double

...what would you change in your own society? What would your society be like in say 100 years? Which problems would you start with, what are the fundamental issues in your opinion that would call for a change and development so that people would feel better and live happier lives? Share your vision of a perfect society.

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Simple_Min

This seems more like a SAT essay question. =)
Perfect society: no prejudices, equality, freedom, politics being completely torn from Corporation and or monetary interests; freedom from evils of capitalism & the problems of communism, yada yada yada.

On the flip side I don't think it is possible for humans to create a perfect society because of our evolutionary past. For example, we have evolved to fear those we do not know (and it makes evolutionary sense) and not trust what we have never seen before. Thus the domino effect continues down the path until we reach today. To quote a line out of a film, Waking Life:

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ToiletDuck

I would like to take the state lottery money and start giving it to schools like it was intended to do when it started.

Liquor Dealer

You've really lost me with this one - Looks like you've left yourself stuck in a socialistic form of communism. "Freedom from the evils of capitalism". It seems, when left to its own devices, the world chooses capitalism over every other form of economy. Even China seems to like the idea... If one believes those who post from areas of the world that are using some form of socialism one might get the idea that it is really expensive, when it comes to taxes, to support this type of government. Let me be cruel (or logical depending on how you look at it). Let the world's population make what it is capable of making. Let it aquire all the wealth it can aquire based on its resourcefulness and its willingness to work. Let those who are capable but choose not to work starve. Let the people of that economy take care of those who are unable (not unwilling) to take care of themselves. Do not have a form of government that dictates to me what I want or need. That is for me and no one else to determine. If I can't pay for it I don't need it and I guarantee I'll never ask someone to give it to me. Cold or logical?

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Easytiger

Maybe people choose capitalism because it's easy. Let's face it, the central tenet of capitalism is "Every man for himself".
That's not the kind of rule I want to live by.

gibber71

Liquor Dealer ...the next round is on me.Couldn't have said it better.

Easytiger

Would you guys say that if you were from poorer countries?

crewsor

You have a point there, there is plenty of opportunity in America. What about the places where no matter how hard you try, life still is a constant struggle?

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The_Dude

i'd expand a little more on the bill of rights.

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"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

Liquor Dealer

Dude! How are you ging to expand the Bill of Rights?

Are you going to make them now the first eleven ammendments instead of ten? Or do we just go all out and take the first twelve?

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Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, sometimes it's more like a jar of Jalapenos --- what you say or do today might burn your ass tomorrow!!!

sixate

HAHA! I was thinking the same.

My opinions on this topic won't be popular ones so I'll just keep them to myself.

Tophat665

Actually, I'd want to give Crowley's dictum the force of law:

An it hurt no other, do what thou wilt and let that be the whole of your law.

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fredbowsnowski

Get rid of religion. It is no longer needed. God was made by man at the beginning of recorded history to control the masses. It was needed then, but not now. Religion has caused more wars and death than any other cause in our history. The time is right to believe in life as it is. We are all worm food at the end of our days.

Viva life.

KillerYoda

I'd probably bomb everyone and everything, then swim around in a big pool of oil.

In otherwords, I wouldn't change things too much.

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Pacifier

not sure about that, it is the form that has evolved. plus it is a strong form, so other nations are forced to follow in order to be able to compete (that struggle is one of the reasons Russia failed, they tried to follow to USA no mater what.)
But i seriously doubt that it is the best form for mankind, it is far to inhumane for that. plus it will eat itself, capitalists belive that there will be "eteral economic growth" which is bullshit, no system growths forever, sooner or later they will crumble.

Because they what to compete with the western world, but sooner or later that will lead to something very ugly...

And the ability to dominate other nations and steal their resources...

Haha, capitalism does that, it dictates that you have to work to life a bit, if you fail to achieve the requirements of your society you're dumped. that is not what i want to see in the future.


For me my future society will loose concepts like "religion" or "nation" the future of a person will not be based on the luck to be born in a western nation or a 3rd world nation, the rights of a human will not be based on what a little piece of paper calls him. All humans will work together, not to be better or drive bigger car than the neighbor but for the benefit of the society, for the benefit of mankind.
Together not against each other.

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— Albert Einstein

Simple_Min

Now, i should have been clear as to what I meant by "evils of capitalism".

I was simply refering to the working class/poor being taken advantage of and exploited by the select few, and consider New York as a example.

I woun't get into any specific events, (though there are plenty) that changed, for good or worse, the strong grip a select few capitalists had on the majority of the city's poor and middle class. Not until after the Triangle Waist company sweatshop fires did this problem become apperant and addressed (though not much was done to change anything). Because the aim of a Capitialist company is not to provide for the people, but to turn up profit...at any cost.

All in all, Capitialism is a good idea, I'd like ot see it happen one day. Unions are a good idea, and that's where I envy some of my European fellow humans.

Nad Adam

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The_Dude

add more specific rights.

like have the 14th be a part of the bill of rights.

add universal suffrage as part of it.

be a lil more strict on govt endorsing religion.

clear up the whole abortion issue, many things.

add judicial review, so we dont have to wait till marbury vs madison

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Sun Tzu

Not to mention the complacency that comes with lack of incentive. Competition is a double edged sword: Its true that in some cases it can bring out the worst in humans, but people that follow path usually get what they have coming to them (Bill Gates is another thread) The flip side is encouragement of entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Is it better to never have played a game thus never having to taste the bitterness of defeat? Admittedly losing sucks, but there's nothing like the feeling of winning. IMO accomplishing a goal feels the same way. What’s the point in studying for a test if everyone is going to get C's anyway?

