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Philosoraptor

(15,019 posts)
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 07:27 AM Sep 2012

What famous asshole said: 'If they would rather die, 'they had better do it;

The clerk, in letting Scrooge's nephew out, had let two other people in. They were portly gentlemen, pleasant to behold, and now stood, with their hats off, in Scrooge's office. They had books and papers in their hands, and bowed to him.

'Scrooge and Marley's, I believe,' said one of the gentlemen, referring to his list. 'Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr Scrooge, or Mr Marley?'

'Mr Marley has been dead these seven years,' Scrooge replied. 'He died seven years ago, this very night.'

'We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner,' said the gentleman, presenting his credentials.

'It certainly was, for they had been two kindred spirits. At the ominous word liberality, Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the credentials back.

'They are. Still,' returned the gentleman,' I wish I could say they were not.'

'The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?' said Scrooge.

'At this festive season of the year, Mr Scrooge,' said the gentleman, taking up a pen, 'it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.'
'Are there no prisons?"

'Plenty of prisons,' said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
'And the Union workhouses.' demanded Scrooge. 'Are they still in operation?'


'Both very busy, sir.'

'Oh. I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,' said Scrooge. 'I'm very glad to hear it.'

'Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,' returned the gentleman, 'a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?'

'Nothing!' Scrooge replied.

'You wish to be anonymous?'

'I wish to be left alone,' said Scrooge. 'Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned-they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there.'

'Many can't go there; and many would rather die.'

'If they would rather die,' said Scrooge, 'they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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What famous asshole said: 'If they would rather die, 'they had better do it; (Original Post) Philosoraptor Sep 2012 OP
Are there no prisons?" rsweets Sep 2012 #1
Since we have private prisons now, watch for private workhouses. no_hypocrisy Sep 2012 #2
We already do... Javaman Sep 2012 #3
Slave labor. nt valerief Sep 2012 #11
Scrooge is a Libertarian hero, according to an essay I saw online PBass Sep 2012 #4
At least Scrooge repented. Romney and the GOP double down. Faygo Kid Sep 2012 #5
Ebenezer turned out to be a nice guy Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #6
When I first heard Rmoney's drivel SCVDem Sep 2012 #7
What brilliant writing . . . colorado_ufo Sep 2012 #8
"At the ominous word LIBERALITY, Scrooge frowned, and shook his head..." rocktivity Sep 2012 #9
thank you I may send this excerpt out around the holidays lunasun Sep 2012 #10
........ Philosoraptor Sep 2012 #12

rsweets

(307 posts)
1. Are there no prisons?"
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 07:48 AM
Sep 2012

lock all them moochers up..

WASHINGTON – At a time when states are struggling to reduce bloated prison populations and tight budgets, a private prison management company is offering to buy prisons in exchange for various considerations, including a controversial guarantee that the governments maintain a 90% occupancy rate for at least 20 years.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-03-01/buying-prisons-require-high-occupancy/53402894/1

no_hypocrisy

(45,774 posts)
2. Since we have private prisons now, watch for private workhouses.
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 08:17 AM
Sep 2012

Win/Win: Profits for business and solve that lingering unemployment problem.

PBass

(1,537 posts)
4. Scrooge is a Libertarian hero, according to an essay I saw online
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 08:52 AM
Sep 2012

about two years ago.

That's right, Scrooge was the hero, and Bob Cratchet was blamed for staying in a job where he was unhappy.

I'm sorry I can't provide more detail... I barely skimmed the article, because it just seemed like complete nonsense, and I consider Libertarianism to be a joke.

http://mises.org/daily/110

(ooh, turns out it's from 1998, and I merely read it two years ago)

Philosoraptor

(15,019 posts)
6. Ebenezer turned out to be a nice guy
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 10:15 AM
Sep 2012

mitt will never change, except occasionally change his magic undergarments

 

SCVDem

(5,103 posts)
7. When I first heard Rmoney's drivel
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 10:17 AM
Sep 2012

This is exactly what I thought of.

Immediately! Instant link!

Thanks for posting!

colorado_ufo

(5,717 posts)
8. What brilliant writing . . .
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 10:17 AM
Sep 2012

All these years, and I here so far removed, and still can bring me to tears. We all know such men as Scrooge still exist, but it is very hard to bear seeing them in action.

At least I didn't have to pay $50,000 for a plate of rubber chicken to see it.

rocktivity

(44,555 posts)
9. "At the ominous word LIBERALITY, Scrooge frowned, and shook his head..."
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 10:31 AM
Sep 2012

Talk about being ahead of your time!

But seriously, folks, the best line from that book is "MANKIND is your business!"


rocktivity

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