Thursday, October 25, 2007

I Confess

The demise of KRM has caused the Journal Times editorialists to wonder what has become of our "sense of common good."

"This is where the glib may blame television or video games for promoting isolation and self-absorbtion, or blame our desire to help private companies make money by charging low income people for the help they need, or blame our desire to keep more money by ignoring the needs of the other people. The cause is likely to be a combination of those varying with each person."

So if you don't share the vision of the Journal Times editorial board, you are either self-absorbed, greedy, or capitalist, or a combination thereof.

I am guilty. I believe that the owners of companies ought to be able to charge money for the products and services that they offer, which makes me a capitalist. And I believe that collective government action has typically been more harmful than helpful to people in "need", which makes me greedy. And I watch TV. Shame on me!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Under 'Godless Capitalism', there is no concept of common good.

Anonymous said...

As always, it is 'socialism for the rich, and capitalism for everyone else.'

Anonymous said...

In socialism is there an individual?

Denis Navratil said...

1) It was the Journal Times editorial board that dismissed the notion that one might object to the value of KRM for legitimate reasons, instead insinuating that it must be self absorbtion etc... Perhaps you could ask the JT to eliminate labels. They have already eliminated content.

2)Godlessness is generally, and correctly, associated with socialist countries.

3)I am opposed to socialism for the rich, middle class, and the poor.

4) Of course there are individuals in socialism. They are dutiful slaves of the state.

Anonymous said...

Is this a fact blog or merely a right wing worldview memoir?

Anonymous said...

'Godless Capitalism' is rightly used with the capitalistic economic structure.

Denis Navratil said...

I believe you will find more believers in God in capitalist countries than in socialist ones anon.

Denis Navratil said...

Anon, this blog is intended to represent my world view and only my world view. It will include both facts and opinions. You may feel free to label my world view in any manner you like, but as you may know, I prefer accurate labels.

Anonymous said...

Practical atheism...what us Catholics call people who say they believe in some god, but act as they they do not.

BTW, capitalism IS atheistic...and niether considers morality or ethics...read On the Wealth of Nations and Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith.

Atheistic Capitalism relies on self-interest, and greed.

Denis Navratil said...

Anon, capitalism is an economic system which does not address the question of God's existence. As such, it is neither atheistic or theistic. It's adherents, however, are more likely to be believers in God than your socialist comrades. If you don't believe me, compare the rates of church attendance in, say, Sweden or Russia, with those in the good old USA.

Anonymous said...

What a load. America exhibits no more religious belief than anywhere else.

Your ridiculous use of the word 'comrade' is the trash talking of a 'punk'.

Contrarily, Adam Smith, the father of capitalism, was a minister.

Anonymous said...

Church rates mean nothing...it is what people follow as thier 'god'. In the US, it is money, power, and material goods.

My family came from Poland...how DARE you call me comrade...punk!

Denis Navratil said...

Anon, OK, I am being serious now. I think you should take some time off from my blog. It seems to me that you are becoming too angry. It is not possible to have worthwhile dialogue under these circumstances. We disagree on politics. Big deal. Lots of people do. No reason to get upset.

Caledonia Unplugged said...

Denis, to get this back on topic...The J-T's editorial was textbook liberal schoolyard bullying. Have nothing substantive to argue your point? Resort to condescension and name-calling.

Anonymous said...

Does anybody know who is writing the editorials now that Steve Lovejoy has been promoted to Editor?

Or is he still the primary author? They do not show an editorial editor on their editorial page masthead. I wonder if they are looking for a replacement?

And will a "liberal philosophy" be a requirement for the job???

Anonymous said...

For the have's, everything is a big joke...

Denis Navratil said...

cfc, I spoke with someone at the JT who told me that three or four people, one of whom is Lovejoy, take turns writng the editorials. I don't know who the others are. Is a liberal philosophy a prerequisite for employment as a writer for the JT? Hmmmm. I have seen numerous writers come and go, such as Wally Rendon and the crazy drunk girl (her name escapes me) among others. I approached the JT about writing for them part time. Now keep in mind that I had written over a dozen commentaries, most of which sparked considerable feedback, both positive and negative. Several of my commentaries were picked up by other news sources, and I doubt this happens with any regularity for JT journalists. Yet despite my accomplishments with the JT, they had zero interest in hiring me on. Was this because I am not a competent writer or because I have a political philosophy that differs from the JT staff? I know what I think.

Anonymous said...

I know what I think....

...that ideological righties with no facts to support opinions are not welcome to be a columnist?

Anonymous said...

Isn't government by nature, especially democratic government, a social enterprise, aka socialism?

Denis Navratil said...

Yes Eric I believe it is. Which is why the hysteria by Pete and others about the word was unnecessary. I think it is necessary to have limited government, while Pete and others who believe as he does, seem to want to expand government rather than limit it. That seems to me to be one of the essential differences.