sharing music..

ok, to get back on topic...

I'm getting sick and tired of record labels etc. etc. blaming everything on illegal downloading. There are twenty researches showing that downloading harms the record industry and another twenty showing that downloading doesn't harm the record industry.

My opinion on this is that the cd perhaps is just getting outdated, with all the new mp3 gadgets etc. why would one by cd's!? It's so much easier to download a few songs. Another valid point is that everyone probably has around 100 cd's laying around at home and just doesn't feel for getting more cd's because of a lack of storage room. Why not just listen to the old and forgotten cd's instead?

Perhaps that people buy less cd's because music dvd's give you way more value for money anyway, for a few bucks more you get interviews, clips, etc. etc.
I think that cd's just are too expensive for what you get.

How many of you haven't listened to a few mp3s and then finding out that the music is really good and then buy an album of that artist?

BAH.

[/rant off]

They're not after all of your precious dollars, just a percentage -- that also works as a safetynet for you if your plans go wrong.

Yes, and what's wrong with giving that percentage to a PRIVATE company? That way you know you're covered, and you know that you aren't paying for anyone else.

Good god, we really do come from totally different worlds. I'm more than happy paying my share of taxes. My share of taxes are now helping my father with leukemia and soon to be operated for his heart.

I'm sorry about your father, but private companies would be helping just as much. Here in America, private insurance companies cover about 90% of your medical costs. Yes, it is a bit more expensive for the individual, but the advantages are that:

1) If you are healthy, you aren't forced to pay for those who aren't. It may seem cruel, but the government shouldn't force people to jointly pay, as a nation, for everyone's health. The same can be said concerning welfare, which i am opposed to - it's forced charity.

2) It stimulates the economy through job growth and competitive pricing. Insurance companies are opening all the time, and they must keep their prices competitive. Also, they must hire staff, etc.

IM NOT HELPING ANYONE ME ME ME NEW CARS".

Well, it's good to know that i'm being mocked for wanting to keep the money i earned...

The way you're thinking, everyone should be rich.

What gives you that idea? I just think the government should play a minimal role in society. That is the basic economic rightist principle (Myself, pank, and matt_boy are on the right, economically).

As for schools, our "COMMIE OMG SOCIALISTZ" - system provides free education. You think that's a bad idea too?

Actually, and i think Pank and any other resident Libertarians would agree, education should be privatized. For those that cannot afford schooling, the government will issue vouchers. This was the parent can choose which school they think is best for their child, more jobs open up, competitive pricing, etc, etc.

On a side note, it's good talking to you again, Paavo. Always a healthy debate.

Nos.

i am young, and im not american, im not trying to start anything. I like being Canadian. Our health care system works for us. There are downsides and upsides but when i boils down to it i would rather pay some taxes and have my future family healthy and be sure that we can handle anything. The thing i am concerned about is that canada is losing our health care because lack of people. You are talking about competitiv pricing and that is exactly what is killing our health care system. The Province i live in now is in a serious nursing shortage. I dont know about american political parties and what not, and probably should not have made this post when i dont know anything, but i just wanted to say that im proud to be canadian, i like to be canadian with our health care. I pose a question to those who are opposed to helping others a little bit with your money. I understand that everyone needs money, but try putting yourself in the situation of someone who just got laid off by the exact type of people you are talking about. Someone who wanted to keep their money, think about how far you would take your values if you were in their situation

You're saying, that falling into poverty / getting sick without affording it -- is the person's own fault

Yes. Should have gotten a better job. Hell, even the worst jobs in the U.S. have some great health insurance. The people who don't have health insurance are the ones who chose not to have it (me included, and because my company doesn't offer it).

As for schools, our "COMMIE OMG SOCIALISTZ" - system provides free education. You think that's a bad idea too?

Yes, I went to public school, I realize the value of public schools, as little as that value may be. I think school should be privatized also. The exact answer for how to accomplish that I don't know, but I know that a public system isn't the right answer either.

...And I don't fall for the "what if you get laid off" argument. My reply is this: You should haved made yourself irreplaceable. Think about what you want to do before you do it, don't get a job where you can be replaced by a robot, or if in doubt, get a degree in robotics so that when you are replaced, you can repair the robots when they break. Again, I don't think anyone deserves anything from anyone else, including the government, just because they live in a certain country.

[QUOTE=mattboy_slim]The people who don't have health insurance are the ones who chose not to have it (me included, and because my company doesn't offer it).[/QUOTE]

Just wondering, if you or your wife (I think you are married) develop a serious condition tomorrow which requires a very, very large sum of money, how will you deal with it? Do you go and find a better paying job now that you are sick? Or would mom and dad kick in to help you out?

I'm serious here. How will you handle it? Straight answer please, no running around. You and Nos are very black and white, or at least thats how it appears to me, so I'm curious.

Nostalgia: Do you live on your own or with your parents? I'm curious how many years you have been self sufficient and have had to deal with every day problems that life throws at you. Not that living under your parents roof discredits your opinions, but it is curious how strong they are considering you're still a teenager.

[QUOTE=mattboy_slim]I think if you didn't invest your money smart enough you should suffer the penalties rather than expect every single citizen in the country to chip in and pay your bills for you.[/QUOTE]
What about people who had no money to begin with? Have you ever been the projects in New York City? People don't have the education nor the money I'm sure you've had. I am all for socialized medicine, the poor are left to get sick and die. Not everyone has a doctor to go to when they get sick nor does the hospital offer much in terms of long term care when you have no money.

[QUOTE=Telemakhos]What about people who had no money to begin with? Have you ever been the projects in New York City? People don't have the education nor the money I'm sure you've had. I am all for socialized medicine, the poor are left to get sick and die. Not everyone has a doctor to go to when they get sick nor does the hospital offer much in terms of long term care when you have no money.[/QUOTE]

I was going to comment on this as well. I’d say it’s the same here in S.F too. I see this evey single day.

Nostalgia: Do you live on your own or with your parents? I'm curious how many years you have been self sufficient and have had to deal with every day problems that life throws at you. Not that living under your parents roof discredits your opinions, but it is curious how strong they are considering you're still a teenager.

I am still living in my parents home (I'm 17), and i'll be leaving to attend Colorado State University in afew months - they are paying for tuition, rooming, etc. I realize that my views are a bit strong for being so young, and i'm sure that several opinions of mine will change, come self-sufficiency. I doubt, though, that my underlining principle will be one of those things - that the government should play a minimal role in society.

Nos.

I set this whole topic off track with my medicine comment. Haha. Has anyone read the thread title and first post recently? Make a new thread or something.

It's called topic progression.