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Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --- Filomena Giese <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > 2. No, I am not contemptuous of business people and > development, capitalistic or socialist. I was not > being contemptuous, period, when I shared my list of > observations. > Mario observes: > Filomena, I think you will agree that words mean things. If you have overstated or mis-stated something I would appreciate a clarification or re-statement. > Absent that, it is wrong for you to claim that it is WE who have misconstrued your following comments as contemptuous, > "Goa doesn't deserve to be dotted with slums because politicians and business people, as well as the middle class, in other states as well as in Goa can profit from them. Slums are not caused by democracy. They are caused by excessive greed and unchecked capitalistic greed." > Let's recap. Politicians, business people and the middle class, "profiting" from the plight of slum dwellers. Slums caused by "excessive greed" and "unchecked capltalist greed". "Greed" used repeatedly in direct reference to capitalism. I tried to read past these sentiments but they stuck in my capitalist craw. > With all due respect, Filomena, you may not have intended to, but your sentence drips with contempt for politicians, business people, the middle class and capitalists. BTW, this entire group led by unassuming but uber-politician, Manmohan Singh, are in the vanguard of the economic boom that is lifting all boats in India, including those of the slum dwellers. Imagine what their plight must have been previously. > Filomena writes: > > Everyone is free to decide for themselves whether > there is an element of greed and exploitation, > capitalistic or socialist, in the continuation of > slum conditions in today's booming and wealthy > India. > Mario observes: > India is a recovering basket case from 50 years of mindless socialism. The current economic and tourist boom is creating jobs for those best suited for the jobs that are available. It is up to the slum dwellers to take advantage of the opportunities and raise their standard of living, which I'm sure they are doing to the best of their ability. They are mobile and willing to work at a reasonable wage that many Goans look down upon. > Many Goans have looked elsewhere for their livelyhood, the Persian Gulf states for example. My impression is that most of them and their families have benefitted, and Goa has as well. > It would be nice if more companies could emulate the Tata family and provide housing and other social services. However, that is not their primary responsibility. > It is not up to the government to build housing, unless all taxpayers agree to it, since it is their money that would be used. Even then the government would make matters worse, not better, because government bureaucrats have no incentive to solve any problem - losses don't come out of their pockets and their careers depend on problems getting worse. > Filomena writes: > > 3. I feel that you, not me, should offer solutions > since you seem to be knowledgeable about capitalism, > socialism, the old and new economic history of India > etc. > Mario adds: > I believe I did that in my previous post. Fewer bureaucrats, fewer regulations, reasonable tax rates, welcome foreign investors with open arms, and encourage more and more capitalists in India regardless of where they come from. Everyone lead, follow or get out of the way. > Filomena writes: > > Now, I can only contribute my own time, money, and > resources to what our group here in California > decides is a good contribution to the well-being of > the Goan community, year by year. I should put my > money where my mouth is. That's my solution, > something modest that I can live with. Otherwise, > I could rightly be accused of coming to give > observations, criticism and advice without actually > doing anything to help. > Mario observes: > Now, this is the kind of positive thinking that India and Goa could sure use and I heartily commend you for doing this. There's nothing like spending one's own time and money and watching the consequences. > BTW, did you know that the attitude in the last paragraph is the essence of American-style capitalist altruism, the most productive and munificent on earth? > Has it occured to your group that there is a crying need in Goa for more and better medical facilities and more and better assisted living arrangements for the aging parents of all those Goan expatriates around the world? Capitalism with an altruistic objective but plenty of money to be made without charging confiscatory prices - the best kind of capitalism. > Just a thought for your consideration. > Please keep writing on this forum - we need more women who stick their necks out, especially ones like you who, after all is said, are interested in DOING something about the problems they perceive. > _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org