Politics Richest 1% own 82% of the world's wealth... and 100% of politicians

[A Cut Above]

So what does the 1 percent have anything to do with anyone else's circumstances?

In a capitalist society, money = political influence. The more wealth concentration there is the fewer voices dominate the political agenda.

Youve dug yourself a huge hole already, Id stop digging if i was you.

Tough to respect anyone tasteless or clueless enough to display a turgid warmonger in their avatar. Tony Blair belongs behind bars or at the end of a rope.

 

[Procrastinator35]

In a capitalist society, money = political influence. The more wealth concentration there is the fewer voices dominate the political agenda.

Jeff Bezos is now richer than the poorest 16 countries in the world annual GDP.....That is a recipe for disaster.

The international bankster cartel's ultimate dream is to have us all under the one system, so they can squeeze us all dry collectively, in one fell swoop....And all the Western governments are aiding & abetting them in this dream-land fantasy.

 

[smokingjacket]

Nobody is claiming the government is the most efficient. That would be a government-by government and industry-by-industry thing.

But the notion that we can just withdraw from government is a fairy tale. We all benefit from it, and society could not function without it.

I wouldn't be so quick to cede the ground that government is less efficient than the private sector when producing many goods. Natural monopolies and heavy industry when tied in to a holistic national economic plan have a proven record of being very efficient. In fact many of the goods we use every day come from big SOE's. Likewise the record of privatisation is very mixed. Even when there has been price reductions or increased productivity, consumers have often suffered big losses in service and quality.

 

[Long Live HFC]

Hey you know what we need? I think we need the Government to start getting involved in our electricity and telecommunication industries as well.

start? remind me who built the copper network and funded that little hydro scheme in the snowy mountains?

in your view, what was the most significant fiber infrastructure built by the private sector prior to 2007?

 

[King Brown]

I just don’t see why we should resent people like Bezos, Brin, Page, Musk. I think Zuckerberg is a creep, but people love his website for some reason. All have produced goods/services in the past 10-20 years that have transformed peoples lives.

Bigfooty’s infrastructure is on AWS, right Chief?

Some billionaires are obviously bad - the Kochs, the Sacklers, Gina Rinehart, etc. But not all.

The current world is winner takes all where globalisation and network effects via the internet enable winner takes all. That doesn't mean everyone gets poorer, it just means the 1% accelerate away, until the day they inevitably switch on the drones and kill us all from their private tropical islands.

 

[smokingjacket]

I just don’t see why we should resent people like Bezos, Brin, Page, Musk. I think Zuckerberg is a creep, but people love his website for some reason. All have produced goods/services in the past 10-20 years that have transformed peoples lives.

Bigfooty’s infrastructure is on AWS, right Chief?

Some billionaires are obviously bad - the Kochs, the Sacklers, Gina Rinehart, etc. But not all.

The current world is winner takes all where globalisation and network effects via the internet enable winner takes all. That doesn't mean everyone gets poorer, it just means the 1% accelerate away, until the day they inevitably switch on the drones and kill us all from their private tropical islands.

Yeah but Bezos is destroying viable businesses that employed thousands of people and provide essentially the same service just very marginally less efficiently. If the government created an online marketplace, maybe through Australia Post, for small businesses to compete and compensate for the massive advantages that Amazon has through tax avoidance, I might agree more. Much like Uber, so much of the online success is due to gaming of regulation and taxation over any great productivity advancement.

 

[King Brown]

Yeah but Bezos is destroying viable businesses that employed thousands of people are essentially provide the same service just very marginally less efficiently. If the government created an online marketplace, maybe through Australia Post, for small businesses to compete and compensate for the massive advantages that Amazon has through tax avoidance, I might agree more.

Sure, but half the internet runs on his infrastructure stack. That's where the value is. I think most of his revenue comes from AWS these days.

 

[smokingjacket]

Sure, but half the internet runs on his infrastructure stack. That's where the value is. I think most of his revenue comes from AWS these days.

Yeah hard to argue with that.

