So Tesla is tanking... your thoughts?

[Gunsmoke]

I find so much of the "capitalist/free enterprise" nostalgia being aired here is based on an economic model from 40-50 years ago, long before global trading, before computerization and artificial intellegence (and their impact on need for human labor), in an era of post-war boom, and a time that gave little consideration to environment, human rights, and labour standards (coal miners cough). Many old farts long to go back there, including it appears the current administration.

 

However the World has changed in an irreversable manner. The nearly 3.5B people in Eastern Asia are entitled to work to raise their standard of living, as are the 3B other world citizens outside North America (we have 0.5B). While first Colonial and later Imperialistic powers could exploit freely those populations for 200 years or more, it is no longer possible.  Military sabre-rattling no longer stokes fear in anybody. So it's either play ball or take your ball and go home. While the current US administration is leaning toward isolationism/protectionism, it is a very flawed policy, and it has not been made clear how that will improve anyone's lot in life in the long run. Au contraire, most economic experts predict it will lead to a massive decline in the standard of living as markets for products "Made in the USA" disappear. 

 

Huff and Puff no longer gets the job done. Intelligent, well considered and balanced policies are needed for trade, environment, movement of people, education and governance that will gradually address the overwhelming income disparities that exist between the 1%ers and the rest of us, and the developed countries versus the 3rd world. 

 

I agree that having  good respectful dialogue on this important  aspect of our future can be helpful. We may not think alke, but we all have the same long term vision, a strong and vibrant democracy, where people are treated equally and have access to education, health care, good paying jobs, clean air, safe secure communities and freedom to the seek their potential and happiness. It is possible, but won't be easy. 

[Gunsmoke]

I listened recently to a man discussing Brexit (Britian's proposed exit from the EU), and the "populist'' movement that has led Britian to the brink on this issue. He spoke of an interesting term "Sado-Populism", or the Politics of Pain. Sado-Populism is the notion that a large group of people don't mind suffering pain if someone else is receiving more pain. An analogy might be the scholyard bully who does not mind breaking a finger punching someone and breaking their nose. They get a perverse satisfaction. So Sad eh. When it comes to our political leaders, they are often the worst purveyors of this pain. They for example might gut health care and thereby inflict significant pain on some select group, but ironically they themselves feel none of the pain. Further they get support from those who feel less pain from their actions and enjoy seeing someone else suffer (often an easily identifiable minority). You see this "Politics of Pain"' happen all the time.

 

An interesting quote from Mark Twain at the WH dinner this week: Politicians are like diapers, they should be changed often, and for the same reason.

[billorn]

1 minute ago, Gunsmoke said:

I listened recently to a man discussing Brexit (Britian's proposed exit from the EU), and the "populist'' movement that has led Britian to the brink on this issue. He spoke of an interesting term "Sado-Populism", or the Politics of Pain. Sado-Populism is the notion that a large group of people don't mind suffering pain if someone else is receiving more pain. An analogy might be the scholyard bully who does not mind breaking a finger punching someone and breaking their nose. They get a perverse satisfaction. So Sad eh. When it comes to our political leaders, they are often the worst purveyors of this pain. They for example might gut health care and thereby inflict significant pain on some select group, but ironically they themselves feel none of the pain. Further they get support from those who feel less pain from their actions and enjoy seeing someone else suffer (often an easily identifiable minority). You see this "Politics of Pain"' happen all the time.

 

An interesting quote from Mark Twain at the WH dinner this week: Politicians are like diapers, they should be changed often, and for the same reason.

 

[CarNucopia]

I'm old enough to remember when this was a thread about Tesla. 😏

[Peter Gariepy]

YUP... this thread is now closed.  Open another if you like - but without the politics.