| 3/15/2008 4:58:23 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | | 
dana1956
New Braunfels, TX
age: 51
| Look at at the systems of the world like communism, democracy, facism, etc. Are they not just a belief to facilitate cohabitation? But in reality have bred corruption and greed. ( and yes this is true in some churches but evil has little bounds) Now in many ways all these systems are good but only followed in all aspects. The best of all available systems I have seen is the one offered free of charge by God. If I live as a child of God I can get along with everyone except those who hate me because I love Christ and then its not personal, they're just serving a different master.
Now I ask you, ASSUMING you follow the system to the letter and believe it in its entirety, out of all the systems of the world, religious or secular, would best facilitate cohabitation and why?
I kinda like star trek where nobody works anymore
| | 3/15/2008 6:20:16 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | | 
stringsvrs
Syracuse, NY
age: 51 online now!
| I kinda like star trek where nobody works anymore
I kinda like star trek where nobody works anymore
I kinda like star trek where nobody works anymore
I kinda like star trek where nobody works anymore
I kinda like star trek where nobody works anymore
I kinda like star trek where nobody works anymore
I kinda like star trek where nobody works anymore
| | 3/15/2008 10:33:44 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | | 
shylywilling
Medford, OR
age: 47
| Nature's law.
Be your best without unwarranted harm to the rest.
| | 3/19/2008 3:32:39 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | | 
burnkitty
Fayetteville, AR
age: 33
| The Star Trek government is a communistic one. Most people associate communism to China's government, when in fact it is merely socialism to a different degree. More importantly, there has never been a communistic government. Ever. All prior attempts have been socialist governments that we've called communist. A communist government as explained by Marx and Engels(authors of the Communist Manifesto) note that there must be technological independence in order for this hypothetical government to work. With Star Trek, you have energy converted into food and drink, easily solving world hunger. Harnessing of energy works at an individual level, and effeciently at that. Everyone has everything they need, so then the wants are next. It would be no far leap for energy conversion to be used to create anything we desire. Theft is then nearly irrelevent, as all you really worry of is family heirlooms. So we no longer require utilities from an outside source once one learns the technology to do this for themselves, nor would we require goods from other sources. This is where a government has to come into play; It must maintain both land ownership and maintaining the peace amoung this new social order. People still need laws. Don't rape, don't murder, etc. You have to tell people this even now in the supposed age of reason, and I believe the future won't be that much different. The problem arises with communism, however, when modivation to be a person of the working class is gone. Why should anyone be a police officer when there is no reward save for self-satisfation? Without gain, the human race would slip into stagnation. Telling people what to do in a self-sufficent society is assumptuous of a government that does nothing for them that they cannot do for themselves. Society must be given a goal in this form of government, or it will simply fail. Marx and Engels work is interesting, but hopeful at best. It relied on too many factors, one being that humankind was ultimately good, and people would aim to improve the lives of everyone around them. Another was that this may become a realistic government in their lifetimes. The term of communism has been skewered with historic events, although never had it truly existed. In the fifties, if you called someone a communist, it was worse than calling them a mother$#@!!?, excuse my symbolic French. In the end, it was supposed to be the ideal utopian government, which is nothing but a pipe dream. And when you take away greed(though I will agree with you that it isn't one of our best attributes), we lose our drive to better ourselves. In this way, greed is neccisary. America's present system is capitalism, which is a step up from the fuedal system only in that we can move up and down the chain varying on our income. But if we want that fancy car or that nice television, we'll do many things to stay productive. A secular or religious system matters little. Societies take on the system that does the job it needs at the moment. In the future, that system will end and another will take its' place. It is a fool that believes anything will last forever. That includes our governments. They will all eventually change and be replaced by another. Facilitating cohabitaion cannot be done by any one system, as the needs of a society will often change. Really it's just up to the people of the moment. Good day.
| | 3/25/2008 9:38:44 PM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | |
burnkitty
Fayetteville, AR
age: 33
| Capitalism has its many downfalls, but has its pluses as well. They keep to the golden rule... he who has the gold... yadda, yadda. But this system keeps a rule of order all its' own, thus having at least some resemblence of civility. But capitalism is a very stratigic system within itself, and one must know the rules if they are to thrive upon it. In the Star Trek stories, other planets do not form the communistic government the earth has, still using a capitalism government to run their individual worlds. When Earth has to have dealings with them, they use money of a universal nature, which is backed by X amount of materials that all worlds have assigned a given worth. My favorite example of capitalism's rules are the Ferengi Rules Of Acquisition. You can see how closely these resemble our present use of the capitalist system of government.
