Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

[Loren Pechtel]

In certain cases, yes. Our local metropolitan water system has been controlled by our city government since its inception. Our power is gotten to us from a corporation that must answer to a public utility board. Schools are public controlled. Certain insurances are provided by the government.

I am not talking about public schools and utilities. Although private schools exist as an alternative/competition. And for utilities, pipe infrastructure makes it a "natural monopoly" so it makes sense to have it run by municipal government. My water and sewer system is county, and you can tell by how badly the website is designed. Paying the water bill is an ordeal compared to the private company (which yes, is regulated by the state public service comission) that sells me electricity for example.

But I am talking more with the bulk of the overall economy. State-run grocery stores. State-run restaurants. State-run car factories. Etc.

Capitalism does not mean everything is private, just as socialism does not mean everything is public. It's about what the economy is dominated by.

Yup, two bills aren't automated. Dewer and property tax--the two that go to a government entity.

 

[bilby]

I've been in a lot of countries.

I've seen an awful lot more damage from Marxism than from capitalism.

Have you been to nineteenth century England?

Marxism is just more recent than unfettered capitalism. It's not worse, your personal experience has simply started too late for you to see the worst of both systems.

The inspiration for capitalism being reined in was the Communist revolutions and related unrest from about 1916 through to 1930, and the fear that it would become the norm around the world.

If you were travelling around between 1930 and the early 1990s, you missed the horrors of capitalism, and only saw the horrors of communism. That's not evidence that only one of them was horrific.

 

[scombrid]

19th Century USA wasn't too great. Look at how the NE capitalists operated in Appalachia in the late 19th and earth 20th for example.

 

[ZiprHead]

Ohio has state run liquor stores.

Wait what? If I were to guess where It would be, Columbus Ohio, but what?!?! What's the point? To make liquor more affordable? There is already a gang of cheap liquor out there.

Yup. Ohioans just call them the state store.

Here in Michigan my wife was assigned to get a liquor license for her employer. She literally came home in tears some days from the frustration of dealing with the Liquor Control Commission.

 

[TomC]

19th Century USA wasn't too great. Look at how the NE capitalists operated in Appalachia in the late 19th and earth 20th for example.

One needn't go that far back.
The Roaring 20s collapsed into the Great Depression. WWII pulled the USA out of that, then rampant socialism kept us out as we became a global superpower.

Eventually, "The Sole Remaining Superpower".

But that was then, and this is now. A new generation of super-rich are touting the God Ordained power of free markets.
Tom

 

[Gospel]

This popcorn tastes even better when seasoned with the remarks of those who discuss 19th and 20th century capitalism as if it's a relic of the past. It's as if they've forgotten an entire continent—Africa.

 

[TomC]

This popcorn tastes even better when seasoned with the remarks of those who discuss 19th and 20th century capitalism as if it's a relic of the past. It's as if they've forgotten an entire continent—Africa.

It's also kinda fun listening to a dude with a luxury car, living in DeSantisWorld, pontificating from their man cave with the 72" TV screen and ridiculously overpowered speakers, about Africa.

Unify Africa!
Tom

 

[Gospel]

This popcorn tastes even better when seasoned with the remarks of those who discuss 19th and 20th century capitalism as if it's a relic of the past. It's as if they've forgotten an entire continent—Africa.

It's also kinda fun listening to a dude with a luxury car, living in DeSantisWorld, pontificating from their man cave with the 72" TV screen and ridiculously overpowered speakers, about Africa.

Unify Africa!
Tom

So you agree that capitalism at it's worst is functioning just fine in Africa. That's all you really needed to say.

 

[TomC]

This popcorn tastes even better when seasoned with the remarks of those who discuss 19th and 20th century capitalism as if it's a relic of the past. It's as if they've forgotten an entire continent—Africa.

It's also kinda fun listening to a dude with a luxury car, living in DeSantisWorld, pontificating from their man cave with the 72" TV screen and ridiculously overpowered speakers, about Africa.

