The skeletal hatter
@DrStedx
“Weird how the stock markets are plunging so much when no infrastructure has been destroyed and no natural resources have been depleted.
Almost like all that value actually comes from people's labour. I wonder if anyone's written anything about this?"
Bailouts ultimately amassed of hardworking, underpaid citizens’ tax payments inbound for failing multinational corporations and the private controllers of their means of production...
...whilst those same taxpayers are - clearly illegally in many cases - “temporarily laid off" on unpaid leave. “But extreme times call for extreme measures..."
In 2008, the global economic crisis saw only the world’s richest benefit financially. The same will happen through this crisis. Millions will be pushed into existential poverty whilst the moneyed elite will be protected.
The question is: will we demand and can we build something fairer and more equitable out of the other side of this?
Or will people happily return to the status quo: the *further* enrichment of the 1%, already sat on half of the world’s wealth, at the expense of the worker?
Capitalism’s great lie
posted on 19/3/20
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posted on 19/3/20
Capitalism is not a great lie per se, IMO. Its just the best financial system known to man.
I'd say the same goes for democracy. Heavily flawed but better than all other known systems of governance.
Ultimately the problem is human nature and there is no system known to man, economic or political that can factor in human nature effectively. In my opinion. That makes all systems "a lie".
posted on 19/3/20
comment by Dave (U11711)
posted 1 hour, 51 minutes ago
Hey Rosso,
Seems there are just as manyunts not on the Brexit thread as on it
Some dude attacks socialism, derides others, then threatens violence against others. I guess John Denver didn't do irony
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Hi mate
It’s all my fault. I’m not sure why I’d decide to take a break from the politics thread and political discussion on here and then post this article.
I obviously can’t help myself
Haven’t read much in the press here about what’s happening in Aus. Hope you are both safe and well and remain equipped with the means to edulcorate your posteriors
How about the other half’s family? Are they OK?
posted on 21/3/20
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posted on 21/3/20
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posted on 21/3/20
"Pop density is an issue though."
Hi Dave. Long time.
Can't they each just drink a bit more of it?
And by the way, Spanish mackerel - handle only with gloves.
posted on 21/3/20
comment by Dave (U11711)
posted 4 hours, 34 minutes ago
Both Unis I work at are closed to classes. Wouldn't matter so much if I was in arts or business as online classes can go on but I cannot run online laboratories teaching hands on technical skills.
The teaching money isn't important but it's now a lot of money I'm losing out on.
The missus' airport job is safe but it's going to get ugly. They're likely going to have to close whole terminals due to airline cuts and government travel restrictions.
We're a bit worried for her parents in SG, but there's nothing we can do about it now. SG is one of the best countries for them to be in though, as their govt has been far more proactive than most western ones. Pop density is an issue though. If the virus gets out of hand there, then there's very little that can be done.
Anyways, seems I'm going to have a lot of free time coming up so time to dust off the kayak and start "hunter gathering" a few tuna and spanish mackerel while the water is still warm.
Hope S. Portugal is treating you kindly. Can I send you another bottle of plonk? Got given a case that's even nicer than the Penfolds Max. It's wasted on me.
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I need to get me a sea kayak! The water is often a bit choppy down here, but I’ve seen a couple of guys surfing small swells in them, and it looks awesome fun.
All is relatively calm here. Café and bar culture here is hugely important socially, but if they can’t be out drinking coffee or beer, most Portuguese are happy holed up in their castles. The streets are dead and the beaches empty barring the surfers.
I am yet to see panic buying of any form. I’m not sure that most Portuguese have a panic in them, tbh.
The Algarve is going to be hit very, very hard though if this thing drags on more than a couple of months, which is of course very likely. A huge proportion of the population relies directly on tourism and hospitality, and whether they know it or not, most of the rest benefit very significantly from it.
Although I would never say no to a bottle of decent plonk, you should save it for battling through quarantine Dave. It’s my turn to send you one in any case!
posted on 23/3/20
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posted on 23/3/20
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posted on 23/3/20
comment by Dave (U11711)
posted 6 hours, 3 minutes ago
Rosso, am busy today but the plonk is going in the mail tomorrow. It's another Penfolds. Hope you like it. I'll have plenty of free time coming up so will be sending electronic mail as well. Maybe a little business link up for you and the missus in future with some of my non-transgender-fish people.
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I’ll look forward to both Dave, thank you; and it’s time I reciprocated on the wine front!