We need to do better

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Don Kiyoti wrote:
The whole benevolent dictator idea looks good on paper

I agree. And the same thing can be said for Libertarianism, which, like Communism, must defy basic human nature to work. The notion that business leaders will do the right thing through "enlightened self-interest" may come true in certain cases, but overall is a fantasy. And Communist leaders will be corrupt. Greed is a powerful motivator.

It's just the one that is the least screwed up so far.

I'm not convinced of this any more. I think that as a nation, we are pretty much irreparably screwed. It's going to be a rough ride.

although communism is probably the best theoretical system - it instantly breaks down since it hold too many humans to unhuman expectations.

"enlightened self-interest" has worked the best, but is terribly broken now. The capitalist have simply become too good at the self interest thing. They now can mopve far faster than regulators. By the time regulations are in place, the horses are outta the barn and are 100s of miles away. Think Enron... S&L Crisis... very smart, very rich guys can do pretty much anything they want these days...

I compare MY benevolent dictator to Lincoln - he pretty much ran the show by himself for a couple of years. Nearly locked up the Supreme Court Chief because of all the roadblocks the court put up. Congress was a mess obviously.

Of COURSE it's fantasy... if we ever get a dictator in place, he won't be benevolent...