A New Kind of Government

[Pundit]

I've never been interested in politics, government types, or even world events very much. However, I've recently been thinking about how efficient the free market is and what effect monopolies, oligopolies, and government price fixing has on our economy. Also, I've been wondering if privitization of certain government sectors is good or bad for society. Once they become private, who's to stop them from price gouging?

So, I started thinking about how I think the government should work. I decided that federal governments should run all essential companies (like water, electricity, petroleum, police/fire dept., etc) and none of the employees should be allowed to strike in these areas. In addition, the government should be producing non-essential goods (like food, clothing, automobiles, furniture, software, etc.) and sell it at cost so that everyone has the option of buying something cheap if they want to. This way, nobody in a certain sector would be able to get together and fix prices; there will always be an alternative.

Let me know what--if anything--is wrong with this model. I don't really have a good grasp on how the economy really works, so fill me in if you can. Lastly, if you have any ideas on how you thing you can make the government better, post your ideas!

 

[Sir Fredrick]

Unfortunately, 99% of the time, the government is far less efficient, so if the US government sold an automobile "at cost" it would be more expensive than what you could get from Ford or Chevy.
Furthermore, there would be no driving force pushing them to make the cars of high quality or to sell them, so it's entirely possible that a government car dealer would consistently lose money.

 

[glenn1]

<< Let me know what--if anything--is wrong with this model. >>



Only one problem i can see... what you suggest has already been tried. It even has a name. It's called "communism," and it was a horrible failure.

 

[rahvin]

I'd rather have people in china make my clothes. I've found they work dirt cheap and produce reasonable quality goods cheaply.

Government should only be involved in industries that the private sector cannot succeed in. These include sewage, water and roads. Things like snow removal on the highways are simply business that don't work in the private sector. Only those public needs that can't work as a private company should be government run.

 

[Random Variable]

<<

<< Let me know what--if anything--is wrong with this model. >>



Only one problem i can see... what you suggest has already been tried. It even has a name. It's called "communism," and it was a horrible failure. >>


In a true communist state (which has never existed) the people own all of the means of production. And there is no central government.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Pundit, you need to pay closer attention in class. Your political model is called communism. It has been tried and it has failed, although there are still a few countries in their last gasps trying to perpetuate that failed model.

Capitalism, while not perfect, is the best economic system yet to be devised. Free enterprise gives all people at least a hope of "making it".

 

[Random Variable]

According to Marx, democractic states will eventually evolve into communist states (although I myself don't belief that). And he would probably say that the reason the Soviet Union failed so miserably was because Lenin tried foolishly to force the system on his people.

 

[Random Variable]

<< Pundit, you need to pay closer attention in class. Your political model is called communism. It has been tried and it has failed, although there are still a few countries in their last gasps trying to perpetuate that failed model. >>


He's not describing communism.

EDIT: There is no central government in a communist state.

 

[Martin]

<< According to Marx, democractic states will eventually evolve into communist states (although I myself don't belief that). And he would probalby say that the reason the Soviet Union failed so miserably was because Lenin tried foolishly to force the system on his people. >>



Lenin wasn't alive long enough to bring about his vision of communism. After all, he died just two years after the civil war ended.

Trotsky, who was the real communist, got an axe in the head courtesy of Stalin. What the soviet union because was simply a totalitarian state.



I think everyone should read Animal Farm. Its a very good portrail of what happened there. There was a man with a good idea, but over time, people forgot that idea and reverted back to what they knew best, while claiming to be true to the idea.
Great Book.

 

[Pundit]

<<

<< Pundit, you need to pay closer attention in class. Your political model is called communism. It has been tried and it has failed, although there are still a few countries in their last gasps trying to perpetuate that failed model. >>


He's not describing communism.

EDIT: There is no central government in a communist state. >>


Thank you! I'm saying keep the same government we have now, except have it produce goods at cost. In other words, have a branch that is a not-for-profit organization that caters to the not-so-rich citizens. Communism doesn't allow for a free market economy IIRC.

 

[apoppin]

If we have learned anything from history, all forms of governments will eventually fail.

 

[Random Variable]

<< Lenin wasn't alive long enough to bring about his vision of communism. After all, he died just two years after the civil war ended. >>



You're missing the point. Marx said that communism evolves from capitalism/democracy. It's a completely natural process. Lenin had the whole thing backwards.

 

[Random Variable]

Marx didn't abhor capitalism as some people think he did. He just thought that there were inherent contradictions in the system.