tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491758030360570659.post8629089382053445585..comments2023-08-02T08:55:39.775-07:00Comments on The Implicit & Experiential Rantings of a Person: A new kind of communismIan Mayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08624133872487044679noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491758030360570659.post-29044277947929312532011-10-23T11:00:20.432-07:002011-10-23T11:00:20.432-07:00Heya Susan,
The value that I find in having a cla...Heya Susan,<br /><br />The value that I find in having a class analysis is that of seeing the world as it is more clearly. Different groups of people interact with each-other in different ways, and the structure is such that some of these groups have more access to power and resources than others do. This is a <b>description</b> of the way things are, and not a <b>prescription</b> for how I would like for thing to be. That's an important distinction.Ian Mayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08624133872487044679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491758030360570659.post-79390862767618617682011-10-19T18:31:38.055-07:002011-10-19T18:31:38.055-07:00"...there is only 'us' - the working ..."...there is only 'us' - the working class." For me, there is only 'us' - humanity. <br /><br />If you want an end to capitalism, then the work ethic has to go. Most of what people call work is an expenditure of time, effort, and other resources to no life-serving end that I can see. <br /><br />I love your new communism. Yes, question the notion of ownership. Yes, redefine wealth and redefine success. Unfortunately, though, it seems to me that capitalism and democracy are each an outgrowth of that win-lose, right-wrong, competitive mindset that most of us have been so carefully taught. They seem inextricably intertwined. <br /><br />Yes, I've bumped elbows with the 1%. Some of them are called philanthropists; they put old wealth to life-serving purposes. Some of them are called athletes or performing artists - or are these people working class even if they are multi-millionaires as long as they have blue-collar parents? I don't like to be put in a box. What needs are you serving by sorting people into classes? <br /><br />For me, "the 99%" is just shorthand for "virtually everyone" - nobody left behind.Susan Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11061240445450442569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491758030360570659.post-10835246897507018012011-10-18T20:58:30.218-07:002011-10-18T20:58:30.218-07:00If you define a the working class as "someone...If you define a the working class as "someone who has to work for money" then we have an issue.<br /><br />This means that CEOs are part of the working class, since they are elected and are hired and paid by the Corporation. Who is the Corporation? Shareholders. Who are the shareholders? Investors and often, pensions funds. What kind of pension funds? 401k and also union pensions. So, the CEO works for the union pensioners. This does create an interesting paradox where the capitalist class is union retirees and the working class is people like Donald Trump.<br /><br />Ultimately, it doesn't matter. 20 percent own 85 percent of the wealth compared to 1 percent owning 35 percent of the wealth. The problem with the 20 percent model is that would students at prestigious unis. Namely, many of the protesters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491758030360570659.post-53253909443417206082011-10-18T12:06:46.312-07:002011-10-18T12:06:46.312-07:00Thanks for sharing this. I appreciate your perspec...Thanks for sharing this. I appreciate your perspective though I am attracted to different strategies. I really liked how you expained capitalism, that was helpful & thought provoking. As to the 1% v 99% I like to distinguish protesting against behavior, or systemic injustice rather than towards the "group" of people in the 1%. I don't need to give them empathy and I'm ok if they are uncomfortable. I only want for myself to sure to consider their needs, though not their greed. Thanks!! CarolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com