Re: dvd recorder/player

William Meyer wrote:

> Again, your ignorance is stunning. The best protection of freedom is,
> has been, and will remain, capitalism.

Whilst not willing to get dragged into a slagging match I'm pretty sure 
the jury is still out on this score, especially as your notion of 
'freedom' and another man's are likely to be vastly different. US 
economics enshrine the freedom to be vastly wealthy but also the freedom 
to be vastly poor and enjoy little in the way of healthcare, welfare or 
vacations by circumstance of birth or econimic ability. European 
'socialist' policies (as you so quaintly - and sadly wrongly - term 
them) enshrine the right for men and women to have an existence.

It may serve you more to couch your absolutes as opinions. After all 
your view of capitalism is likely not shared by the majority of the 
world just as your President's view of Christianity isn't.

> Your socialist governments, with
> all the "support" programs they mandate, including your lengthy and
> mandatory vacations render European business almost incapable of being
> competitive in North America and Asia.

Within the current European Union I can only think of one government 
that still enshrines any form of 'socialist' principles - France. It's 
one of the few nations in the EU with an enviable track record on public 
health, public transport, education standards and standing up to US 
bullying in the UN.

Italy, Austria and Spain are all governed by parties of the right and 
centre right. The majority of the remainder (Denmark, Germany, Portugal, 
Repiblic of Ireland etc) are governed by coalition governments with 
'social deomcratic' policies that lean towards free trade with a small, 
but constantly cut back, welfare element. Britain is ruled by the 
notionally 'socialist' Labour party who have consistently ensured that 
business is their priority and that public services are cut back to the 
point of making them useless. They have extended the previous 
Conservative government's policy of provatisation of nationalised 
industries. None of this is 'socialist' activity.

Whilst I have no intention of 'yank bashing' I do feel that the 
isolationist tendency of the current US government, and it's continued 
mission to brand all things 'socialist' as bad has misinformed you. It 
may yet be true that workers rights, mandatory holidays, shorter working 
weeks and public healthcare may ultimately mean that Europe does not 
compete with Asia on an economic basis. However the Asia you champion is 
dominated by China, a nation that has made a Capitalist Dictatorship out 
of an Imperialist Hegemony.

> Study some history yourself, and some economics, while you're at it,
> and spare us the mindless diatribes.

Hopefully you will have read some of what I've written and reaearched a 
little more. Whilst Tony Blair and Silvio Berlosconi would doubtless 
love to be hailed as champions of Socialism, they are not, nor never 
will be socialist leaders. Please get your understanding of the current 
European political climate in order before spouting off about 
circumstances you clearly are in ignorance of.




--
Patrick

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"When you were young, you were the King of Carrot Flowers"