If anyone that feels their way is the only way in spiritual matters, that would solve allot of problems (but that will never happen)


My main hope is that any problems that cause global danger get t worked through somehow and the shift turns from what it has been for a very long time to space exploration.

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rogue49

I like capitalism, it takes advantage of man's baser self-interest
and works it into a benefit to society.
With some regulation and a few well managed social programs.
We have way too many down, let's narrow it down.
I hate tariffs and I hate subsidies.
Keep a decent amount of officers around town, and make sure they are doing their jobs correctly & efficiently
Trim the glut of the government and the military.
They have gotten out of hand with inefficiency and pork.
Reduce the death tax & income tax and increase the corporate tax & capital gains.
Improve the infrastructure of the nation,
and get us away from oil which has a strangle hold on us.
I agree with a strong, well-paid, flexible military.
More Marines, Navy & Air-Force...less Army.
Less artillery, more projection of power, quick & dirty.
Start getting our government out of being the morality police.
They are here to serve us, not guide us.
And narrow down the scope of affirmative action.

I'll come up with more later.

smooth

The people who deserved A's in a competitive environment would study for the test even though they knew everyone was going to be given C's. For them, the goal would be learning rather than the grade. In the competitive system, however, even people who do not deserve A's (cheaters, unintelligent test takers via rote memorization, good looking students, etc.) can achieve them through diverse means.

Sun Tzu

It’s a fine line I suppose between politics and philosophy. In reference to your first sentence; they deserved it according to whom? In 96 I was going through BUD/S- Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. I wash out due to an injury, but was there long enough to know SOMETIMES getting things done by diverse means isn’t a bad thing.

Outside of deserving which I’m assuming is your opinion, do you think the people that have to study subjects they find less than desirable, but bust their ass to pull an A (such as too get into Law school, or Med, etc) should have the same opportunity as the person who slacks because they know it doesn’t matter anyway?

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Memalvada

For El Salvador:

- Give more opportunities to the people that REALLY deserve them.
- Legalize marihuana. (it would do wonders for tourism)
- Abolish the military (we dont use it anyways)
- All political parties should have the same budget amount
- Nationalise the public transport system
- Reduce the amount of money the government spends on itself (the politicians get paid way too much for what they actually do).

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Halx

The USA should be more like the TFP.

Sex is not taboo.
Crime is dealt with by swift, decisive action.
I'm in charge.

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smooth

I'll elaborate on the "deserve" part. According to this example, I am assuming that in a competitive system we would both agree that the student who does best according to the accepted means deserves the highest grade. That is, we agree that cheating or special favors to those not willing to do the work do not deserve the highest marks (or rewards).

Your scenario, without knowing the specifics, is exempt from this since an injury is outside your personal control. Do you think you should have been granted a special circumstance as warranted to accomodate your needs or should you be allowed to resort to unacceptable means? If the latter, what prevents others form figuring their circumstances exempt them from the normal means of achievement? Kant argued that social actors should follow a categorical imperative--that is, we should analyze our actions in terms of its acceptance as a universal law. Thus, one should not cheat because the system would not operate correctly if everyone cheated.

Your last point is perhaps where we might differ, but maybe not. I'm proposing a scenario like this:

Say five students are in a classroom. If we offer all the students a slot in medical school based upon merit and desire but without material rewards then only the ones who are most capable and desirous would apply themselves to the work. This is not to say that all the students should get slots if none do the work; rather, even if one removes the material incentives then those most desirous would still engage themselves in the work.

The students in your example should study for the test because they want to learn and they would do well on the test because they understand the subject best--not for material gain. By placing a premium on the course (by awarding A's and B's, etc.) and an essential need to achieve high paying jobs (paying rent, buying food, reinforcing the idea that people who drive a Lexus are more important than those who drive a Hyndai) creates impetus for people who would otherwise be unsuited for a particular position to strive to achieve it by any means possible--even illegal ones. Also, this system punishes those who have been ill-prepared by their social environment but would have otherwise been perfect for the position (the outside personal control injury exemption should apply to these students).

For example, my A's are pretty much assured according to my professors. My work has not diminished as a result of their opinion, my desire to learn and produce quality work precludes that from occuring. This is a conversation that occurred between me and the chair of my department last term:

Smooth: I'm going to take your class pass/fail because I don't want to jeopardize my GPA.
Chair: You don't need to tell me, I turn in a letter grade and the registrar places the P or F on your transcript.
Smooth: Well, I wanted your opinion.
Chair: I think it's a stupid idea. You'll still do the same amount of work--it's not like you're going to turn in sub-standard work, that's not the type of student you are. Why not get the A?

MSD

I'd like to see a country where enough job opportunities exist that anyone who is willing and able can make a decent living, those who are not able have some sort of assistance program to make them able (Free education and job training) and those who cannot become able (Mentally handicapped, crippled) can find generous people to help them survive without handouts from the government, and find even a small job that they are capable of performing in order to contribute and get back from society. Every job would be equal oportunity (not the pathetic excuse for "equal" that we have today,) and every person who was willing to work hard could be promoted based on work and experience. Nutritious food, clean water, breathable air, and a secure home would be rights, not commodities, and provided for free, and paid for by a fair tax rate. Extra food or a larger house could be purchased if desired, but the basic needs would be fulfillled by the government. Vehicles would be efficient and clean, and public transportation would be encouraged and provided.

In other words, I'd add a few things to the land of opportunity that our society is intended to be.