Re: justice, justice... Was: Anti-Semitism in the Neo-Confederate movement.

Steve Goldfarb wrote:
> In <dpmb4a$oet$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> "Rafael" <jmalfatto@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>
> >Even if I were to agree to call a rare, informal barter (i.e. of goods that
> >probably weren't even processed for the end purpose of exchange, as they
> >normally are today) a 'market', I certainly would not call an economy which
> >is overwhelmingly geared towards use (again, rather than exchange) a 'market
> >economy' (let alone a 'free-market' one, which is an ideological product of
> >the 18th & 19th centuries).
>
> As I said before, I stipulate that what you're talking about wouldn't be
> characterized as a "market economy." So? How does that affect your point?
> Let them go forage, then - would that resolve things for you? I don't see
> how this impacts your arguement regarding redistribution of wealth.

It doesn't necessarily. It depends on your intent in universalizing
terms like 'market' (but, curiously, not 'wealth'). I think such
language use deserves qualification for its own sake (i.e. regardless
of its relevance to my other, earlier comments).

....
> >Money, unlike goods, not only does not rust, but also grows (depending upon
> >society's monetary and financial policies). It's a social construct that can
> >make those who possess the power of issue very wealthy at a minimal
> >expenditure.
>
> Which is why when you put a dollar bill under your mattress, and come back
> 20 years later, it's value has grown tremendously. WHat? That's not how it
> works? Money "rusts" too.

It's worth considerably more than 20-year-old apples (which have long
since spoiled and decomposed).

Unlike food, fuel, and other forms of matter/energy which embody the
'real' economy (which are subject to the laws of thermodynamics), money
is created virtually out of thin air and can theoretically grow
exponentially and indefinitely (i.e. at least until the economy
collapses, due to an unchecked disconnect with the 'real' wealth of
apples, etc.).

> You are fixating on the object and ignoring the underlying system. I can
> print SteveBucks all day long and that won't make me wealthy. It's not the
> power to print it that makes you wealthy - that's called "inflation."

I think a counterfeiter (and those law enforcers whose job it is to
bust their acts) would disagree with you.

Rafael

.

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