I guess there's an argument that parts of it could be nationalised for greater efficiency. The internet is a public good.

 

[King Brown]

Yeah hard to argue with that.

I guess there's an argument that parts of it could be nationalised for greater efficiency. The internet is a public good.

I don't see that happening anywhere but China tbh. Can't see Australia outcompeting AWS in any form.

The problem is nationalised and subsidised industries worked a lot better when sales lines were local, or you have some kind of nearby controlled market at scale to sell into (eg Europe). Australia, given its size and distance from everything, will never be able to have things like car manufacturer again. We're probably sadly going to have to model ourselves on lesser states.

 

[Proud SJW]

All well and good, then you'd better isolate yourself in a cave then. Unless you don't drive on roads, use currency, use medicine provided for by the state at POS or through research grants, live on a plot with boundaries enforced by the state, live on a property whose value is inflated by connection to any state funding etc etc etc and on and on we go.

Of course, if you exercise a choice not to be involved in all that and would actually prefer to live in some metaphorical cave, the state will ensure you can't.
Which is, I think, a part of one issue at hand. Live the way society dictates, or ... well, there is no "or" really.

The only people who are able to live off the grid nowadays are those who can afford to.

 

[smokingjacket]

I don't see that happening anywhere but China tbh. Can't see Australia outcompeting AWS in any form.

The problem is nationalised and subsidised industries worked a lot better when sales lines were local, or you have some kind of nearby controlled market at scale to sell into (eg Europe). Australia, given its size and distance from everything, will never be able to have things like car manufacturer again. We're probably sadly going to have to model ourselves on lesser states.

I understand where you're coming from but I think there's real opportunity for government to move in to the digital space. The main thing holding it back at the moment is lack of imagination, and I think that will change as the wave of boomer politicians and head bureacrats move on who are intimidated or easily impressed by the internet. Many of these companies are natural monopolies and actually suit government control or even better, government controlling the levers to make a "true" free market of competition, like a government run Amazon marketplace. It will be tough to claw back any of of that ad stream at any point but it's worth a shot. There's a couple of EU committees looking at the regulation and a few states looking at digital SOE.

 

[Benny78]

Nah mate. Australia's "rich" don't pay a fair slice of tax, they pay pretty much all of it. And if you live in WA the scenario is worse because we pay everyone else's GST on top.

Surely you're not referring to crown resources/coal/iron lol?

A state is not a country lol. WA is a state of this country what a bizarre form of entitlement.

 

[Benny78]

Just allow the public ownership/control of the means of production and problem solved.

Without profits, what would've been profits is instead invested into business efficiency and better value. Marketing departments are a useless concept to the public, those staff are a complete waste and would be more valued in customer support roles.

 

[Total Power]

These are victories of Indian socialism as much or more than capitalism.

The only state in India that has had 100% literacy for some time is Kerala which has also had the strongest representation by the Communist Party of India. Outside of the centres of finance and bureaucracy, it's markedly one of the most developed states in India.

I work in the state of Kerala (i have a production facility here). It's a fantastic place to live and work, i admit but what you said is true about literacy but its a very black and white for you to state communism is responsible for that. Half truth. To know why Keralites are so educated compared to other Indian states you need to go back and read history. The roots of Keralas literacy culture can be traced back at least to the Hindu rulers of the 19th century. The queen of trivandrum issued a royal decree in 1817 that said, "The state should defray the entire cost of the education of its people in order that there might be no backwardness in the spread of enlightenment." She hoped education would make her people "better subjects and public servants." Under that order the Kings of cochin built and supported public schools, the highest concentration in the country. But back in thase days, Kerala had a 40% Christian population, Kerala was the only state, which was supported by the Christian missionaries which allowed ALL CASTES to study together. Previously only upper castes was only allowed to go to school.

