: Of course, this will not get us anywhere. What concerns me the most is not the growth rate of an economy or how prosperous it is. What concerns me the most is how well their citizenry's rights are protected. Now, when I mention rights, I do not mean the self-contradicting rights of the U.N. No. What I mean are these rights:: 1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good.
And how is a monetary divide where 250 people own as much as 47% of the rest of the world populace?; where 40,000 children under 5 die of poverty every day?; how can you say that this is in the name of 'the general good'?
The 'general good' is the maximised good of the majority of people. Simple.
: 3. The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. No body nor individual may exercise any authority which does not proceed directly from the nation.
- in other words, corporations should have no power over any citizen. Were that so, McSpotlight would not be here.
: 13. A common contribution is essential for the maintenance of the public forces and for the cost of administration. This should be equitably distributed among all the citizens in proportion to their means.
- In other words, a social infrastructure is essential and everyone shall contribute it according to their ability to pay.
Does the phrase 'to each according to their need, from each according to their ability to pay' seem similar here?
: 14. All the citizens have a right to decide, either personally or by their representatives, as to the necessity of the public contribution; to grant this freely; to know to what uses it is put; and to fix the proportion, the mode of assessment and of collection and the duration of the taxes.
Exactly how many people have a say in the Pentagon's budget...?
: These were taken from the Declaration of the Rights of Man penned by the French National Association.
And, as artificial constructs go, they're pretty good ones; an attempt to produce a socialized state.
This is an unusual step for you, David; you've said effectively that you think that everyone is fundamentally equal and that all should pay towards the socialised state according to their need...
Farinata
