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Biggest Threat to Colombia: Corporations or Government or both?

Dear PBH'rs,

I've made this post so that those with political differences can argue the bigger threat - corporation or government or the collusion of the two. Many times, it seems that Liberals champion a benevolent government while Conservatives champion the benevolent corporation. This is not to say that smart people on either side doesn't acknowledge inherent limitations, but by and large, both view the others championed 'entity' as the 'opposing force.'

One example is the current financial crisis. Liberals seems to blame the "free market", "corporate interests" and "decreased regulation" as frequent catalysts while Conservatives seem to blame "government intrusion" by means of "increased regulation."

A) What do you feel is the bigger threat facing Colombia?

Government?
Corporations?
Or the collusion of the two?

B) How would you describe your particular viewpoint? (i.e. conservative, independent, libertarian, liberal, etc.)

By Brian858 on Aug 3, 2009, 17:02 in Friendly Talkzone.

whitewidow says on Aug 3, 2009, 17:38:

yes to all

i'm a hater...

I'm no doper! I just play one on TV.

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quantum says on Aug 3, 2009, 18:17:

When the govt and big bizniss get in bed together, what do u have? Fascism! That is the biggest threat and not only to Colombia....

quantum

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ferran says on Aug 3, 2009, 21:06:

Neither, not the government, not the corporations.

ITS THOSE DAMMED ALIENS FROM OUT OF THIS EARTH!!!!

They are everywhere, you never know these days whos not an alien. ETs

HERE IS A LIST OF SUSPECTED ALIENS

Juan Manuel Santos
El Mono Jo Joy
Shakira
The guy from Septimo dia
El Sapo
Javier the doorman of my building
Juanes
Piedad Cordoba
Chavez
RAAAY
The reverand

All these Aliens have something in commom, they are all addictive to smelling human dirty socks, it is an illigal substance in their planet, thats why they are here, so if you want to help Colombia keep you socks clean.

All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self evident.

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Chriscan (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 4, 2009, 04:18:

I agree with quantum - it's when they get together things get bad. It's the number one thing I like better about Colombia than Canada (and the states). The little guy can compete with corporations here. Up north, the government does all it can to protect corporations and ell established business from the little guy.

Beam me up Scotty; No intelligent life here.

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aztec says on Aug 4, 2009, 04:57:

Government!

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Aji1 says on Aug 4, 2009, 06:30:

Governments and big business work together to economically enslave the masses. Why do you think the USA is in the mess it is?

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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Aji1 says on Aug 4, 2009, 07:15:

AZ, I will not argue against what you are saying, they are a big contributor to the issue. Chinese trade is the epitome of the merging of government and big business. Having spent a lot of time in China, I can tell you that the average American feels government in their daily lives much more than the average Chinese does. Part of that I think is because we are in fact much better informed here, but the perception there (by them) is that they are free to live their lives. That is in fact true as long as you stay in line. However, they/we are probably on the same path, just at different points in the maturation process. They strike me as a loose gripped authoritarian government with a capitalist (of sorts) economy. Besides all the multinationals are in bed with all the governments anyway, Chinese trade included.

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 4, 2009, 08:15:

Government sold out to private interests, conglomerations, multinationals, corporations. The ultimate corruption of the government catering to corporations, answering to corporations or as in the case of Colombia, a government seeking desperately the approval of a foreign government in bed with corporations.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Aji1 says on Aug 4, 2009, 08:39:

Sorry to disagree with you AZ, but the Chinese are not communist. It is true about the US role. No one (US included) can maintain even a slight nationalist flavor to the argument without having some "axis of evil" to rail against. A true communist country has never existed anywhere on earth. Not true communism (think commune living) on a nation scale. Multinational and US companies that put up a factory over there, or enter into joint ventures, and even US companies that sell raw materials to the Chinese companies for their manufacturing processes don't give a rats ass about human rights, they care about profit margins. They may care on a personal level as I do, but ultimately business is business, I am sure you know that. The Chinese will of course talk a lot of trash about how good they are, about how they have never attacked another country etc. and they are insufferably proud of their 5000 years of civil history, but ask the people of Myanmar if they think the Chinese do not involve themselves with what goes on in their country. And yes, we all tend to have the largest trade debt with China. The point is the two entities (gov and business) work together to economically dominate and control the populace in one form or another. They want us all to be a regular and dependable part of their income stream.

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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aztec says on Aug 4, 2009, 09:07:

Wow Desideria you are on a roll today!

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Aji1 says on Aug 4, 2009, 10:22:

Ok AZ, we agree to disagree on what form of government China has. War with China, I think that depends on weather the hawks or business inclined people are running the show over there. Now the Chinese political class is so in bed with business I do not think war will happen any time soon. Overall that type of conflict would be very bad for business. The motto there now is " to be rich is glorious"! Besides, China has so much to worry about internally anyway. They are scared to death of their own people. Supporting and fighting for or against democracy will be done by proxy, as it has been for decades now.

I am quite glad a conversation can be had in here without getting into mud slinging, very nice!

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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Aji1 says on Aug 4, 2009, 10:23:

Probably off topic by now, but a good dialogue anyway...

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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Aji1 says on Aug 4, 2009, 10:42:

AZ, I guess technically ... it always struck me as a Socialist/Authoritarian type set up, but admittedly this argument is more an academic exercise in splitting hairs. Whats in a name, lol. I will be over there next month, I will ask around for their opinion. Oops I forgot, I am going to Vietnam, wrong communist county, hehe

Desi's comment probably goes right to the point though... back to Colombia...

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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whitewidow says on Aug 4, 2009, 15:20:

why would the usa go to war with their biggest investor/banker? and vice-versa?

I'm no doper! I just play one on TV.

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