This laid the very foundation of education in Kerala. In the beginning of 20th century, the state continued its reforms and allowed all genders and castes to study together. by around 1950, kerala doubled the average literacy rate in India. Land-reform measures established after the state of Kerala was formed in 1956 also contributed to the success of its literacy movement. "When every family owns a piece of land, no matter how small, they have a sense of belonging," they can plan for the future, and education of their children becomes a part of that planning." (hardly socialist/communist)


You can find further information here

https://kailashafoundation.org/2017/05/04/kerala-high-literacy-rate/

I can go on, but it's extremely black and white for you to suggest its a Communist/socialist product or they are responsible for the such forward looking people. Kerala has always been the shinning light for India and Indians, for the past 200 years. The state of West Bengal had been communist for over 30 years from 70s all the way till 2010 and mass damage was done to the state in that period of time. Kolkata went from a business hub to pretty much a rathole and all companies headquartered there moved to Mumbai or Delhi, all under Communist rule. If you would like to read more about how Communists like Comrade Basu ruined W.B read here

My view of India comes from working here, i rarely need to read newspapers or magazines to form an opinion though. You can ask a Kerlalite about their history, they will tell you, they always been the most advanced forward thinking people in India for 200 years.

 

[smokingjacket]

I work in the state of Kerala (i have a production facility here). It's a fantastic place to live and work, i admit but what you said is true about literacy but its a very black and white for you to state communism is responsible for that. Half truth. To know why Keralites are so educated compared to other Indian states you need to go back and read history. The roots of Keralas literacy culture can be traced back at least to the Hindu rulers of the 19th century. The queen of trivandrum issued a royal decree in 1817 that said, "The state should defray the entire cost of the education of its people in order that there might be no backwardness in the spread of enlightenment." She hoped education would make her people "better subjects and public servants." Under that order the Kings of cochin built and supported public schools, the highest concentration in the country. But back in thase days, Kerala had a 40% Christian population, Kerala was the only state, which was supported by the Christian missionaries which allowed ALL CASTES to study together. Previously only upper castes was only allowed to go to school.

This laid the very foundation of education in Kerala. In the beginning of 20th century, the state continued its reforms and allowed all genders and castes to study together. by around 1950, kerala doubled the average literacy rate in India. Land-reform measures established after the state of Kerala was formed in 1956 also contributed to the success of its literacy movement. "When every family owns a piece of land, no matter how small, they have a sense of belonging," they can plan for the future, and education of their children becomes a part of that planning." (hardly socialist/communist)


You can find further information here

https://kailashafoundation.org/2017/05/04/kerala-high-literacy-rate/

I can go on, but it's extremely black and white for you to suggest its a Communist/socialist product or they are responsible for the such forward looking people. Kerala has always been the shinning light for India and Indians, for the past 200 years. The state of West Bengal had been communist for over 30 years from 70s all the way till 2010 and mass damage was done to the state in that period of time. Kolkata went from a business hub to pretty much a rathole and all companies headquartered there moved to Mumbai or Delhi, all under Communist rule. If you would like to read more about how Communists like Comrade Basu ruined W.B read here

My view of India comes from working here, i rarely need to read newspapers or magazines to form an opinion though. You can ask a Kerlalite about their history, they will tell you, they always been the most advanced forward thinking people in India for 200 years.

Land reform was literally the first thing the Bolsheviks promised to do as they traipsed around the countryside fighting the Russian Civil War. In societies coming out of feudalism, land is still the primary form of wealth, so breaking up the huge estates of the 'nobility' to redistribute to the peasants is always the first stage of a socialist development strategy.

Even though the Communist Party of India wasn't in power in Kerala, the ideas and activists that led to socialism taking hold there later were in place well before they were elected. They were drawn together by the anti-imperalist struggle and had a huge effect on Indian politics.

But for the record I wasn't just referring to literacy as a marker of development. Kerala has done well on a number of different development markers since the 50's, despite not having the typical economic advantages that might explain it.

But I have no intention of discussing West Bengali politics because even granting the physical and emotional trauma of Partition, it's inconvenient to my argument and also deeply sad. It's a beautiful place.

 

[Total Power]

Even though the Communist Party of India wasn't in power in Kerala, the ideas and activists that led to socialism taking hold there later were in place well before they were elected. They were drawn together by the anti-imperalist struggle and had a huge effect on Indian politics.

