Quote: (05-03-2010 08:26 PM)weblinks Wrote:
I have something to think about now. I have a lot of free time, don't have any friends, and don't go out much.
I totally agree that Americans feel that they are morally superior to others. I think Western thinking generally teaches us to behave morally. Despite feeling burdened by guilt myself, I think societies that raise children like this are good. This is one reason why I hated China. The Chinese drive on sidewalks, put antifreeze in toothpaste, and can't even wait in a line. Few people in China think of strangers. I prefer the fake politeness of Americans who may hate you, but smile while saying "Have a nice day!". Broadly speaking, Westerners often consider consequences and weigh whether or not their actions hurt others.
I will think about being less judgmental. I will take action if I see someone doing something illegal, though. I have caught several shoplifters, pickpockets, vandals, and drug-dealers before and I don't hestitate to tell someone about them. I think if no one respects rules, society breaks down. There are reasons for having laws. Basically, I am just saying being moral is better than being immoral.
Maybe I am crazy, stubborn, brain-washed, too patriotic, and don't think critically enough, but I think most people would agree that America is fantastically successful. I get the feeling that Americans tend to believe that eveyone would be living in caves if there was no USA. There must be something to this success besides just luck.
I am not arguing here, but I just think if there are rich people, they will buy things and start companies that will support poor people. I respect people like Ray Kroc, Thomas Edison, Andrew Carnegie, and Sam Walton more than losers like me. Billionaires aren't all born rich. I also think welfare does make most people lazy. I have seen it with my own eyes. Why would most people work if the government gave them free food, free medical care, a free house, and a monthly check?
As far as Communism goes, I think democracy and capitalism (despite being imperfect) is obviously the better system. Which system has lasted longer? Who doesn't want freedom?
http://socyberty.com/politics/why-commun...-not-work/
I've already written a lot, and I don't want to do a point / counterpoint thing like in my last post; and you are certainly entitled to your views. I know better than to try to change people.
A couple of quick comments though:
1. The American moral superiority that you feel is nothing but the residue of a cheap, but very effective, form of brainwashing that drums up support for war, and is now insidiously indoctrinated into our national identity. "We are good, they are bad, and therefore the war is our moral imperative."
Its always worked throughout history, but its also the justification for some of the most morally reprehensible acts ever committed by humanity. Examples: The Crusades, The annihilation of the Native Americans, almost every war the USA has ever fought, and any war anyone has ever fought. Just as you are taught to believe this, so is every other citizen of every other country, especially in times of war. The Soviets believed that they were the good and morally superior people in the cold war. The Nazis believed themselves to be morally superior in WWII. Americans, being exceptionally religious, tend to believe the hype and believe themselves to be the gods moral chosen people, even in peacetime. This makes it even easier for our politicians to give excuses for war. Middle America doesn't ask many questions, and more readily believe the emotional/moral propaganda. In the USA, the manipulation of patriotism, religion and propaganda has reached its highest evolved state that history has ever witnessed.
It has always worked, and so it is still being taught, But to believe that the people of America are morally superior to the rest of the world is beyond ignorant. There are loads of evil motherfuckers in this country that would just as soon put cheap poison in your toothpaste insofar as they could get away with it. Pharma companies do this exact thing constantly, and do get away with it because the profits exceed the punishment for doing so. As far as the moral superiority of America is concerned, you can either live in a dream world or in reality. Your choice.
2. I agree with the assertion that we need to obey the rules for society to work. Especially with actions that directly / indirectly infringe on the rights of others. Littering is one of these actions, as it messes up the living space, albeit in a very incremental way. Also, paper breaks down. It depends on what your throwing on the ground. But in general, I fully agree. You then go on to mention three forms of larceny, which I also agree is amoral (as I stated in my last post). I strongly agree with your feelings on this, with many actions. But what if your free speech were made illegal? What if your sexual preference were made illegal? What if one of your other inalienable freedoms were made illegal? When do you break your rule of always following the rules? This line of reasoning could theoretically be used to justify breaking some rules that already exist today.
3. Like I earlier stated, I don't know what communism is like. But its certainly not as simple as them "not wanting freedom". That type of gross oversimplification, and regurgitation of propaganda, leads society down bad roads. There are at least as many intellectual diatribes about why capitalism doesn't work as there are about communism. The problem is, neither of these systems is ever implemented the way the models suggest. Power tends to get to big in either system, which then acts more like organized crime than it does benevolent government. Western Europe seems to have implemented the best mix of the two systems with their parliamentary system of democracy. With Europe, as with everything, don't believe the hype until you experience it for yourself. The quality of life there is incredible, compared that of our middle / lower class.
I do hope you learn to be more of a free thinker, as it will make you happier as well as have other beneficial effects. Take my advice about the non-judgment thing. peace.
