By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
That Guy on 13 April 2009
Edit Thread
TheRealMafoo said:
That Guy said:
too long, didn't read.

Mafoo, I think its a little short sighted for you to claim a longer life expectancy in the name of capitalism. We also have programs like Unemployment, Social Security, and the FDIC, which are all pretty much social programs that were propped up in the past 100 years.

The United States was also a pretty Po-Dunk country back then; definitely not a world power. What changed it? Well two world wars pretty much wiped out the economies of the european countries, leaving only the United States standing as a world power.

Not that I am against capitalism, but lets not pretend that it is the sole reason why America has become a Superpower.

This thread is talking about economics more then politics. China is a world supper power, and it didn't get there with Capitalism.

No, I am talking about the advancements in science that have brought us to where we are today. The primary reason people live longer today is three things. Better food, better medication, and better work environments. I attribute all three of those to technology. I also attribute almost all technology advancements in the last 50 years to free markets.

 

oh but politics and economics are pretty much intertwined with each other, are they not?

China is a World Superpower, solely on the basis of of its population and cheap labor, IMO.  Remember that China is a fledgling nation, with maybe 50 years under its current regime (if that). They basically had to start over after WW2 as well, so I think comparing China to the US is sort of like comparing apples to oranges at this point.

For the sake of arguing with you, I would say that the food isn't really that much better. More processed? Yes. More plentiful? Yes, but in part to government subsidies (which of course is somewhat socialistic). Better work environments? C'mon man, that's HUGELY in part to the labor unions! 

The unions are what fought for 8 hour work days and 2 days off on the weekends! Same goes for stuff like Workman's comp and safer work environments. Back in the day, people were working in steel mills, 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. If you happened to get injured on the job, you got laid off, no benefits!