No more social contract. ?

[elleng]

'In order for a society to function, there have to be rules that everyone adheres to. If no one follows the rules, then it really is every man for himself. And if we don’t stop glorifying the self as the ultimate–if we don’t stop treating citizens like criminals and patsies to be played and bilked at every turn–if we don’t reinvest our common government with the power to protect its people–then we’ll have no society.'

http://www.scholarsandrogues.com/2008/02/18/welcome-to-the-jungle-how-gotcha-capitalism-has-destroyed-the-american-social-contract/

[Postman]

1. Hasn't that already happened in our cities?

Aren't the inner cities of America basically armed camps? Every man for himself, not to be caught walking the streets after dark for fear of being mugged or raped?

[elleng]

7. Not really.

That's an 'easy' exageration (typical), which keeps us from making reasoned decisions.

There certainly are areas in certain inner cities which are dangerous, but this is an extreme overstatement.

[BeHereNow]

9. Where do you live?

Here in Los Angeles, we are one power blackout, water shortage
or disaster away from full on war fare.

People are getting really desperate here.
If we were to experience anything close to Katrina
here in this city, I shudder to think what would happen.

BHN

[elleng]

11. DC,

for 23 years.

We've not had similar disasters since I've been here; '68 + were really times of social disruption.

There certainly are difficult/risky parts of town, but we've missed the horribles.

[BeHereNow]

12. In LA, the "horribles" can not be missed.

Neighborhoods change within mere blocks here.
And the gap between the haves and the have nots
has never been more pronounced.
BHN

[Deja Q]

2. It already is.

[ixion]

3. The 'new and improved' social contract, according to our government:

we own your a**.

:(

[BeHereNow]

4. This fact is why I find the "carry a gun or not" post to be idiotic.

We are nano-seconds away from a total societal collapse.
The criminals are armed to the teeth and want to
survive just like every one else...

BHN

[patrice]

5. People need to be un-afraid of saying Society, "We/Us", has obligations to Individual Persons.

We're not supposed to say that, but what is the basis of any persons's relations with his/her
group(s)? . . . other than an economy that makes concrete, in behavior, what the group expects of the individual and what, in exchange, the individual requires of the group . . . the definition of their behavioral relationships in economic standards that identify one's, or a group's, basic unit of trade, work and what work is "worth", which is the basis of saying what the price of one's freely given cooperation and collaboration with the group's mores and customs in determining the "worth" of one's ( Xs n ) work and the price thereof.

[elleng]

10. I AM

my brother's and sister's keeper.

[patrice]

14. I'm actively resisting those who want "Us" to regard the obligations of the state to

the individual as "charity" or as "the last resort" for any worthwhile individual who should, if s/he's a real American, prefer the "independent" individual over the Group's mature behavioral responsibilities, which mature behaviors would include the economic definitions of responsibility roles, the worth(s) of work, and the price of m/y/our cooperation with all of the rules.

Sociality: What mature economic entity expects others to forget their own economic interests (which are more than just a paycheck, which paychecks aren't enough anymore, and quite un-reliable for many.

I guess it just comes down to how many individuals it takes to create a critical mass of a humanity that recognizes itself in itself. Who is/are living themselves by the Golden Rule, and speaking out constructively when asking that of others.

It is okay to be positive and support what they State owes its members. Socialism is not an obscenity. It isn't a sign of weakness of the individual, but of the strength of the economic relationships between people. Community & Identity.

[meow2u3]

6. That's how ancient Rome fell

Romans became too selfish, too greedy, too violent, too sexually self-indulgent, too hateful of their fellow human beings, etc., to sustain a society. While the Roman armies were busy conquering the then-known world, Roman civilians, especially those in high places, were gorging in every conceivable way while indifferent to the sufferings of others. A selfish, self-centered "society" eventually falls under its own weight.

The same went for the Communists. They fell under the weight of their belligerence, materialism, and hatred of the West. While soldiers were busy conquering the East, people were suffering under the oppressive hypocrisy of the State.

[elleng]

8. The Russian Communists fell

under the weight of their exhorbitant military budgets.

Same comes here, from fear fear fear> >>>>> Keep paying the Halliburtons etc.

[patrice]

16. People pay for their mcmansions and SUVS with War, Death and Destruction.

BushCheneyInc WANT those civilian mercenaries for PNAC 2.0. Also, they Vote and they support and are supported by their faux-Christic fascists, blindly obedient to daddy-god, politically active church cartels

[patrice]

15. Hypocrisy makes folks fundamentally Angry.

It's confusing and, hence, counter to survival-of-the-fittest, frustrating, and frequently painful, also anti-Golden Rule! and, thus, STUPID!

[genie_weenie]

13. I never signed any social contract, however

while I feel the Individual is the ultimate, I treat my fellow man with respect. Problems arise due to changes in human structure (I'm no longer surrounded by merely my extended tribal family, but by millions of one-time strangers). Complicating the destruction of moral altruism is the introduction of a byzantine, convoluted legal system which included religious dogma, moral preachings and laws designed to aid and protect the powerful.

[patrice]

17. ... protect the powerful.

They are the ones who don't want us to regard the obligations of the state to its members as something more than just charity, or the last resort for any "respectable" person. They are the ones that make it necessary to apologize for using the word "socialism" and to do penance if you say F - U - C - K.