I would disagree with this. The kerala society at that times, around 1900s, was very oppressive and Fuedal. The caste system was rigid and the practice of untouchability was rampant. Against this social discontent was strong. Around this time, formal education was initated by Christian missionaries and later followed up by royal government. This was the receptive background into which ideas of communism and socialism came. None of it would have been possible with the education initiate undertaken by the missionaires and the Royals.

The education initiatives enabled people to think on their own and question the validity of many hereditary practices. Discontent at the existing scenario made them receptive for the new ideology of communism which not only promised liberation but assured that the wealth will come into the hands of those who actually work. In fact one of the early and most popular slogan was " the farmlands which we reap will become ours"

In fact you can say case of socialism in Kerala is one of being in the right place at the right time.


This didn't happen in Bengal, with literacy rate being less than 50 percent at that time. Hence the problem.

 

[smokingjacket]

I would disagree with this. The kerala society at that times, around 1900s, was very oppressive and Fuedal. The caste system was rigid and the practice of untouchability was rampant. Against this social discontent was strong. Around this time, formal education was initated by Christian missionaries and later followed up by royal government. This was the receptive background into which ideas of communism and socialism came. None of it would have been possible with the education initiate undertaken by the missionaires and the Royals.

The education initiatives enabled people to think on their own and question the validity of many hereditary practices. Discontent at the existing scenario made them receptive for the new ideology of communism which not only promised liberation but assured that the wealth will come into the hands of those who actually work. In fact one of the early and most popular slogan was " the farmlands which we reap will become ours"

This didn't happen in Bengal, with literacy rate being less than 50 percent at that time. Hence the problem.

This is a very Marxist take! "The revolution failed in Bengal because the people had failed to reach the sufficient level of development for socialism."

How much time do you spend in Kerala? It's got a lot of potential as a destination and industrial centre.

 

[Total Power]

This is a very Marxist take! "The revolution failed in Bengal because the people had failed to reach the sufficient level of development for socialism."

How much time do you spend in Kerala? It's got a lot of potential as a destination and industrial centre.

I agree Kerala is heaven on earth as far as i am concerned, people say India is a shithole etc, maybe its true for bigger cities, but bloody hell, someone should see the healtcare industry there, its as good as Europe! people from all over India (and even abroad) come for the healthcare there. Probably the only industry left here outside of tourism.

On the flipside though, Kerala is drowning in debt. I will tell you what it is actually (outside of the beautiful place it is) cause i do business here. They (the govt) introduced militant trade unionism which drove every single Industry out of state. They refused to bring computer and marched against technology and hence Kerala despite educated people couldn't develop a tech city. If they had allowed computer Kerala would've had a Banglore level city. Kerala has been losing business to Karnataka for 2 decades now. Mainly because the government refuses to execute the planned reforms, that includes, ease of doing business and government departments are seriously overstaffed. On top of that their refusal to execute the planned reforms means Kerala also a victim of brain drain, mostly to neighbouring bangalore and the gulf states. It's not all that rosie in Kerala, as a business owner the ease of doing business is non-existent, regulation after regulation and now i understand why so many have packed up and left for Bangalore. (which i plan to do now in the next 12 months, enough is enough).

The most staggering question as far as i am concerned is why Kerala is top 3 in unemployment in India, despite having full literacy? the answer lies in what i said above. Communism/Socialism is not all that good mate, the cons outweigh the good more than often.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_states_ranked_by_unemployment

 

[smokingjacket]

I agree Kerala is heaven on earth as far as i am concerned, people say India is a shithole etc, maybe its true for bigger cities, but bloody hell, someone should see the healtcare industry there, its as good as Europe! people from all over India (and even abroad) come for the healthcare there. Probably the only industry left here outside of tourism.

