Economics

With local news stories highlighting the economy, budgets, etc. I wanted to post some general definitions of different economic systems as well as my personal thoughts on the matter.

(all definitions brought to you by dictionary.com)

1. Capitalism: an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.

2. Market: a capitalistic economic system in which there is free competition and prices are determined by the interaction of supply and demand.

3. Socialism: a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.

4. Command or Planned: an economy in which business activities and the allocation of resources are determined by government order rather than market forces

5. Communism: a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.

The general public believes the United States is a Capitalist nation, and I would partly agree with that. However, we lean more towards what is called a "Mixed Market" economy where are elements of Socialism & a standard Market economy as well as the basics of Capitalism - hence "mixed".

Which economy is best? For the USA? For the World?

We need to lay down some fundamental principles that will help you understand my final opinion.

a. mankind is the deciding factor in what intrinsic and ultimately monetary or perceived value something has. (i.e. the chunk of gold is worth "X" amount of money because that's what someone decided it should be)

b. when a vast majority of the world's wealth lies in a small percentage of the populace (top 5% or roughly 3 million people in a world of 6 billion), we need to find a new means of distribution to equalize it so there aren't these giant pockets of poverty found around the world an within our own nation.

c. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the whole "value" principle. I don't know where it started or how, but I'm sure that Satan is behind it somehow. God created each man equal, and at some point mankind decided to put a dollar sign over each man's head saying "what you do and who you are is only worth this amount of money to society".

d. The "rarity" princple: just because there is a limited quantity of something available, why should that increase the value? What would happen if pocket lint became rare? Would we find it valuable then?

So, what do you think my final thought is on what is the best economic system?

Communism.

Not this perverted, twisted, socialist-dictatorship that we find being passed off in the world as communism. (My research online to make sure my definitions and theories were inline made me sad to see how warped and ill-informed most people are when it comes to the true basics of communism.) I'm talking pure communism. The kind that only can be dreamed about in a utopian society.

Communism's primary basics: common ownership, common resources, equal distribution

Anyone see a problem with any of that?

So long as there is man with his power-hungry nature, pride and selfish tendencies there is no hope for a pure communist society to exist outside of a small kibbutz.

I think that there needs to be a reinstatement of Levitical practices done as a whole and around the world. Every 7 years they would erase all debt and begin the new season with a clean slate. I think that our world would be a very different place.

Righteous Indignation

I admit here and now that I have a soapbox. Occasionally I like to get on it. I am aware that what I say while on my soapbox may not always be popular, but it would drive me crazy if I didn't get on it and type what's on my mind. (I have never done overly well with on the spot debates or apologetics, but I generally continue to process and linger on topics of converstaions or debates well after they are over.)

Soapbox topic of the day: the "Tim Tebow Ad"

I am astounded at how much media attention this 30-second commercial spot is receiving.

I mean what is advertising other than a mean of promoting your beliefs and products?

Are there voiciferous protestors out there that slam alcohol ads because they are insensitive to those who have drinking problems? How about those "Go Daddy" ads that are usually a part of the Super Bowl repetoir that border on pornographic? Car ads that encourage the middle class workers to take on more debt and drive them further into financial instability? Fast food retailers that don't tell you that the meal they just advertised contains your entire daily caloric intake, plus at least 2 full days worth of recommended fat intake?

We've already banned cigarette ads on TV, why not go the whole 9 yards and ban anything that is "unhealthy" for the general public or better yet, the minority public?

Why not? Because in the end it's who has the most money and the loudest voice. $2.5 million dollars for 30 seconds to influence the minds of millions of people watching a football game (many of these millions are likely drinking and possibly intoxicated and won't pay a bit of attention - or take the commercial time to grab a snack or use the restroom). Why does the content of 30 seconds matter so much? Because we think it does and that's all that matters, right?

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I will now outline what I know of the Ted Tebow ad: His mother had several children already. She and her family were on a mission trip during her pregnancy. She got sick or had other underlying health complications. Her doctors recommended she have an abortion due to her health. She CHOSE not to.