1. Once you have their money, you never give it back.
2. The best deal is the one that brings the most profit.
3. Never spend more for an acquisition than you have to.
4. A woman wearing clothes is like a man in the kitchen.
6. Never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity or Never allow family to stand in the way of profit.
7. Keep your ears open.
8. Small print leads to large risk.
9. Opportunity plus instinct equals profit.
10. Greed is eternal.
11. Even if it's free, you can always buy it cheaper.
12. Anything worth selling is worth selling twice.
13. Anything worth doing is worth doing for money.
16. A deal is a deal.
17. A contract is a contract is a contract. But only between Ferengi.
18. A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all.
19. Satisfaction is not guaranteed.
21. Never place friendship above profit.
22. A wise man can hear profit in the wind.
23. Nothing is more important than your health. Except for your money.
27. There is nothing more dangerous than an honest businessman.
31. Never make fun of a Ferengi's mother...Insult something he cares about instead
33. It never hurts to suck up to the boss.
34. War is good for business.
35. Peace is good for business.
40. She can touch your lobes, but never your latinum.
41. Profit is its own reward.
44. Never confuse wisdom with luck.
45. Expand or die. (The 95th rule is also given as "Expand or die" on one occasion.)
47. Never trust a man wearing a better suit than your own.
48. The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife.
50. Never bluff a Klingon.
52. Never ask when you can take.
57. Good customers are as rare as latinum. Treasure them.
58. There is no substitute for success.
59. Free advice is seldom cheap.
60. Keep your lies consistent.
62. The riskier the road, the greater the profit.
65. Win or lose, there's always Hupyrian beetle snuff.
74. Knowledge equals profit.
75. Home is where the heart is, but the stars are made of latinum.
76. Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies!
79. Beware of the Vulcan greed for knowledge.
82. The flimsier the product, the higher the price.
85. Never let the competition know what you're thinking.
89. Ask not what your profits can do for you, but what you can do for your profits.
94. Females and finances don't mix.
95. Expand or die. (The 45th rule was also given as "Expand or die" on one occasion.)
97. Enough... is never enough.
98. Every man has his price.
99. Trust is the biggest liability of all.
102. Nature decays, but latinum is forever.
103. Sleep can interfere with... [cut off]. (The rest of the 103rd rule was never stated onscreen as Pel was interrupted before finishing.)
104. Faith moves mountains... of inventory.
106. There is no honor in poverty.
109. Dignity and an empty sack is worth the sack.
111. Treat people in your debt like family. Exploit them.
112. Never have sex with the boss's sister.
113. Never have sex with the boss's daughter.
114. Never have sex with the boss's wife.
115. Always have sex with the boss.
121. Everything is for sale, even friendship.
123. Even a blind man can recognize the glow of latinum.
125. You can't make a deal if you're dead.
139. Wives serve, brothers inherit.
141. Only fools pay retail.
144. There's nothing wrong with charity... as long as it winds up in your pocket.
162. Even in the worst of times, someone turns a profit.
168. Whisper your way to success.
177. Know your enemies... but do business with them always.
181. Not even dishonesty can tarnish the shine of profit.
189. Let others keep their reputation. You keep their money.
190. Hear all; trust nothing.
192. Never cheat a Klingon... unless you're sure you can get away with it.
194. It's always good business to know about your customers before they walk in your door.
202. The justification of profit is profit.
203. New customers are like razor-toothed Greeworms. They can be succulent, but sometimes they bite back.
208. Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than the question is an answer.
211. Employees are the rungs on the ladder of success. Don't hesitate to step on them.
214. Never begin a business negotiation on an empty stomach.
217. You can't free a fish from water.
218. Always know what you're buying.
223. Beware the man who doesn't make time for oo-mox.
229. Latinum lasts longer than lust.
236. You can't buy fate.
239. Never be afraid to mislabel a product.
242. More is good... all is better.
255. A wife is a luxury... a smart accountant, a necessity.
261. A wealthy man can afford anything except a conscience.
263. Never allow doubt to tarnish your lust for latinum.
266. When in doubt, lie.
284. Deep down, everyone's a Ferengi.
285. No good deed ever goes unpunished.
The Unwritten Rule
When no appropriate rule applies, make one up.
Unofficial rules
The character of Quark proposed adding a 286th rule: "When Morn leaves, it's all over."
