Quote:
Originally Posted by TGS
It might be too easy - although the parlous state of the the left in Europe and the USA at the moment suggests otherwise - but it might also be true that the rich and big corporations are responsible for, at least some of, the woes of the world.
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And the same can be said for the other end of the spectrum. We put an enormous amount of tax dollars into the welfare system in this country. Some of that money goes towards people who are generally in need, but a lot does not. The abuse of that system adds to the woes of this country.
I've met wealthy people on the other hand, who work very hard and sacrifice much for their wealth. Frankly, I wouldn't want what they have if I have to sacrifice as much as they did. I think my problem with the original statement of the "rich and big corporations" is that it is too general. There are good and bad in all situations.
I've been thinking about this quite a bit since I first saw the statement and I have a question, "Why do people who pirate books feel that it is within your "right" to do so?" Why do you believe that you are so deserving of something that you take it without giving compensation to the true owners? I cannot see how you can justify it and NOT consider it stealing. Whether you like to admit it or not, whether you are taking something physically, digitally, or even intellectually, you are still taking something that does not belong to you and for which you do not have permission to own nor did you give compensation to the original owner.
When I walk with my daughter through Walmart and she sees a small toy that she wants, I don't tell her that it's okay to take it because Walmart is a "Big, Rich Corporation" who preys on the masses so it's within our rights as the downtrodden masses to "take" that toy without compensating that greedy company. If I did that, my 8 year old daughter would turn to me and say, "But mommy, that's stealing and stealing is wrong."
Whether or not you agree with the morality of it, you must live within the laws of the country where you reside. You may not like the terms "thief" or "stealing" but they are appropriate. Justifying breaking a law because it doesn't really work for you or limits the way you can live your life is juvenile. If you don't like the laws, work to change them.
By the way, I say all this but am hardly perfect and have already stated that I drive 4 miles over the speed limit (only on highways) because I know I can get away with it. I'm not excusing my behavior. It's wrong and I know it. I'm not trying to justify my illegal actions either. If a policeman is having a bad day and decides to pull me over for going 4 miles over the speed limit, it is perfectly within his rights to do so and I deserve the consequences.