I hate liberals.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I am a liberal, but I really hate liberals. I think I might need therapy.
When the Republicans were kicking our butts in election after election by making the case that liberals looked down on others, they were right. We drove our smugmobiles, were isolated from reality by our textbook-driven theories of how the world should work vs. how the world does work.
We laughed at people who turned and voted for George Bush.
Liberals are anti-corporate, but seems very susceptible to corporate advertising and trends. Example: They love Toyota for the Prius, but forgive Toyota even though nearly every other car and truck they make gets worse mileage than a competitor.
We claim to support better health care, a clean environment, a secure retirement and on and on, but are so gullible that we bought into the whole free-trade, pro-capitalistic corporate crap that has lowered our standard of living, destroyed unionized labor, moved production to dirty manufacturing facilities, and otherwise undermined everything we as liberals stand for. For what? Short term corporate profits, and no better conditions for our fellow humans overseas.
Sorry this isn’t a piece of literary genius. I just felt like ranting.
Have a nice day.
R.I.P. Teddy.
18 comments:
Wait, how has pro-capitalism *lowered* standards of living, and what is wrong with destroying unionized labor?
The fact that each of your questions answers the other, and the fact that you asked them in combination means there is no explanation Bob, Smitty or I could give that you would: a) understand; b) accept.
I'll give it a shot...
I think Bob is referring to the ridiculous notion that The Market (a subsidiary of Walmart) will automatically select the best, most beneficial, most profitable route for "the risk-takers," "entepreneurs," and "the American economy".
What we're found is that they are motivated by their own profits (as they should be), but that profits does not necessarily track with economic progress. In fact, they often diverge wildly. See Enron, Madoff, housing...
Trusting "the market" in an economy is like trusting "the people" in a democracy. They may be the base unit, but with the ability to do whatever they want, and without a framework in which to operate, they tend to go apeshit.
"I think Bob is referring to the ridiculous notion that The Market (a subsidiary of Walmart) will automatically select the best, most beneficial..."
I was actually referring more to international capitalism, which completely erases all of the human rights and environmental protections we have put in place over the last century, but you make a valid point. You add nicely to my quick and dirty post.
The obliteration of unions here and exporting of labor abroad (internationally) has resulted in a race to the bottom in the name of lower overhead—no matter the human expense.
The latest example? American tobacco companies shifting their sights on Africa as the new market and shifting tobacco operations over there—and using children as young as five to work in the fields for 12 hours a day—poisoning them and surely toiling under brutal disciplinary conditions as well.
Sorry. The tobacco story here.
And don't give me any shit about how U.S. regulation and policy forced their hand. Yes, farm policy and taxes have changed the business model here in the U.S., but nobody made them shift operations from (relatively) responsible practices here in North Carolina to child labor/slavery operations in Africa. They could just as easily set up shop with favorable working conditions for willing adult workers for a comparative (to the U.S.) bargain, but I'm sure those workers would demand 10 cents a day instead of just 5.
Makes me want to fucking vomit.
Liberals and conservatives are capable of huge amounts of inconsistency...maybe it is human nature. I can think of hundreds of examples where people say one thing, but practice another and liberals are certainly not immune to it.
"And don't give me any shit about how U.S. regulation and policy forced their hand."
Regulations are often there for a damn good reason. My problem with our trade polciies is that it undermines these protections for workers and the environment. If we utilitzed access to our market as a way to leverage improved working conditons around the world and crerate a middle class elsewhere (which would in turn create a market for our products) I would not have a prblem with "free trade".
I agree with Bob. Free trade tends to be a lot more free for other countries selling goods here than it is for us selling goods in other countries.
steves, it's all interconnected. We import—and have a trade imbalance—largely because American companies and retailers save money on overseas labor. Because that labor in most cases is from a permanent poverty class, there will never be money there to buy anything American in return.
Helping to create a middle class in other nations would benefit our markets. Aside from isolationism I don't see another solution.
I don't have anything to add but this: thanks Mr Furious for saying anything I might. But better.
While that is true, there are other markets that are only open to us on a limited basis. It is much cheaper and easier for Japanese car companies to sell their cars here than it is for us to sell ours there. I am sure Bob can elaborate on this much better than I. China's markets are only open to us on a limited basis, too.
"It is much cheaper and easier for Japanese car companies to sell their cars here than it is for us to sell ours there."
GM sold 2,000 cars in Japan last year. The Japanese sold what 4.5 milllion here? Nuff said. This is why I boycott Japanese cars as should all good liberals. The Japense use non-tariff barriers to dominate their marketplace. Ford can't even buy Mazda, Japanese laws prohibits owning more thana third.
There are tariffs on auto parts imported into China and requirments that cars built there, be sub contracted out to their own automakers, so they can learn how to manufacturer their own cars. That said, China is actually a better trading partner on cars than Japan and other countries. Look at GM's market share there. The Buick Enclave and Some Caddy models are even exported from Michigan to China.
"—and using children as young as five to work in the fields for 12 hours a day—poisoning them and surely toiling under brutal disciplinary conditions as well.
..."
I have a friend who grew up with her migrant worker parents, picking vegtables in the fields of the US. She was poisoned by insecticides sprayed on top of the workers and where she was playing as a child. Although it was 50 years ago, it happens here too.
Although it was 50 years ago, it happens here too.
There's a Senator who made it his life's work to combat exactly that type of stuff...what was his name again?
"There's a Senator who made it his life's work to combat exactly that type of stuff...what was his name again?
Hmmmmm. Theo.. No, lets see Sam? No. Ken something..maybe...hmm...no. How about Jack? John? Of Ted That's it!
I take it you liked the dude.
I take it you liked the dude.
I'll be perfectly honest, as I said in my "obit," that I never really fully appreciated the magnitude of his contributions or his place in history until now.
Whether you agree with his progressive agenda and record or not, it's pretty clear he was one of the most effective Senators in history. And since I DO agree with his agenda, that makes him pretty fucking great. ;-)
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