Unify Africa!
Tom

So you agree that capitalism at it's worst is functioning just fine in Africa. That's all you really needed to say.

OK
Tom

 

[bilby]

This popcorn tastes even better when seasoned with the remarks of those who discuss 19th and 20th century capitalism as if it's a relic of the past. It's as if they've forgotten an entire continent—Africa.

While there are small parts of Africa that likely do represent the horrors of unfettered capitalism, there are also large parts that do not; Africa is very large and very diverse, politically, economically, linguistically, theologically, and culturally.

Regardless, the legacy of myriad proxy wars between the Cold War adversaries, preceded by colonialism and followed by a kind of neo-colonialism; And the ongoing conflict between Christianity and Islam for control of the continent, has left Africa as a poor example of the horrors of any one system, and an excellent example of how easily horrors can be compounded upon earlier horrors, apparently without end.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

This popcorn tastes even better when seasoned with the remarks of those who discuss 19th and 20th century capitalism as if it's a relic of the past. It's as if they've forgotten an entire continent—Africa.

For the most part I don't think it's very relevant.

The thing is it's not really capitalism vs socialism/marxism. Rather, it's a three-way system, capitalism, socialism, kleptocracy. People tend to ignore this last one and assign whatever ills the state has to either capitalism or socialism. Africa's problem is a high level of kleptocracy. Not to mention quite a bit of religious violence.

 

[Gospel]

This popcorn tastes even better when seasoned with the remarks of those who discuss 19th and 20th century capitalism as if it's a relic of the past. It's as if they've forgotten an entire continent—Africa.

While there are small parts of Africa that likely do represent the horrors of unfettered capitalism, there are also large parts that do not; Africa is very large and very diverse, politically, economically, linguistically, theologically, and culturally.

Regardless, the legacy of myriad proxy wars between the Cold War adversaries, preceded by colonialism and followed by a kind of neo-colonialism; And the ongoing conflict between Christianity and Islam for control of the continent, has left Africa as a poor example of the horrors of any one system, and an excellent example of how easily horrors can be compounded upon earlier horrors, apparently without end.

Cool story bro. The tension between religious groups often arises from external capitalist forces aiming to exploit both sides for their benefit, particularly in pursuit of Africa's resources. It's evident that religious conflicts, poverty, political instability, and foreign interference predominantly point to a central issue: the majority of African nations, specifically those predominantly Black, are struggling for control over their own resources. Which countries are most egregiously exploiting African nations, particularly those with predominantly black populations, for their resources? This exploitation has roots in colonial times and continues today along with that rug it's been swept under.

 

[bilby]

This popcorn tastes even better when seasoned with the remarks of those who discuss 19th and 20th century capitalism as if it's a relic of the past. It's as if they've forgotten an entire continent—Africa.

While there are small parts of Africa that likely do represent the horrors of unfettered capitalism, there are also large parts that do not; Africa is very large and very diverse, politically, economically, linguistically, theologically, and culturally.

Regardless, the legacy of myriad proxy wars between the Cold War adversaries, preceded by colonialism and followed by a kind of neo-colonialism; And the ongoing conflict between Christianity and Islam for control of the continent, has left Africa as a poor example of the horrors of any one system, and an excellent example of how easily horrors can be compounded upon earlier horrors, apparently without end.

Cool story bro. The tension between religious groups often arises from external capitalist forces aiming to exploit both sides for their benefit, particularly in pursuit of Africa's resources. It's evident that religious conflicts, poverty, political instability, and foreign interference predominantly point to a central issue: the majority of African nations, specifically those predominantly Black, are struggling for control over their own resources. Which countries are most egregiously exploiting African nations, particularly those with predominantly black populations, for their resources? This exploitation has roots in colonial times and continues today along with that rug it's been swept under.

