is it true you're old BOG? (true curiosity, no offense intended)

Jamie "So you do *not* believe that some people are better than others *in totality*"
No. How can you compare Mother Theresa, Bill Gates, and Ronaldo? Mother Theresa will have a better place in Heaven, I'm sure. Bill Gates transformed business. Just think of business without Excel and Word. Ronaldo entertains us. I appreciate the diversity of humanity.

Princ -"is it true you're old BOG? (true curiosity, no offense intended)" Yes. I am 60. Playing Diplomacy for over 40 years.

TrP Monopolization was my topic. " You missed my point. I was making the distinction between a natural monopoly and a monopoly. Natural monopoly's drive down costs to consumers

Any opinion on what I was trying to get at, then?

Also, not a Marxist. Thanks for the name-calling, though.

TrP. Trying hard here. I am against monopolies. Natural Monopolies are different. Marxists love all monopolies, when they control them.

TrP - You wrote "Competition drives prices down. Monopoly is tied to lack of competition. Are you incredibly stoned?" Thanks for the name calling.

A Natural monopoly drives down average costs. There are very few natural monopolies. Free markets, not socialist structures, create real wealth and promote individual freedom.

TrP " but in a laissez-faire society this becomes increasingly less possible, because monopolies will form and land themselves as an aristocracy. Monopolies seize and enslave the invisible hand of the market, making it visible for them that they may slap down any competition that tries to rear its head. Now, the laissez-faire system is marked by its lack of government regulations or involvement in economic endeavors, and so it is government that must reestablish this social mobility, by logic."

You say you are not a Marxist, but you hate free markets.

It's not a binary dichotomy. And Marxism is relatively anarchic.

TrP "It's not a binary dichotomy."

Well, yes it is. Government control vs Liberty.

Everything is in a spectrum of some form.

For fuck's sake.

If "Government Control vs Liberty" were an entirely binary question, then the existence of Government in any form whatsoever would mean no Liberty of any kind. This is clearly not the case.

"There is no right to health. People are free to eat sugar and grains"

this has to be my personal favourite.

there is no right to bear arms. people are free not to have any.

Jamie "If "Government Control vs Liberty" were an entirely binary question, then the existence of Government in any form whatsoever would mean no Liberty of any kind. "
Not at all. People, exercising their liberty, 'hires' government to perform certain tasks. Government enslaves people, and their minds.

Kas "this has to be my personal favourite." You are clueless. Sugar and grains are a death walk. You are free to take that walk.

haha, you have got to be kidding me. let me explain word by word:

right to health does not mean you are forbidden to eat sugar and grains. period.

or maybe this works:

what do you think "right to health" implies?

You are in charge of your health. You can eliminate grains, sugar and alcohol. Live a long healthy life. Or you can eat sugar and carbs, become obese, and then ask me to pay for your treatment.

Right to health means doing those things that keep you healthy.

That's just being in charge of your diet. What if you get cancer?

Don't smoke, avoid processed foods, sugar and grains, and you most likely will not get cancer. But what does cancer have to do with health? Are you talking about medical treatment?

"But what does cancer have to do with health?"

okay, forget what i've said before. this is my new favourite.

Also to avoid cancer: Don't have friends that smoke. And don't go outside either, the UV rays of the sun can really get you. No sex. Probably just don't breathe at all. Don't permanently dye your hair. Sure am glad no one can work with excess amounts of asbestos.

@baldoldguy: out of interest: what should the ideal government do?

"But what does cancer have to do with health?"

Um. What? Just, what the actual fuck? I cannot even.

CANCER IS A DISEASE. DISEASES ARE A FUNDAMENTAL HEALTH ISSUE, YOU DRIBBLING FREAK.

I am now certain beyond all doubt that BOG is either a troll or someone with serious cognitive issues.

"Don't smoke, avoid processed foods, sugar and grains, and you most likely will not get cancer."

LOL, what r u smoking?

ss - ""Don't smoke, avoid processed foods, sugar and grains, and you most likely will not get cancer." I'm 6'2. 175. 32 inch waist. resting heart rate of 57. Can bench press 230. Play racquetball every day. Can go 7 hours with my 35 yr old lover. Blood Pressure is 111/76. Not bad for a 60 yr old guy. Sugar and grains, processed food will kill you. Cheers! Enjoy your cancer.