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OdiousOutlaw wrote (edited )

Worst of all, the boundary between personal freedom and state power has been shifted dramatically, and in some countries it will never move fully back. Surveillance, monitoring and restrictions are an everyday reality for many months to come. There is a danger that, subtly and imperceptibly, the public will grow accustomed to a smaller space for individual liberty and a bigger role for the state, changing the acceptability of other ideas — supposedly to secure a better future through larger, more powerful and more dominating governments.

I agree; let's abolish the state, starting with the police and military. No? Well, I guess conservatives are just full of hot air and empty rhetoric. Just replace any instance of "state" and "government" in this paragraph with their privatized counterparts listen as right-wingers call you a filthy communist.

Conservatives, and other champions of an open, free and enterprising society based on sound money, need to think about this now. Otherwise they will emerge from the dark and tragic tunnel of this crisis to find themselves in a landscape they don’t recognize. Of course, many will say “this is not the time to think about this.”

"Free society based on any kind of money" is oxymoronic. Can these people come up with any tactic other than fearmongering? God, this is such boring fucking read.

There will be a natural and justified desire to learn from the crisis and create a better world after it. Fundamental parts of that are improved international co-operation, pandemic prevention and national resilience, all of which have been found wanting in recent weeks.

Because if capitalism encourages anything, it's cooperation; and, as someone who lives in the hyper-capitalist US, the prevention of pandemics.

But the centre-right of politics will also have to work hard, and think deeply, to present a vision of a more environmentally sustainable society, with worthwhile work for all and fairness to young generations.

"Present a vision" is an interesting way of saying "make false promises towards".

It is richer capitalist societies that are best at cleaning up their environment, inventing new forms of energy and fostering the innovations we need to save ourselves from climate change. We need to show how tax and regulation can push market forces to do that, not forever tell everyone how to live.

This is the first time I've been exposed to a right-wing acknowledgement of climate change and it's making my head spin. Mostly because this is how most of the progressives in the country that I reside in think.

To get growth going again, dispensing with some of the rules that limit house building and business development is the way, not more requirements and planning zones

"Let's deal with climate change by not dealing with climate change."

Above all, building a world-class education system for people of all regions and backgrounds is the most pressing need.

"We need to colonize harder, and build a system of propaganda factories as far as the eye can see; my preaching against the breach of individual rights be damned.

This opinion piece has been adapted from a longer version.

I'm glad I don't edit opinions pieces for a living. Can you imagine?

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