The character of Neelix, while posing as the Ferengi Grand Proxy, told Arridor and Kol that the 299th rule was: "Whenever you exploit someone, it never hurts to thank them (that way it's easier to exploit them the next time)." This was refuted by Arridor and Kol, stating that there were only 285 rules.
Each of the rules below was quoted on-screen, but was not formally stated as being one of the Rules of Acquisition and/or was not numbered.
When the messenger comes to appropriate your profits, kill the messenger.
Time, like latinum, is a highly limited commodity.
Exploitation begins at home.
Always inspect the merchandise before making a deal.
Respect is good, but latinum is better.
Revised Rules for the Modern Ferengi
A revised list of rules was created by Grand Nagus Zek in the DS9 episode "Prophet Motive". After consulting a Bajoran orb, the Bajoran Prophets changed Zek, eliminating his greed and thirst for profit. Once Zek was restored to his normal self, the original rules were restored and all copies of the revised rules were to be destroyed.
1. If they want their money back, give it to them.
10. Greed is dead.
21. Never place profit before friendship.
22. Latinum tarnishes, but family is forever.
23. Money can never replace dignity.
285. A good deed is its own reward.
Stages of Acquisition
In addition to the Rules, Ferengi recognize five Stages of Acquisition:
1. Infatuation
2. Justification
3. Appropriation
4. Obsession
5. Resale
| | 3/29/2008 5:28:05 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | |
burnkitty
Fayetteville, AR
age: 33
| At any rate, breeding corruption and greed is something the induvidual human being does, not a system of government. We cannot treat a system as if it in itself has foul modivations. An idea for a government, whether based strickly off a religious group or a secular one, will only be as good as the people placed in charge(or having took charge, varying on the situation). A good monarch could rule us all with fairness and love, but his successor could end up some mean-spirited, manipulative, little toadie who seeks only his own happiness over that of others. This will detrimentally affect the way an office is run. I must be a bit cynical when I say I don't think a system can be kept pure of this, yet I've seen no example otherwise.
| | 3/30/2008 8:05:51 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | |
burnkitty
Fayetteville, AR
age: 33
| In the popular book by George Orwell called Animal Farm, we see an origonal attempt to start anew with a fresh idea of government. The animals created the laws so to prevent corruption, and the laws were thus...
THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.
But as the corruption spread within the groups and subgroups, we see the contradictory quote of the seventh commandment...
"All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others."
And that last abridgment to their laws was what destroyed the system. So were we to place a god's law as a form of government, eventually it breaks down through the induviduals in charge, no matter how well intended.
| | 3/30/2008 8:29:33 PM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | |
burnkitty
Fayetteville, AR
age: 33
| 
| | 3/30/2008 8:32:34 PM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | | 
krupa1
Abilene, TX
age: 40
| No....the strong will take from the weak everytime.
| | 3/30/2008 8:34:03 PM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | |
burnkitty
Fayetteville, AR
age: 33
| Quite so, Krupa... Political Evolution I suppose.
| | 4/10/2008 9:04:54 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | |
burnkitty
Fayetteville, AR
age: 33
| A one world government could be interesting, even though like all other forms of government, it will eventually fail. Would you say that world peace is accomplishable under a one world government if only breifly? It would be odd to see the world under a single banner, as there is no prior example. There are those who have nearly accomplished it. Only nearly, though.
| | 4/10/2008 10:25:13 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | |
skunkbreath
Saint James, MO
age: 89
| burn,  Whoah, this thread is too much for me to read this morning!..
In your postings here did you happen to mention the shape of the Ferengi's head?....
You can tell a lot about a person using Phrenology!!!!...
| | 4/10/2008 10:31:16 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | |
burnkitty
Fayetteville, AR
age: 33
| Yes it is a lot to read... more of my habitual essay writing... heh,heh. So Gum, why do you presume that a one world government would be a bad thing without a point of reference before it? Is that strictly biblical?
[Edited 4/10/2008 10:35:46 AM]
| | 4/10/2008 10:46:04 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | |
skunkbreath
Saint James, MO
age: 89
| one world gov.?....not too likely in the next 1000 yrs!...
hell, we can't even get Haiti organized!!!
| | 4/10/2008 10:59:43 AM | Is it ALL just a system of cohabitation????? | |
burnkitty
Fayetteville, AR
age: 33
| True enough. Even in the Star Trek fictions, World War III had to occur before the world was united.
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."-Albert Einstein.
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