Sure. And it also often arises from external communist forces; Today, mostly from China. Of course, one can argue that China is communist in name only, and certainly their actions in Africa are indistinguishable from capitalist colonialist interventions.

I don't disagree with anything you're saying here (and nor does it disagree with what I said previously), but my point remains that Marx took his inspiration from the suffering of the British workers in the industrial cities of the nineteenth century, and that the economic causes of that suffering were very different from the causes of suffering in Africa today. These were mostly not people whose lands had been colonised; They were being exploited in other ways and by other means.

The British workers who Marx wanted to help weren't struggling for control of their resources or land (they had none); They were struggling for control of their labour, as were their contemporaries and counterparts across Europe.

That struggle was resolved in the East by revolution and the establishment of communism, which quickly collapsed into an authoritarianism that was little better than the pre-revolutionary situation. In the West, it was resolved by sub-revolutionary violence, that forced concessions from the capitalist class who feared further violence and possible revolution, and led to a mixed economic system with strong state ownership of infrastructure, and strong regulation of employers, alongside profit driven industry funded by capital investment.

The various problems in Africa are not the same as the problems faced by European workers in the nineteenth century, and while some of the solutions may prove to be similar, the focus of any solutions will be rather different, and (as you point out) will need to involve regulation of resources as well as of labour.

Nineteenth century European capitalism in the context of the industrial revolution is a relic of the past. We can learn from it, but we do the people who are struggling today a disservice if we declare that their problems, and the optimum solutions, are necessarily the same. Africa isn't just "Europe, only a hundred and fifty years behind".

 

[Gospel]

I'll reply with some hot ass bars for bilby. If this is not appropriate report me.


Yo yo!
streets 19th Cent Europe, workers' cry loud,
heat of capitalism, break free proud.
down the sea & Africa’s expanse,
Colonial powers dueled dangers dance.
Razing land & all else they can find,
Open scars, pain & chaos left behind.
game's ablaze with new players & rules few claim
cruelty aint the same tune today

Chorus
From Europe's factories to Africa's mines,
Crime after crime, always in it's prime
in every mind futures' blind
Events lost to new signs
Dignity, rights, gone in every timeline.

Yo yo,
China stepped in, a brand-new plan,
Designed a new old exploit caravan.
West did it, history classes fail to show
Today China is a Colonial shadow.
African nations, each a unique tale,
Not just one story, a mosaic grand scale.
Understand, the pain, the price,
For every resource, the human sacrifice.

Bridge
Universal struggle, a song we all sing,
For justice, rights, and the freedom it brings.
Control of labor, control of land,
At the heart, it’s about taking a stand.

Chorus
From Europe's factories to Africa's mines,
Crime after crime, always in it's prime
in every mind futures' blind
Events lost to new signs
Dignity, rights, gone in every timeline.

Outro
here's the message, loud and clear,
Remember the past, as the future it steers
Every region, every voice, a unique song sung,
So we may claim tomorrow, the justice we brung.
(melody fades)

 

[bilby]

I'll reply with some hot ass bars for bilby.

I'm not entirely sure what an ass bar is, but must admit to being slightly alarmed about your heating them for me...

 

[Loren Pechtel]

Cool story bro. The tension between religious groups often arises from external capitalist forces aiming to exploit both sides for their benefit, particularly in pursuit of Africa's resources. It's evident that religious conflicts, poverty, political instability, and foreign interference predominantly point to a central issue: the majority of African nations, specifically those predominantly Black, are struggling for control over their own resources. Which countries are most egregiously exploiting African nations, particularly those with predominantly black populations, for their resources? This exploitation has roots in colonial times and continues today along with that rug it's been swept under.

What you're missing is that it's not the people struggling for control, but simply various flavors of oppressors.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

Sure. And it also often arises from external communist forces; Today, mostly from China. Of course, one can argue that China is communist in name only, and certainly their actions in Africa are indistinguishable from capitalist colonialist interventions.

