Last night I went out with a few friends, two are Mexican citizens here on worker visas. We saw some Blues, and talked about the shortcomings of the Mexican government. I asked them to explain to me why so many Mexican people want to come to the US. Mauricio said it was because the Mexican government taxes so much on certain goods. I asked if he thought that was because instead of having a totally free-market economy, government intervenes with price controls and VATs like Europe and keeps things from actually reaching a medium between supply and demand curves. He thought it was pure capitalism, but it seemed to me to be more socialistic. I've just started Greenspan's new book.
It seems to ethically advocate for capitalism and free markets as a solution to raising the standard of living for everyone. I go back and forth on how to solve poverty, lack of effective insurance and education.
Some of my friends and I were talking about how little Americans know of their history and world history. I don't think as many Americans our age would be such hardcore socialist advocates if they seriously considered the 23-50 million starved to death under Stalin, or similar executions and starvation under Mao.
That said, some state intervention policies have worked, even in the US, like those from FDR's new deal. I don't know the solutions to the problems our generation will face with Social Security and Medicare, but I'm looking forward to reading Greenspan's proposals of what looks to be ethical capitalism.
I think Americans live in a very polarizing society currently. I studied there 2 years. You are conservative, you must love Bush and all that is evil. You are liberal, you must be pro-choice vegan.
Plenty of liberals care more about the working class than testing rabbits with shampoo. Plenty of conservatives actually can't stand Bush and his liberal like policies of state controlled education standards and spending money like a rock star. I agree with Greenspan that ultimately, the majority of human beings have underlying ethical rationales for why they choose their dogmas. Maybe focusing on what underlying beliefs bring us together as a global community will provide a respectful dialogue to solve future problems.
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- 2007-10-17 @ 00:12:49
Where in the US did you study? It must have been some backwards place like Duluth, MN where college kids have nothing better to do all winter than sit inside, smoke weed and talk about rabbit shampoo. Some of the rest of us are quite well adjusted I believe. Don't base your views of the entire population off of two years with some silly college freshmen in a random town. If you really want to get into our heads I would recommend a road trip. Just take a week, head out and speak to as many people along your way as possible- that will give you a feel for us silly Americans. Besides, exploring and self-discovery are the American way.