Genius | Song Lyrics & Knowledge

Replace ‘the rich’ with ‘Hispanics’ or ‘women’ or ‘Jews’ in that sentence, and ask yourself: isn’t this precisely the sort of prejudice we object to when it is targeted at other groups? Economic Inequality Is Just A Cover For Anti-Rich Prejudice

50,850

7 years

This is a false equivalence. There is not a long history of mass murder, violence, and state-sponsored marginalization towards rich people. Animosity perhaps, but this doesn’t equate to being systematically killed and oppressed.

Furthermore, “prejudice” implies that the masses who have become hostile towards the rich are basing this off of some preconceived notion. The campaign against neoliberalism (and capitalism generally) is based on socio-economic ideas which have been around for almost two centuries.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

...n inequality, “Equal Is Unfair: America’s Misguided Fight Against Income Inequality,” my co-author Yaron Brook and I address those problems and many others. But whatever one’s view of our challenges, nothing can justify the way many—including presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders—are treating those who have achieved economic success. Economic Inequality Is Just A Cover For Anti-Rich Prejudice

50,850

7 years

Actually it can be justified. This economic success was built on the backs of laborers and not the rich. While the rich certainly risk capital initially, it is ultimately the working class and middle class who build the riches. On this note, it is an unjustifiable position to defend those who have exploited this labor for their own gain.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

...rsies surrounding Donald Trump’s campaign, it’s easy to forget that most of us rightfully pride ourselves on our opposition to racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of unjust discrimination. But we rarely even discuss another prevalent form of prejudice: the demonization and dehumanization of the successful. This prejudice is central to today’s chief economic concern: the campaign against economic inequality. Economic Inequality Is Just A Cover For Anti-Rich Prejudice

50,850

7 years

Oh sure, the poor are in danger of losing programs that help them survive due to the GOP government, but let’s cry about people who have absolutely no fear of dying due to insufficient funds.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

Not to mention there is many a story of kids in the hardcore punk scene during the '70s and '80s driving Nazis off with force and not kind words. Mike M – Open Letter to Liberals: On the Subject of Political Violence

50,850

Author

7 years

One such story (threaded)

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

their own ideology is internally inconsistent Mike M – Open Letter to Liberals: On the Subject of Political Violence

50,850

Author

7 years

This has been true since fascism’s inception. While both Mussolini and Hitler claimed to be anti-capitalist, neither really fought against capitalism beyond rhetoric. Mussolini himself actually used state capitalism under the corporatist model, even saying:

Fascism should rightly be called Corporatism, as it is the merger of state and corporate power.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

most of the world has laws against such kinds of speech, recognizing it as threatening and discriminatory. Mike M – Open Letter to Liberals: On the Subject of Political Violence

50,850

Author

7 years

Most notably Germany who has outright banned Nazi symbolism, as well as the symbols used by white supremacists generally, and enforces the hell out of this rule. One such example of this enforcement came in the ‘90s, when German law enforcement officers started raiding NSBM record label offices.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

both are despicable tyrants and bastards overall Mike M – Open Letter to Liberals: On the Subject of Political Violence

50,850

Author

7 years

Inb4 the Marxist-Leninists get mad at me for calling an authoritarian an authoritarian.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

252

7 years

The fasces is an ax head bound to a bundle of sticks. Anny individual stick would fail the ax was used, but the combined strength of the completed fasces exceeds that of the sum off the parts. Mao and Stalin both believed that: “power grows from the barrel of a gun” (Mao). That doesn’t make them fascist. Tossing people in an oven and setting it to broil makes you a murderer not a fascist, looking the other way while somebody else does it make you a fascist.

Upvote +1 Downvote

252

7 years

Begging the question?

Upvote +0 Downvote

50,850

Author

7 years

Begging the question?

In what regard? By calling Stalin and Mao tyrannical bastards? I mean, I’ll concede that the two of them are controversial on the left, but I’m not here to play devil’s advocate and argue for men who, while good for their country, are notorious authoritarians (but are not, as I made clear, fascists).

Upvote +0 Downvote

Show 2 more replies

We are, as liberals, as anarchists, as socialists, as communists, as social democrats, as feminists, as left-libertarians, as Marxists, all besieged, and must think critically about this notion. Mike M – Open Letter to Liberals: On the Subject of Political Violence

50,850

Author

7 years

Inb4 other leftists get mad at me for equating us with liberals. (To which I concede accuracy in your anger, but you miss the point.)

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

252

7 years

The premise is false. All known political systems subscribe to the Ultima Ratio. All dems just like all fascists accept the killing of others as a necessary evil: “Until a more murderous means than war can be found…” (Arendt).

Upvote -1 Downvote

50,850

Author

7 years

@Southsierradude This is a patently false assertion, pacifism is a thing.

Upvote +0 Downvote

252

7 years

Pacifism is not a form of governance. And to say I said so is a straw man.

Upvote +0 Downvote

50,850

Author

7 years

Pacifism is not a form of governance. And to say I said so is a straw man.

All known political systems subscribe to the Ultima Ratio.

Anarcho-pacifism is a thing.

Upvote +0 Downvote

Show 3 more replies

"Election day!" he shouted
A socialist for mayor Joe Hill – Mr. Block

Genius Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Back in the early days of the IWW, socialism was not yet a politically dirty word in America. At that time, socialist politicians ran semi-regularly, and even won positions. The IWW has always held an official position of never backing any politicians, and has been skeptical of politicians generally.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

The great A F of L!" Joe Hill – Mr. Block

Genius Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

The AFL, known as the AFL-CIO after it’s merger, is the largest trade union in America. Consequent to its more moderate politics, it’s been a subject of disdain for the IWW since its inception.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

« Previous 1 2 … 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 … 161 162 Next »

What is this?

What is this?

Integrate the suggestion into the annotation, keeping the contributor guidelines in mind.