Libertarianism and Socialism

The following is the precursor that lead to this thread about Libertarianism and Socialism and any other  form of government others wish to add to the discussion. 

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Permalink Reply by Alice on December 13, 2011 at 7:38pm

MCT "But, like I tell the many opiate addicts I treat, pain is a necessary part of life that we need in order to function properly, get stronger and live happily. Kind of like, the sweet ain't as sweet, without the bitter. "

I take it here you are just being superficial - and realise fully that this isn't going to even scratch the surface of the problems faced by a junky in casualty ...

Permalink Reply by MCT on December 13, 2011 at 10:29pm

I do not in any way deny, overlook or underplay the complex, painful and difficult nature of addiction. But, in a very real and literal sense, the sooner a brain is reintroduced to the normal pains of daily life, experiences the difficulty of relearning how to find the motivation to get dressed, shower, make a goal, execute a goal, stay abstinent, and seeks and obtains a proper source of self-esteem, the sooner one can be happy. Every drug addict has an improper source of self-esteem and whatever their story, which I am sure if jam-packed with pain, the above is true and valid advice and education for my patients. I am not there to bring them through it; I am not their psychiatrist/friend/sponsor; I am their ER doctor and very rarely do these patients get the attention I give them, on this subject. Only an addict can make a commitment and persevere through this most difficult part of their life, if they can do it at all. And while a solid support system is integral to this happening, it is their job, not mine.

This thought or want for me to be without empathy or experience is simply unfounded and baseless.

Permalink Reply by Alice on December 12, 2011 at 4:54pm

MCT responsibility - a persons ability to respond

Permalink Reply by MCT on December 12, 2011 at 9:26pm

I like it. I must now use obligation, instead. It's such a shame when words acquire meanings in addition to what their phonemes imply. But, what a colorful language it is. Responsibility should mean ability to respond, rather than requirement of action, obligation. Like selfishness should only mean doing for one's self, rather than being overly self absorbed as to be mean to others.

Permalink Reply by Alice on December 13, 2011 at 7:51pm

MCT - obligation - something by which a person is bound or obliged to do certain things, and which arises out of a sense of duty orresults from custom, law, etc.

duty is quite a coercive word.... as is obligation....

Personally I have pursued ideas of non violence - which include overcoming ideas of duty, obligation, should, shouldn't, ought to, have to...

"Another form of communication that contributes to violence and which makes it hard for compassion to take place is any language that denies choice. Language of “have to”, “should”, “ought”, “must”, “can’t”."

http://www.nonviolentcommunication.com/freeresources/article_archiv...

But after pursuing these ideas of non violence - although I like them - I personally found them to be difficult to implement fully.  Perhaps I lack the skills or personality or genes to do so - or perhaps there is some flaw in this idea that humans can be totally non violent in their words and actions.

And so - I believe that your desire to get rid of violence in our society is flawed - for the very same reasons - as eventually you too get back to the point of violence.

 

Permalink Reply by MCT on December 13, 2011 at 10:29pm

Obligation is something a socialist means by responsibility, a moral obligation. A moral duty. It is coercive. I am against institutionalizing this coercion/violence. Humans can never be totally nonviolent and I do not have this goal. Nor do I wish to buy violence with sacrifice, against my will, or anybody's who also doesn't want it.

Permalink Reply by funk Q on December 9, 2011 at 6:23am

No form of government will ever be successful because, no matter what -ism has ascendency, its members destroy it with power plays and corruption and its opponents work against it in order to assume control.

Only random appointment of governing officeholders for random periods can provide any representational equality. 

 

 

Permalink Reply by VeganApe on December 9, 2011 at 9:25am

As an individual anarchist I agree that all government is ridiculous, Unfortunately I believe 99% of people are more ridiculous than the governments governing them. So whilst as an individual anarchist I love the idea of what some ideal of anarchist society could be, Most of the people in society could not be viable anarchist citizens. I do not think there is an answer but I can say that the wealthy will not survive the demise of the 1st world in good tact. It is the intelligent, adaptable and hacker minded individuals that will inherit the earth.....bring on the transhuman revolution. ......lol

Permalink Reply by MCT on December 9, 2011 at 5:34pm

Are you a member of the Singularity Network or Human 2.0 council on Facebook. I recommend it. There is also an interesting Exploring Libertarianism group. Also, don't forget about the Atheist Nexus Group!

Permalink Reply by Alice on December 9, 2011 at 6:14pm

MCT - I had a look for those groups - they don't come up on facebook - have  you got the wording right - can you post links? :)

Permalink Reply by Susan Stanko on December 9, 2011 at 6:20pm

I only checked the Singularity Network and it does come up in a search.

Permalink Reply by Alice on December 9, 2011 at 7:06pm

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