Agreed--China is in many ways worse than the colonial powers. And it's external policies are not one bit communist.

That struggle was resolved in the East by revolution and the establishment of communism, which quickly collapsed into an authoritarianism that was little better than the pre-revolutionary situation. In the West, it was resolved by sub-revolutionary violence, that forced concessions from the capitalist class who feared further violence and possible revolution, and led to a mixed economic system with strong state ownership of infrastructure, and strong regulation of employers, alongside profit driven industry funded by capital investment.

Collapsed into authoritarianism?? I don't think it was a shift at all, but rather a false flag route to power.

 

[bilby]

Collapsed into authoritarianism?? I don't think it was a shift at all, but rather a false flag route to power.

There were plenty of revolutionaries who honestly wanted the best for the people, and who believed that authoritarianism wasn't the right way to get it.

They got completely buried by the authoritarians, but they certainly existed.

 

[lpetrich]

AOC and Sunscreens for one's Skin - with Charlotte Palermino, a "licensed esthetician"

US sunscreens are far behind the rest of the world and our regulations aren’t necessarily making our sunscreens better or safer — but it doesn’t have to be this way!

Contact your member of Congress, especially if your member of Congress sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee they have jurisdiction over the FDA.

Ask them to:

1. break through some of the regulatory barriers at the FDA

2. fund public research so that we can all enjoy the filters that develop out of the scientific process.

Contact info:
congress.gov/members/ind-your-member

US Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Energy + Commerce committee list: http://energycommerce.house.gov/representatives

Noting
Here's Why Korean Sunscreens Are Better Than Western Ones | Allure -- AOC visited South Korea earlier this year and found out about Korean sunscreens there
and
Why European and Asian Sunscreens Are Better Than in the US

• European and Asian sunscreens boast stronger and smoother formulas than sunscreens found in the US.
• That's because the FDA is slower to approve new UV filters compared to other countries.
• You can buy international sunscreens and get them shipped to the US, or ask a friend to bring it back from a trip.

Regulating them like medicines rather than like cosmetics.

 

[lpetrich]

A.O.C. Thinks the U.S. Deserves Better Sunscreen - The New York Times

U.S. Sunscreen Is Stuck in the ’90s. Is This a Job for Congress?

For years, American consumers have had to look abroad if they want the latest in sunscreen innovations. Some, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, think it’s time to revisit F.D.A. approval procedures.

...
Hoping to avoid the white cast, heaviness and greasiness common in many sunscreen products available in U.S. drugstores, some Americans, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, have taken matters into their own hands, opting for sunscreens manufactured abroad. In a recent interview, the congresswoman said she toggled between Bioré in the summer and Beauty of Joseon in the winter — two Asian brands that employ active ingredients not approved for use in the United States.

“The technology is very sophisticated,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said. “You don’t feel like you have a layer of sunscreen on, and it kind of just feels like you’re putting on a moisturizer in that sense, which makes it easier to use.”

...
Currently there are 14 sunscreen filters approved for use by the F.D.A. The European Union employs more than 30.

Nevertheless,

“I also think it’s very important that we maintain a level of rigor around safety,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said. “We want to make sure this is not about advocating for the deregulation of these filters.”

Then noting S.2141 - 113th Congress (2013-2014): Sunscreen Innovation Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress - "The legislation gave the F.D.A. five years to approve or deny the use of new sunscreen ingredients, including several that had been under review since 2002."

“It just doesn’t seem that this issue has risen to a level of awareness in Congress that creates the political momentum necessary to make things a priority,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said. “What I’m very excited about is that it does seem like there is a growing awareness among everyday people about this issue.”

Then noting influencers trying on various sunscreens.

“That, I think, is also creating a certain political and popular and cultural momentum that’s necessary for us to actually make changes around these things,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said.

“I don’t think this is a left or right flashpoint,” she added. “I think this is something that all people need.”