On the flipside though, Kerala is drowning in debt. I will tell you what it is actually (outside of the beautiful place it is) cause i do business here. They (the govt) introduced militant trade unionism which drove every single Industry out of state. They refused to bring computer and marched against technology and hence Kerala despite educated people couldn't develop a tech city. If they had allowed computer Kerala would've had a Banglore level city. Kerala has been losing business to Karnataka for 2 decades now. Mainly because the government refuses to execute the planned reforms, that includes, ease of doing business and government departments are seriously overstaffed. On top of that their refusal to execute the planned reforms means Kerala also a victim of brain drain, mostly to neighbouring bangalore and the gulf states. It's not all that rosie in Kerala, as a business owner the ease of doing business is non-existent, regulation after regulation and now i understand why so many have packed up and left for Bangalore. (which i plan to do now in the next 12 months, enough is enough).

The most staggering question as far as i am concerned is why Kerala is top 3 in unemployment in India, despite having full literacy? the answer lies in what i said above. Communism/Socialism is not all that good mate, the cons outweigh the good more than often.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_states_ranked_by_unemployment

Militant trade unionism is the economic history of Australia and helped creat one of the first expanded middle classes that included workers in the world. There's nothing wrong with workers advocating for better wages and conditions when they're educated and productive as equivalent workers in the West, the problem as you've outlined is the fluidity of capital now.

It's a shame they haven't been able to develop a tech industry. As I was saying above, it suits scale.

 

[Total Power]

Militant trade unionism is the economic history of Australia and helped creat one of the first expanded middle classes that included workers in the world. There's nothing wrong with workers advocating for better wages and conditions when they're educated and productive as equivalent workers in the West, the problem as you've outlined is the fluidity of capital now.

It's a shame they haven't been able to develop a tech industry. As I was saying above, it suits scale.

In a cultural context this doesn't work. Google what nokku kooli is in Malayalam. The workers demand exorbitant wages for working in simple jobs like carrying a load. They are often backed by political parties. Owners are often blackmailed or intimidated (speaking from experience). The highest court in Kerala have passed a judgement and called this hooliganism, but this is still backed by the politicians. I even had threats to kidnap me, beat me up, cause i don't wish to pay 3x/4x market rate.

For example, in some other regions of Kerala if you were to use machines to do a job traditionally done by labourers, you would have to pay the unions of these labourers a fee (nokku kooli) which almost translates- literally wages for being a spectator.


Keralas loss is Bangalore's gain. The ease of doing business there while remaining in the same geographical area is good for people, reduces cost of operating a business by 10% easily. (Mainly due to overregulation, but also cost of hiring people is cheaper)

The tech industry can never be developed there, their argument was computers will reduce the requirement for human labour, hence don't computerise in the 90's slogan did enough damage. Even now if you go to a government office in Kerala, they can barely use a ******* computer. When i requested a few documents for my business it took them 1 month to get to me cause their tech department was in Bangalore (how ironic). In the 90s they would hire 10 people for a job that 1 person can do with computers, again, welcome to communism. As i said Keralas loss is Bangalore's gain, look how great Bangalore is doing now. So many Aussies are even working there now!


This is no coincidence that Kerala have one of the highest unemployment rate in India.

 

[medusala]

Tough to respect anyone tasteless or clueless enough to display a turgid warmonger in their avatar. Tony Blair belongs behind bars or at the end of a rope.

Sacasm obviously lost on you Comrade. I am hardly a Blair fan.

 

[medusala]

Militant trade unionism is the economic history of Australia and helped creat one of the first expanded middle classes that included workers in the world.

What they did do was force the introduction of White Australia Policy.

Australia's union history has been one of unutterable shame.

 

[QuietB]

What they did do was force the introduction of White Australia Policy.

Australia's union history has been one of unutterable shame.

Sounds like you would be more than happy to move Australia Day

 

[medusala]

Sounds like you would be more than happy to move Australia Day

Australia Day has nothing to do with the union movement and for that we can all be grateful.

 

[medusala]

Like soldiers and cops.

Vastly different. They actually do something and cant strike. I believe that technically they arent public servants either.

Still great misdirection from your howler re Trump.

Self immolation.