On Sun, Mar 07, 2004 at 10:39:31AM -0800, Doug Pensinger wrote:
Exactly. That's one of the reasons why an unrestricted free market is an unhealthy system, IMO. We value loyalty but the free market doesn't.
No, you apparently value "loyalty" highly, and some others do. Still others value efficiency, progress, and low prices more highly. Who are you to force "loyalty" on others who would choose otherwise, especially when your "loyalty" comes at the high cost of diminished productivity overall? (By the way, the quotes are because I don't think you've defined your term precisely, and if you try you will run into conflicting "loyalties")
I value all the things you mentioned above as well. I'm just pointing out that loyalty is a consideration that an unrestricted free market places very little value upon.
As far as defining the term, I'm sure you can find ambiguity in _any_ concept, even efficiency and progress. In this case I would say that loyalty is a degree of consideration for an entity that contributed to your success commensurate with that contribution. I wouldn't expect a corporation to have a blind or unlimited loyalty to it's country or it's employees, but I don't really think it's too much to expect that they don't defecate on those that have nurtured them even if it means not being quite as profitable.
-- Doug _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
