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#52
10-21-2005, 11:57 AM
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Re: Do We Work Too Hard?
I have travelled extensively across Eastern Europe and I agree that people are lazier at their jobs. It is obviously a result of the former communist environment where good work and independance were not rewarded.
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#54
10-21-2005, 12:04 PM
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Re: Do We Work Too Hard?
"I guess it depends on who's definition of "worked great" you're using. Just because *you* find a particular government agreeable doesn't mean everyone else does."
That's true, and naturally I will try to push this type of government on the people because I deem it to be the best. Now what would a state that does not enforce any type of opinion do to me?
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#55
10-21-2005, 01:58 PM
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Re: Do We Work Too Hard?
[ QUOTE ]
"since when was it a good idea for economics to be tied to religion?" This is inevitable unless economics is your religion, as vulturerow mentioned. [/ QUOTE ] Really... Well...I'm as strident a supporter of capitalism and the free market as I can be, and yet, I make a post like this one(the OP), where I am drawing a clear separation between my economics and my religion...since my religion tends to accentuate the virtue of giving, poverty, and not being rich, and my economics do the opposite. Am I conflicted? Sometimes...yes. But I think all of us are like that, given the fact that we go with our heads and our hearts(or id and superego, if you like). What it boils down to is that I believe that there is a difference between what is good for me, and what is good for others on the whole. I don't believe that because you CAN do something, it means that you SHOULD do that. Therein lies an essential conflict. But, I prefer to give people the option, as long as it does not affect my freedoms, and my choices.
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#56
10-21-2005, 02:57 PM
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Re: Do We Work Too Hard?
[ QUOTE ]
"since when was it a good idea for economics to be tied to religion?" This is inevitable unless economics is your religion, as vulturerow mentioned. [/ QUOTE ] Huh? Please explain.
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#57
10-21-2005, 02:57 PM
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Re: Do We Work Too Hard?
[ QUOTE ]
"I guess it depends on who's definition of "worked great" you're using. Just because *you* find a particular government agreeable doesn't mean everyone else does." That's true, and naturally I will try to push this type of government on the people because I deem it to be the best. [/ QUOTE ] Ok, now at least we're clear that you believe you know what's best for people, and don't trust them with freedom to make their own decisions. [ QUOTE ] Now what would a state that does not enforce any type of opinion do to me? [/ QUOTE ] I don't understand this question. Are you bewildered by the concept of freedom (i.e. you can't imagine a world without an overlord telling you what to do)?
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#59
10-21-2005, 06:40 PM
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Re: Do We Work Too Hard?
I assume that this post is directed towards USA citizens of which I am one. After 25 years in the banking industry I can promise you that I work less hard with each passing day for more money.
If you want to see people working hard look at any street corner where immigrant laborers gather waiting for the contractors to come by to pick up workers for the day. These gentlemen bust their collective asses far more than most of the American workforce for much less money. Or, consider the self-employed small business owner that spends almost every waking hour in a venture where the odds are that they will fail. Not only do they work hard but they have the added pressure of potential financial ruin. With that said I think we work as hard as we choose to which, in most cases, is not too hard.
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#60
10-21-2005, 07:23 PM
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Re: Do We Work Too Hard?
[ QUOTE ]
It is obviously a result of the former communist environment where good work and independance were not rewarded. [/ QUOTE ] That certainly contributed to it significantly but in the case of Hungary at least (can't speak for other countries), there is a 500+ year history of always being ruled by outsiders. The people have gotten used to the "mouse" role in the cat and mouse game and so there is a culture of pretending to work to satisfy the rulers while cleverly wiggling out free time for themselves. It's so deeply ingrained in the people that they are not even aware of it. In contrast, America knows that it must work hard to maintain its "cat" role and (most of) the citizens can identify with the collective objective. That provides the motivation. There is no identification with collective goals over here, and it's not just because of communism. It's a 500-600 year-old continuous story.
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