Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 11:26:01 -0500
Subject: Weeping in my rolls royce because I can't afford the gas


Steve,

So what do you think about the elections?  

I heard it was the first time in 100 years the labor candidate was
elected for two terms and that the turnover was extremely low(though you
still have a long way to go to catch up with America - we're the leader
of the free (sic) world.)

Is it true that Tony Blair is Bill Clinton without the libido?

Regarding the comments you made about taxes and the welfare state, I
completely agree.  Noam Chomsky wrote an essay called "Visions and
Goals" In it he pointed out, a vision is something like a classless
paradise where we all dance naked. 

However, sometimes in order to stay on track with our vision, we
sometimes need to accomplish short term goals that appear on the surface
to move in the opposite direction.

Thus, anarchists and autonomist/council Marxist may want to develop a
society where the state becomes an anachronism.  To dismantle the
welfare state today because of this vision, however, simply be
counterproductive and stupid.  

I believe we first need to demand the state become more democratic
before we proceed to dismantle it.  Otherwise, the result is fascism
pure and simple. Thus, I say: tax the bastards. tax them til it hurts.

PS - as promised, I sent out my attempt at postmodern religious
evangelizing.  I hope you like it, whether or not you choose to accept
Epicurus into your heart as your own personal savior.