It aggravates me to no end when I read articles from supporters of N.O.W. or other feminist movements and pro-choice organizations.

Why?

1. Mrs. Tebow is a woman. As a feminist, she is one of your own because she is a woman.

2. Mrs. Tebow was given a CHOICE. She made a CHOICE. She chose against what others were telling her.

3. PRO-CHOICE organizations should be championing her case, because she is clearly stating that she was given options and she chose the one that was right for her. Evidently it was not abortion...which leads me to a much longer side rant...

If pro-choice organizations and members are only championing people who step up and say "I was given a choice, I chose abortion," what exactly are they championing? Death? There have been other commercials championing pro-life messages (Bethany adoption centers, The Cradle, etc.) What makes this one any different? Or are they not necessarily being negative towards the choice, but more towards the sponsoring organization - Focus On The Family? If that be the case, then direct your anger elsewhere...there are plenty of advertisers that get their funding from less than kosher/questionable intent organizations. What does it matter who paid the bill for an advertisement? Television corporations don't really care so long as the check is good...most of the time (I will conceed that there are exceptions to this rule that I know of.)

I've even seen negative comments towards this ad from Human Right advocates! HUMAN RIGHTS! Is the unborn child not human? Is it the product of alien experimentation? So what exactly is the big deal? Who gives us the right to decide when exactly an unborn fetus is considered a "human" or even a complete person worthy of the rights we all share in this free country? Who is their voice?

I am tired of every time a story comes out from a "Pro-Life" proponent that various other organizations cry "Foul!" or "Insensitivity!" I think it's positively sad and pathetic. Again, let me reiterate a point I have previously made...Pro-Choice, when given a choice a person chooses the option that they feel is best for them. Are we really striking a senstive chord when we want to hear positive outcome stories from minorly influential people? Do they really think we are trying to cram "God" and "Religion" down their throats in a meager 30-seconds? Why aren't they attacking the "Catholics Coming Home" advertisements??

I have known people who have had to cope with the decision to have an abortion - or not to. Every story is different: they were too young, they didn't know they had other options, it was the child of a rape or abusive relationship...

I have also known people who struggled with infertility and are desperately seeking a child to adopt - most of these children come from unwanted pregnancies. Many of these people are still on long waiting lists...

I have known people who chose life for their unborn child. And I applaud them. They did something completely self-sacrificing in having their child - against the counsel of friends, family, even religious leaders - they chose to give their lives away in the hopes and love that they knew they could share with their child.

I have also known people who have chosen adoption for their children. Children that they knew could go to a loving family to be raised and cared for. They gave someone else the precious gift of a child...the precious gift of life.

There are so many loving families waiting to adopt, why deny them the opportunity to love and care for a child that someone else does not want or feel they can? Why are we not FULLY educating troubled women with all of their options and not just the ones that fit our agenda - yes, even "pro-life" people. It is not our place to judge or sway, it is only for us to counsel and pray. Be an example through actions, not just words.

If you need more information on a great Chicago-based organization for those with unwanted or troubled pregnancy check out www.caris.org

*sigh*

I am done with my rant. So I will end with my disclaimer.

I am pro-life. I believe that no matter what circumstances a woman is in, that they become pregnant for a reason...regardless of the reason, we may never understand it.

To the unmarried and married, this is my mantra: "The second you choose to have unprotected sex is the second you're willing you say "okay" to becoming prego."

I am trying very hard not to bring God into the picture for a reason..I want my message to not be discounted by society as "just another Christian rant".

My beliefs and ideals are shaped not only by my faith in a higher power, but moreso by a value for human life. Who gets to decide when life truly begins? Conception? First heart beat? Able to sense pain? Or express emotion? Why and how did we get the right to play judge, jury and executioner with Human Life?

Oh yeah, God gave us freedom of choice from the get-go.

Do the world a favor, choose to think and reason first rather than simply react.