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He was transformational, ushering in this country's great Western expansion. Collateral damage. Terrible, but unavoidable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by marino760
OK, now I'll bite even though this has become off topic. The Trail Of Tears was without a doubt one of the most horrific things done to Natives in mass IMO and could have been avoided costing the lives of up to 6000 people. But let's put all that aside.
Regardless, it's the fact that Jackson thought himself above the law and anointed himself dictator in order to do this speaks volume about this man.
He not only thought it was the best thing to do, but disregarded the Supreme Court and did it anyway. He obviously didn't have any respect for our 3 branches of government and did what he wanted to like any good dictator would have done.
Imagine today if the Supreme Court ruled something unconstitutional that a President and or Congress wanted to do and the current President took the army and did it anyway by force.
That's what sets Andrew Jackson apart. Not the fact that he expanded westward or in any other direction. Yes, men were the products of their times, but he basically tore up the Constitution in order to do what he wanted to. He made one of the branches of government irrelevant to suite his needs.
I love the market, but let us understand, capitalism exists because it was useful to the state. Which is why the state created things like limited-liability corporations, and protects and promotes the interests of big-business against foreign competition.
Capitalism is a tool for greater state power. Which is why everywhere capitalism has ever existed, it has been a form of corporatism.
The Federal Reserve is just one more tool for providing American corporations a "competitive-advantage", and to provide "economic growth", through the various mechanisms of finance(mainly, the machinations of fictitious capital, and the corresponding top-down system it produces).
Capitalism does not exist to do good(unless good means the power and preservation of the state). If it does any good whatsoever, that is simply a happy-coincidence.
I never said I liked it. But it reminds me of his Winston Churchill's quote, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried."
The world is the way it is for a reason. We didn't magically wake up one morning the world's only superpower, merely by luck.
Governments are in a Darwinian struggle with one-another. If a better system comes around, that system will dominate all the rest.
America dominates the world, because we have the best system for world domination. And that is all that matters in this world.
And it is why every other government is adopting more-or-less the same system.
Government does not exist to do good. A government which existed only to do good, would die. Just as any corporation which existed only to do good, would die.
Government does not exist to do good. A government which existed only to do good, would die. Just as any corporation which existed only to do good, would die.
Of course there are gov'ts that try to do to only do good. But they are not perfect and there may be times where what is best for that gov'ts people is not the best for some other entity in the world. Off hand I can't think of anything negative enough to mention that my local city gov't has done over the years.
Business the same. But as business is so much less complicated than gov't, some can just about only do good. Like my medical practice/office. Anything we do that is or turns out bad, is either bad luck or judgement on mine or my staffs part. Something that does not happen often. But we exist as a business only to do good. My builder, plumber, barber, shuttle ride driver and landscaper the same. IMO and long experience with these people/businesses.
Of course there are gov'ts that try to do to only do good. But they are not perfect and there may be times where what is best for that gov'ts people is not the best for some other entity in the world. Off hand I can't think of anything negative enough to mention that my local city gov't has done over the years.
Business the same. But as business is so much less complicated than gov't, some can just about only do good. Like my medical practice/office. Anything we do that is or turns out bad, is either bad luck or judgement on mine or my staffs part. Something that does not happen often. But we exist as a business only to do good. My builder, plumber, barber, shuttle ride driver and landscaper the same. IMO and long experience with these people/businesses.
I don't mean that governments do evil, but merely that they don't exist to do good.
Governments are indifferent to good or evil. A government is neither moral or immoral. All governments are amoral.
The goals of all governments, are the same as any other corporation, self-preservation, grandeur, and ultimately, power. Because power is necessary for self-preservation. A corporation that doesn't have the power to influence government, is doomed.
Likewise, a government which doesn't have the power to protect itself, and ultimately to influence other governments, is doomed.
Sometimes power can be achieved by doing good, and other times it can only be achieved by doing evil. And thus, a government will at times do good, and at other times it will do evil. Just as does every other corporation, when it serves their interests.
I don't mean that governments do evil, but merely that they don't exist to do good.
Governments are indifferent to good or evil. A government is neither moral or immoral. All governments are amoral.
The goals of all governments, are the same as any other corporation, self-preservation, grandeur, and ultimately, power. Because power is necessary for self-preservation. A corporation that doesn't have the power to influence government, is doomed.
Likewise, a government which doesn't have the power to protect itself, and ultimately to influence other governments, is doomed.
Sometimes power can be achieved by doing good, and other times it can only be achieved by doing evil. And thus, a government will at times do good, and at other times it will do evil. Just as does every other corporation, when it serves their interests.
If you but open your eyes, it is plain to see.
IMO yours is too broad a conclusion. Like I said my local gov't just does good. Maybe someone can find the bad in there, i cannot see it. A gov't for and of the people does the bidding of the people.
IMO yours is too broad a conclusion. Like I said my local gov't just does good. Maybe someone can find the bad in there, i cannot see it. A gov't for and of the people does the bidding of the people.
Do you honestly believe your local government does only good? And what is good anyway?
I'm not saying that they are tyrants by any means. But the purpose of all law, as it pertains to local governments, is in promoting "economic growth", usually by trying to increase property values(through various ordinances), and to attract big-business.
Do you honestly believe your local government does only good? And what is good anyway?
I'm not saying that they are tyrants by any means. But the purpose of all law, as it pertains to local governments, is in promoting "economic growth", usually by trying to increase property values(through various ordinances), and to attract big-business.
Money. And what is money?
Can you not see?
They run our city for its people. A necessary service. Police and fire protection other necessary services. Help support and run our schools. Senior services. Transportation. Yes help promote, sustain and secure our economy. I can think of no wrongs.
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