Noam Chomsky addressing the international press corp at the United Nations on June 5th, 2006.
Produced by Democracy Now!
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Duration : 0:7:21
You recall in the …
You recall in the beginning of McCain’s campaigning, the McCain rhetoric was all about painting Obama an “Elitist, out of touch with needs of the working class”.
Then we got a wet flip flop. Now McCain’s rhetoric is all about painting Obama as a “Socialist”
Comment by BigHornCanyon — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
How foolish to …
How foolish to suppose Americans are too uneducated to know that Elitism and Socialism are diametrically opposed to one another. I am surprised the liberal pundits aren’t grabbing at this one. As a liberal myself I’d be pointing this contradiction out during the discussions. McCain indeed is erratic and inconsistent in his approach to convincing the world his views are sound and healthy.
Comment by BigHornCanyon — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
In most cases the …
In most cases the poor aren’t poor because they are exploited. They are poor because governments distort markets and governments steal from the people via inflation. With stable money and truly free markets, anyone who even does a half-assed job can get by with plenty to spare. Middle class grows and many become prosperous.
Lawyers, doctors and CEO’s aren’t rich because they exploit. They are rich because they are paid according to skill and market value.
Comment by immanent — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
U.S. policies? …
U.S. policies? Maybe U.N., World Bank, IMF, policies, yes. Often labeled neo-liberal trade, while it is recognized as capitalistic, is not free market. At least part of the problem is that poor countries have corrupt governments that are supported by wealthy international interests, and are loaned exorbitant amounts of money, much of which is subsequently stolen or wasted. Many of those countries do not allow land ownership so free market entrepreneurs can’t really get off the ground.
Comment by immanent — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
At one point Nike …
At one point Nike were paying the majority of thier workers in Indonesia about 4% of the value of the products they were producing.
The question is not ‘why should the middle classes/rich be taxed to pay for the poor’, but ‘why should the rich profit from the work of the poor?’
The rich in all class systems are rich due to the wealth created by those labour class.
Paying people the full value of what they produce would actually be a major step TOWARDS socialism.
Comment by Psycarne — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
US policies have …
US policies have played a large part in keeping those third world countries poor.
Poor nations, means low wages, which means high profit. Why do you think that first world nations are so rich? Who do you think produces those billions?
First world nations pursue policies that keep the rest of the world poor and keep thier markets open to investment. This means thier industry can recieve massive profits from exploiting the labour and resources of those nations.
That is not socialism.
Comment by Psycarne — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Socialism comes …
Socialism comes from below and it comes from people’s movements. If you think that just because the government spends money on things it’s socialist, you’re lost and paranoid. Look up Catalonia, Spain 1936 for an example of socialism.
And you mention the 40 million at near poverty here. Fine, lets start social programs to help them by taxing the out of the mid-upper-middle class and the upper class.
Comment by bootleg42 — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
My definition is a …
My definition is a system by which property and wealth are subject to redistribution by the community.
You’re right that I believe in freedom above all else.
LMAO? Whats not socialist about taxing and inflating the U.S. currency, injurious to the poor/middle class at the behest of other poor across the world, who usually don’t get the aid anyway?
Whats funny here? We have 40 mil at or near poverty in the U.S. Why are we “helping” others?
Comment by immanent — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
So that act is …
So that act is socialist?????? LMAO.
Like I said, you have no clue what socialism is OR you’re a right-wing free-market libertarian.
Comment by bootleg42 — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
The Global Poverty …
The Global Poverty Act that Barack Obama co-sponsored institutes the objectives of the U.N. Millenium Summit, which will require the United States contribute 0.7% GDP, or $849 billion over the next 13 years. I can’t afford to send my money to third world corrupt governments. If you can, thats great, but don’t make me.
Comment by immanent — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Immanent…I don’t …
Immanent…I don’t get it…”the socialist agendas they promote”???
I WISH. , I’d love it if these institutions were socialist. I wouldn’t even be active in activism if it was socialist. You have no clue or you’re a right-wing free-market libertarian.
Comment by bootleg42 — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Most of them are …
Most of them are just right-wing free-market libertarians…aka spoiled middle class suburban white kids.
It’s impossible to talk to them. Anything they don’t like is a “conspiracy” and you can’t logically speak to them.
Comment by bootleg42 — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
The concept of …
The concept of having a state government is psychological dysfunction. Basically a restraining mechanism because humans are currently in the vast majority unhealthy psychologically. With lack of morality as a result of blocked psychological and emotional growth humans create artificial constraints to maintain order. One day when humans learn to develop and grow up emotionally,mentally,psychologically and spiritually then state government will automatically disappear. Morality would be the norm.
Comment by misterpatrickstar — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
this man is a …
this man is a champion of the world ldeas
Comment by nedlund — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
absolute power …
absolute power corrupts absolutely. One the oldest rule of thumb around, but generally ignored.
The same principle of the human condition that applies to the U.N. applies to the Federal Government, namely, that when you send billions of taxpayer dollars to entity that makes law for such a wide swath of people, you inevitably invite political and economic opportunists.
Such institutions are as idealistic as the socialist agendas they promote, and never work in practice, BECAUSE WE’RE HUMAN
Comment by immanent — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Excellent answers. …
Excellent answers. I wish more Americans understood what the UN was. There’s so much anti-UN hysteria in this country, the whole black helicopter crowd, that it’s hard to even talk to people about the UN.
Comment by buddhagem — January 8, 2009 @ 1:33 pm