I thought I’d ask this again here for more diversity of opinion; it seems everyone in the government section is right leaning.
I am going to describe two scenarios and I want you to tell me which scenario you would rather live in and why. Also please include your age, gender, country and political affiliation.
Scenario A:
Your government (and its citizens through a majority vote) has decided that all citizens should be given the basic necessities. Every citizen is given a car and a home to suit their needs. The car is one that is safe, reliable and gets the best gas mileage. You are allowed limited options such as color and whether you want a convertible, two door or four door, and other options are allowed for those who need them such as pickup trucks for farmers, minivans for large families and handicap accessibility features. The homes you get are also suited to your needs with few options, and if the home doesn’t fit your needs you may be asked to move (but in the same town) such as if you have children you can move to a larger house, when they grow up you must move to a smaller house. You also get free healthy food and you have the option of buying junk food with your own money if you so choose. You are not however allowed to buy larger cars or houses due to the environmental impact. You also get your utilities provided for up to a certain limit as well as gasoline and car maintenance (you are free to buy more utilities and gasoline from your own earnings if you wish). Healthcare and education is also provided to each citizen as well as clothing for work and job interviews (other clothing may of course be bought by the individual) as well as free school uniforms for school children. Childcare is covered for everyone and so is care for the elderly, sick and disabled such as home health, hospice, nursing homes and retirement homes.
There are no taxes for anyone making less than $250k per year, and subsidies to get incomes up to 250k for families and 200k for individuals who are working full time and not making that much. People making over that will be taxed, and very wealthy who have more than one million dollars will be taxed heavily.
Scenario B:
You live in a system with total freedom and complete individual responsibility. The government exists only to curb serious crime (murder and rape – there are no more laws against drugs, prostitution or other such crimes and private property is the individual’s responsibility to protect) and to provide a military. Everything is owned by the private sector including schools, roads and fire departments. You must pay for children to go to school, you must subscribe to the fire department to use their services, even emergency room care is not provided to people with no insurance. There are no more public libraries – there are privately owned book rentals instead. You must also pay tolls on every road you drive because they are all privately owned. However, there are no taxes other than a sales tax to fund police and military.
Pearl L
June 5, 2010 at 2:40 am
that first one sounds better
Eddie N
June 5, 2010 at 3:08 am
Scenario A for real. LOL
f life, email me tips for death
June 5, 2010 at 3:17 am
I am 20 years old.
I am a male.
I live in Canada.
I’m a Liberal Republican.
If I were to decide between these two options, I’d choose option #2. More capitalism and less government is pretty much always the way to go. If a government is responisble and can handle financial situations, a dose of socialism or a mixed market economy that is planned may be helpful here and there. That stated, a smaller government whose purpose is to provide ‘ Life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ ( The American Constitution), or a Constitutional Republican government is the most successful type of government in the history of mankind. Capitalism has allowed for complete personal freedom- less gun control which means a lower crime rate- and a harder working middle and working class which limits the gaps and spaces between the rich and the poor. A system where people are rewarded the fruits of their labour is the best system because then those specific individuals and familes can provide food, groceries, medical expenses, housing and vehicles. They can afford their gas milage. However, a smaller government which owns most of the roads and perhaps provides some healthcare as a basic necesscity for survival for its people may also be a beneficial factor as a system of governenance.
Truth is...
June 5, 2010 at 3:50 am
Scenario A: Is a two class system, rulers and slaves. You can call it socialism, communism, marxism, dictatorship or fascism.
Scenario B: Is capitalist and libertarian, just one step above anarchy as you describe it.
With proper curbs on crime I prefer B.
Jim in Indy
June 5, 2010 at 4:41 am
The first scenario is frighteningly similar to George Orwell’s 1984. In it people are essentially mindless drones with little incentive for independent thoughts and actions.Beware the Thought Police!
The second scenario is indeed dangerously close to anarchy. The opportunity to take advantage of the weak and ignorant would provide too great a temptation for the unsavory and anarchy would indeed soon ensue.Within a relatively short time the world would resemble something from Mad Max.
So,like most other things, there can be no definitive answer and the truth is somewhere in the middle.
peter_unk
June 5, 2010 at 4:49 am
Any basic human need, like food, water, shelter from wind, rain, and heat and cold, safety, security, is not something anyone can claim is theirs to give, and nor is it something anyone can say is not human need.