Fer de Lance

Seems like God likes himself some free will there.

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when it's time for the ticket and there isn't a 15% discount, couldn't the atheist just say he said a silent prayer?

this whole thing seems pretty silly.

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Wouldn't that be lying then?

You don't have to be religous to be ethical or have morals. And lying is the anithesis of both.

(Don't get me wrong. I think it is silly too-- I have prayed many times to get out of Winston-Salem when I was there and I am not religous)

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So what's the solution to this issue then? I don't say that sarcastically; honestly, what should be done?

If your answer is to say that wealth inequality isn't an issue, I guess we'd be an impasse. But I personally believe that Reich, et al, have shown a pretty strong correlation between wealth inequality and major economic issues, both qualitatively and quantitatively. I found Reich’s documentary on the subject to be pretty compelling, although parts of it were a little too heavy handed.

Moreover, there seems to be a pretty strong cultural divide happening, with both sides becoming more rhetorical and divisive. I hate that the issue can’t be discussed without those on the right having a knee-jerk “JEALOUSY! CLASS WARFARE!” response, and those on the left having a “CORPORATE INTERESTS! 1% GREED!” response. It’s dumb.

Regardless, I’m not sure what the end result should be, but I do see it becoming more of a problem for a multitude of reasons. I agree to an extent that Reich’s personal wealth/earnings can certainly elicit a smirk when held up next to his message. But this same “oh yeah, well look at what he makes” argument is made whenever anybody with money argues for more progressive economic reforms. It was also used when Buffet talked about tax rates, etc. But to me, it’s a bit of an ad hominem. Sure, it’s hypocritical. But that doesn't detract from the message itself.

Anyways, I’m not proposing any solutions or anything here, just rambling and musing a bit.

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Just keeping pace with Strophie's post count.