On Fri, 09 Jan 2004 17:58:52 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"Dave Hall" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 09 Jan 2004 15:24:01 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"Dave Hall" wrote in message
.. .

1) You have a short memory. We've discussed this. You are not
permitted
to
use the word "socialism" unless you understand it. You do not
understand
it.
If you disagree with me, please explain socialism and how it applies
to
this
discussion.

I could give you the dictionary definition or the practical one. Which
one do you want? In either case, a system which artificially relocates
wealth from those who work for it to those who don't, is blatantly
unfair to those who work hard. It also promotes a sense of mediocrity,
as it remove incentives to better oneself. If one can make a living
wage as a street sweeper, why take on the additional responsibility
and stress of being a rocket scientist or CEO, if the rewards are not
that much greater?

You are not aware of anyone suggesting that the street sweeper should be
paid like a neurosurgeon. If you THINK you're aware of someone saying
such
things, you have erroneously focused your attention on an idiot.

Then you have no problem with the wages paid to Wal-Mart employees?

Interesting question. (I'm flattering you). Why do you ask? Is your
imaginary friend saying they should be paid the same as neurosurgeons?


I find it interesting because not that long ago, you guys on the left
were lambasting Wal-Mart for paying "slave wages" to its employees,
even though those people were free to leave and look elsewhere. You
have jumped in on the "exploitation" bandwagon, and have dismissed the
principles of the free market concepts of supply and demand setting
the wage scales, and opinione that those wages should be increased to
some level higher. But never once explaining how you were going to
justify this increase to those higher skill levels who would be no
better off than the "new" Wal-Mart wage scale. The comparison of one
example of each end of the skill range, makes this argument sound
somewhat absurd, but the principles are the same.

Socialism attempts to "compress" or limit the range of wages that
exist for the different skill levels. So no, a street sweeper will not
be paid the same as a neurosurgeon. But the difference would ne be
nearly as great as it is now. At some point people will question the
work needed to make that higher wage, and the responsibility that goes
with it, if the reward is not much better.

Now, you are suggesting that you agree with the free market inspired
wage scales as they apply to different skill levels?

Dave