Does the goverment have rights to penalis those it - Page 5

"the rate of growth and consumption is rapidly depleting the supply which is the death nails for our type of society.Our greatest threat is our own gluttony, a byproduct of our economic system."
Its because of capitalism that when oil supplies DO start dwindling, supply and demand will make sure things are alright.
Demand may remain the same at first, but supply will fall increasing prices, decreasing consumption and prompting us to research into alternative energy sources.
Capitalism is crushingly superior militarily, economically and socially to all other economic systems that have arisen (running the gamut from communism, socialism and protectionism).
I don't see a viable alternative just yet (especially as the rise of Japan, Germany, USA and recently China all have their roots in embracing free market capitalism).

I tend to disagree with certain concepts, Asian culture provided systems of transportation (rail, etc) IN these cultures the primary form of local transport was walking or bicycles. Which form a healthier society is general (producing less hydrocarbon emissions while giving workers healthy exercise) reducing their dependancy upon oil. Some Nippon corporations had morning work outs as part of (beginning) the shift.They also instilled a family atmosphere by giving attention to employee personal needs. (company halls were used for wedding receptions, etc)

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Its because of capitalism that when oil supplies DO start dwindling, supply and demand will make sure things are alright.

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Doesn't the past & current conflicts over oil reserves (?) disprove that theory?
I wonder if Saddem's setting fire to the oil wells or our present 'War against Terrorism' has wasted more oil?
Also note the question mark after oil reserves!

" Doesn't the past & current conflicts over oil reserves (?) disprove that theory?
I wonder if Saddem's setting fire to the oil wells or our present 'War against Terrorism' has wasted more oil? "
The idea is that it is sometimes better to forestall the inevitable disappearance of oil by whatever means, then to completely overhaul your society's energy production and transport.
Its when humans artificially obstruct the production of oil that this becomes necessary.

Ah . . . I see, so it is better to abuse (misuse) what oil we have now to fulfill our desires for material wealth because they will run out anyway. After all, what should we care if our (children) future generations do without, we can go back to horse and buggies! Living like those Amish people now or late, well hell ya, I mean I know I won't be around then so what to hell, why not?

cturtle, its going to run out, there's no difference between 'misusing' it now or misusing it later.
When there is demand for alternative energy (read : when oil prices go up) there will be corporations who will fill that demand. Then we will start using nuclear, hydroelectric and maybe even solar energy extensively.
If you don't like the way people are using their oil, well tough its their money. If you think oil consumption is a problem, don't say that its the fault of capitalism, capitalism gives people the freedom to choose.
Now you might disagree with their choice, and try to convince them to do otherwise, but don't attack the system which gives us the freedom to use our wealth.

"When there is demand for alternative energy (read : when oil prices go up) there will be corporations who will fill that demand."

Dont bet on it until ALL the oil is gone, the oil giants will just buy out anyone who produces alternative energy for a car. Its already happening as we speak... all because of the government!!!
Doom to all governments!!

Short or long? but True.
Went up North to Chicago more than a few years ago, on the return trip we had more time so we stop to see the sights in a small southern town. The biggest attraction was a tour of a cave through which an underground river ran. Our guide a local youth showed us around the cave, telling us this tale.
About the turn of century, the local doctor had installed a pump & water lines to supply the residence of the town.
Time past and the demand grew to surpass the supply so it came that the town leaders decided to invest with the county to build a water treatment plant on the nearby river. So the fund were expended and lines ran and the plant built, so the the old system fell into disuse. So as with the water supply, the people found their waste treatment plant did not suffice and the wisdom of their leaders showed itself. They though of a temperary expedient, they dump their excesive waste into the cave as the underground river would wash it away.
Now, their water plant lies about 3 miles North from the cave but the river ran from South to North and enter into the river about 6 miles from there.
Of course they didn't know it at the time, only realizing it after they had poluted their water system (along with the rest of the county's too) So they had the expense of cleaning the contamination from their water lines, plus having to buy their water from others supply. Now that was a few years ago but then how do you decontaminate the aquafer? I mean it isn't like replacing the cartriage in your water filter or back flushing the sand filter to your pool, is it.
Do ya know the old saying, 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket' or maybe it was 'Don't count your chickens till the eggs hatch'?