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The cost is socialized but the gains are not.

by maym86 8y ago

donkeyd 8y ago
I can't say that I fully agree with that. The Amazon store and AWS have made a lot of stuff possible that otherwise might not have been possible. AWS for example gives out free services to startups, some of which might have major impact on many lives. Sure, I'm playing the devil's advocate here, but in the end it's also really hard to define what is 'good spending' on tax dollars. For all we know, Amazon venturing into health care will end up being a great substitute for socialized health care. It could become Bezos' ultimate philanthropy. It could also be what gives him super villain-like power over the US.
- knuththetruth 8y ago
  >Sure, I'm playing the devil's advocate here, but in the end it's also really hard to define what is 'good spending' on tax dollars. Most social services in developed European countries that allow people to be better off and not squeezed and abused by companies like Amazon? Healthcare, transportation, public housing, higher education? Literally almost anything besides what is spent on the USA’s unwinnable, forever wars? It’s not hard as soon as you set aside American Exceptionalism as having any legitimacy.
  - frockington 8y ago
    What about America as a culture, economy or military is unexceptional. People all over the world wear blue jeans, trade on the NYSE, have iPhones and Androids and are protected by the United States. I don't think American Exceptionalism is not legitimate. Some countries may have more welfare but I don't think anyone in America is trying to claim otherwise
    - knuththetruth 8y ago
      >Some countries may have more welfare but I don't think anyone in America is trying to claim otherwise Actually, this is the party line of the right-wing in the US. It's not more, it's less, because...freedom? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/fox-news-host-ridiculed-for-comparing-denmark-to-venezuela-a8495686.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politic...

The cost is socialized but the gains are not.

by maym86 8y ago

The cost is socialized but the gains are not.

I can't say that I fully agree with that. The Amazon store and AWS have made a lot of stuff possible that otherwise might not have been possible. AWS for example gives out free services to startups, some of which might have major impact on many lives. Sure, I'm playing the devil's advocate here, but in the end it's also really hard to define what is 'good spending' on tax dollars. For all we know, Amazon venturing into health care will end up being a great substitute for socialized health care. It could become Bezos' ultimate philanthropy. It could also be what gives him super villain-like power over the US.

knuththetruth 8y ago
>Sure, I'm playing the devil's advocate here, but in the end it's also really hard to define what is 'good spending' on tax dollars. Most social services in developed European countries that allow people to be better off and not squeezed and abused by companies like Amazon? Healthcare, transportation, public housing, higher education? Literally almost anything besides what is spent on the USA’s unwinnable, forever wars? It’s not hard as soon as you set aside American Exceptionalism as having any legitimacy.
- frockington 8y ago
  What about America as a culture, economy or military is unexceptional. People all over the world wear blue jeans, trade on the NYSE, have iPhones and Androids and are protected by the United States. I don't think American Exceptionalism is not legitimate. Some countries may have more welfare but I don't think anyone in America is trying to claim otherwise
  - knuththetruth 8y ago
    >Some countries may have more welfare but I don't think anyone in America is trying to claim otherwise Actually, this is the party line of the right-wing in the US. It's not more, it's less, because...freedom? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/fox-news-host-ridiculed-for-comparing-denmark-to-venezuela-a8495686.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politic...