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John Cowan wrote: > Well and good -- *if* we had those things. The Blessings-Of-Civilization > Trust, as Mark Twain called it, is more in the habit of spreading > massive inequality, authoritarian rule, and "protectionism at home, free > trade abroad" -- the qualities of large corporations. Well that's the Great Debate, isn't it? I would only like to point out that there are plenty of individuals like me (some of whom are rich and powerful), who believe passionately in helping their fellow man, but believe that the mechanisms by which we can achieve this are often subtle and counterintuitive. In other words, where altruism springs from self-interest is where we really have a chance to make a difference to all of humanity over the long term. Looks at much of East Asia, for example, including China. There's still a lot of progress to make, but millions of people who were dirt poor 50 years ago no longer are. Anyway, this is a tough line to take sometimes, since it's so easy to be characterized as as selfish and uncaring. And that makes me deeply regret having ever participated in this discussion. Matt
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