I dont think this sounds right. "Its working people who should control the work to be done" The work to be done: housing, pollution, crime, schools. But who is going to pay for the workers to work in those areas? Either the government or business. I guess one could say non-profit organizations, but then thats not work its volunteering. Or if its paid volunteered work then that money would just be coming from profitable businesses or their employees through donations. And "As long as employment is tied to someone elses profits the work won't get done"? Lots of work is tied to profits and is still done.
I dont think this sounds right. "Its working people who should control the work to be done" The work to be done: housing, pollution, crime, schools. But who is going to pay for the workers to work in those areas? Either the government or business.
Have you ever heard of worker cooperatives? It's essentially a business that is completely owned and in control of the workers, so they have a direct interest in giving back to their community. You're drawing a false dichotomy between capitalist enterprise and the state. There are proven ways in which workers can be in control of their workplaces and communities without the need for intrusive special interests.
The greatest experiments in this type of governance have historically taken place in Spain. During the Spanish Revolution, many areas of Spain were under the control of libertarian socialists, who ran those areas along anarcho-syndicalist principles for about three years. Economically, they were strong. Production increased over that period compared to the previously capitalist economy. Unfortunately, they were undermined by Marxist-Leninists (with funding from the Soviet Union) and eventually defeated by fascists (led by Franco). But, the spirit of the revolution still exists in the Basque region of Spain, where the economy is controlled almost entirely by the Mondragon Corporation, the world's largest conglomerate of worker-owned cooperatives. When the Global Financial Crisis reached Spain, unemployment skyrocketed in every region except the Basque Country.
And "As long as employment is tied to someone elses profits the work won't get done"? Lots of work is tied to profits and is still done.
In context, this means that as long as employment is tied solely to profits, the work that is not profitable will not get done, even if it would benefit society if it did get done. A capitalist economy is extremely short-sighted. Investments that have long-term or non-monetary value are often ignored in favor of ones that provide quick, tangible returns.
I agree. The idea sounds great in theory, but the money has to come from somewhere. With corporations and wealthy Americans lobbying for tax breaks there is less money to spend on things like schools and infrastructure. And of course they are not just lobbying the government, they are lobbying the people and the people eat it up.
They don't want higher taxes especially if it is to pay for a park because they don't have kids. Of course I'm generalizing and this is no way is an indictment of everyone. It's just that from personal experience with friends and family, it seems like the "low taxes no matter what" mindset with no though of repercussions is winning.
Of course (almost) no one ENJOYS paying taxes. Of course we (almost) ALL wish we could keep all of our money.
I dont think this sounds right. "Its working people who should control the work to be done" The work to be done: housing, pollution, crime, schools. But who is going to pay for the workers to work in those areas? Either the government or business. I guess one could say non-profit organizations, but then thats not work its volunteering. Or if its paid volunteered work then that money would just be coming from profitable businesses or their employees through donations. And "As long as employment is tied to someone elses profits the work won't get done"? Lots of work is tied to profits and is still done.
Have you ever heard of worker cooperatives? It's essentially a business that is completely owned and in control of the workers, so they have a direct interest in giving back to their community. You're drawing a false dichotomy between capitalist enterprise and the state. There are proven ways in which workers can be in control of their workplaces and communities without the need for intrusive special interests.
The greatest experiments in this type of governance have historically taken place in Spain. During the Spanish Revolution, many areas of Spain were under the control of libertarian socialists, who ran those areas along anarcho-syndicalist principles for about three years. Economically, they were strong. Production increased over that period compared to the previously capitalist economy. Unfortunately, they were undermined by Marxist-Leninists (with funding from the Soviet Union) and eventually defeated by fascists (led by Franco). But, the spirit of the revolution still exists in the Basque region of Spain, where the economy is controlled almost entirely by the Mondragon Corporation, the world's largest conglomerate of worker-owned cooperatives. When the Global Financial Crisis reached Spain, unemployment skyrocketed in every region except the Basque Country.
In context, this means that as long as employment is tied solely to profits, the work that is not profitable will not get done, even if it would benefit society if it did get done. A capitalist economy is extremely short-sighted. Investments that have long-term or non-monetary value are often ignored in favor of ones that provide quick, tangible returns.
I agree. The idea sounds great in theory, but the money has to come from somewhere. With corporations and wealthy Americans lobbying for tax breaks there is less money to spend on things like schools and infrastructure. And of course they are not just lobbying the government, they are lobbying the people and the people eat it up.
They don't want higher taxes especially if it is to pay for a park because they don't have kids. Of course I'm generalizing and this is no way is an indictment of everyone. It's just that from personal experience with friends and family, it seems like the "low taxes no matter what" mindset with no though of repercussions is winning.
Of course (almost) no one ENJOYS paying taxes. Of course we (almost) ALL wish we could keep all of our money.