question based on that, eh?

[Arlo]
It's also empty rhetoric. I doubt any person would be against the 
promising of roadway and waterway rebuilding and repairs to improve 
our daily lives. New superhighways pass greater traffic and goods, 
open waterways and ports allow international trade, and both afford 
many the possibility of recreation and professional travel. When 
"Politician A" promises to collect taxes to improve our roads and 
waterways, I consider this moral social infrastructure building.

In the same way, when Politician A proposes to collect taxes to fund 
public libraries, museums, parks or even fire, police and EMT 
services, I find this also quite moral. Immoral would be a system 
where only the wealthy had access to books, art, or fire protection 
services. Or consider the politician who promises to improve our 
lives by collecting taxes to fund border safeguards, airport security 
and increasing the size of our legal and court systems.

And, in the same way, I see nothing immoral with collecting taxes to 
provide support so that none are without food, medicine or basic 
shelter. Food banks, free clinics, and temporary housing are just 
some ways we demonstrate the basic value of human life and dignity at 
the core of our culture (I would hope, anyway). Indeed, I find it 
always pathetic that some decry that "my money" is used to help a 
poor family eat a meal, or give a child from a poor family flu 
vaccine. Money truly is "god" to many, and the mercantilist rhetoric 
that has infected our culture is deep-rooted.

And, as you say, the code underlying the rhetoric is simply hatred of 
non-whites, coupled with a smug sense of superiority. But you make 
the assumption that Platt would want to distance himself from that. 
Hardly, a simple perusal of your archives should provide you with 
ample evidence to the contrary.