Can we have a meaningful discussion about the effectiveness of capitalism?

[Padawanbater2]

Do you support capitalism? Why? Why not?

Do you believe there could be a better economic system than capitalism?

What do you think is right/wrong about capitalism? Why?

 

[NewtoMJ]

Do you support capitalism? Why? Why not?

Do you believe there could be a better economic system than capitalism?

What do you think is right/wrong about capitalism? Why?

In terms of ability to create wealth, capitalism is probably as good as it gets. The problem is its only really going to work if you already have something to invest. There is also a serious lack of moral compass in capitalism, that I think should be addressed. If a company is able to poison a lake and give people who rely on that lake for water cancer without anyone who runs that company going to prison, that's a problem. If immoral decisions can be made, because the potential profit is greater than the consequences, then there is a problem with the system.

 

[abandonconflict]

 

[Rob Roy]

Changing from one kind of system that employs a coercive third party to another kind of system where a coercive third party remains involved is like a fat girl dying her hair and thinking it will make her ass smaller.



I prefer free trade unimpeded by unwanted third parties.

Capitalism in the present is not a free market. Remove the coercion and unwanted third parties, solve the problem.

 

[abandonconflict]

Privatization is only possible through gov't.

 

[Rrog]

capitalism favors the smartest.

We have seen what happens to those less able and less intelligent.

Capitalism cannot survive

 

[Rob Roy]

Privatization is only possible through gov't.

Not really, although it can require the smallest and best government of all, the self governing individual interacting with another self governing individual on a consensual basis of exchange. This is provable.


You should get out of the rut you are trapped in, it would also be helpful if you left the basement and got some fresh air.

 

[Rob Roy]

capitalism favors the smartest.

We have seen what happens to those less able and less intelligent.

Capitalism cannot survive

Capitalism favors those that are favored by a coercive government, thru licensing, regulatory hoops and cronyism etc.

A truly free market does not.

 

[abandonconflict]

Not really, although it can require the smallest and best government of all, the self governing individual interacting with another self governing individual on a consensual basis of exchange. This is provable.

Then prove it.

 

[NewtoMJ]

Not really, although it can require the smallest and best government of all, the self governing individual interacting with another self governing individual on a consensual basis of exchange. This is provable.


You should get out of the rut you are trapped in, it would also be helpful if you left the basement and got some fresh air.

As much as it's nice to think about everyone being self-governing individuals, it's just not possible. We have seen first hand what happens when there is not a centralized government. Look at Somalia in the 90's, or a handful of other african nations. People without leadership are just cruel.

 

[Rrog]

Exactly.

This is a common human response

 

[desert dude]

Venezuela. Capitalism wins.

Cuba. Capitalism wins.

USSR. Capitalism wins

East Germany. Capitalism wins.

This discussion is only interesting to teenagers who think they know it all.

 

[desert dude]

Here is Venezuela, today.

http://reason.com/blog/2015/04/28/pay-your-venezuelan-doctorin-cooking-oil

 

[NewtoMJ]

Venezuela. Capitalism wins.

Cuba. Capitalism wins.

USSR. Capitalism wins

East Germany. Capitalism wins.

This discussion is only interesting to teenagers who think they know it all.

How did capitalism win?

 

[Harrekin]

As much as it's nice to think about everyone being self-governing individuals, it's just not possible. We have seen first hand what happens when there is not a centralized government. Look at Somalia in the 90's, or a handful of other african nations. People without leadership are just cruel.

Dude, Africa is a backwards and fucked up place.

A bad example and an intellectually dishonest choice for a legitimate comparison.

 

[TBoneJack]

I've always been a believer in capitalism, and never questioned it. But I'm not so sure now that it's as perfect as I once thought.

I see the mindless excesses of people like the Kardashians and Floyd Mayweather, and I wonder why it should be legal for them to have that much in extreme excess when some people are on the brink of starvation in the USA.

Some blond idiot actresses have 300 pair of shoes, while MANY single mothers don't even have $300.

I don't have a solution, but this shit ain't fair.

 

[UncleBuck]

Do you believe there could be a better economic system than capitalism?

there already is, it's called capitalist-socialism.

we just have it backwards right now. it's socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor.

when oil companies in texas ripped up the roads, instead of repairing them, they just turned paved roads back into dirt roads. they socialized their costs onto everyone else.

http://www.texastribune.org/2013/07/25/with-funds-lacking-txdot-converts-road-to-gravel/

but when it comes time for the rest of us to pay at the pump, we get to face the capitalism that lines these oil companies pockets with record profits.

also, desert dude is a white supremacist and doesn't make much sense, ever.

 

[NewtoMJ]

Dude, Africa is a backwards and fucked up place.

A bad example and an intellectually dishonest choice for a legitimate comparison.

Why is it backwards, and how is it dishonest? Do you like attacking people's comments without information of your own to back-up your claims? Either contribute constructively or keep silent pleb.

 

[Mindmelted]

there already is, it's called capitalist-socialism.

we just have it backwards right now. it's socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor.

when oil companies in texas ripped up the roads, instead of repairing them, they just turned paved roads back into dirt roads. they socialized their costs onto everyone else.

http://www.texastribune.org/2013/07/25/with-funds-lacking-txdot-converts-road-to-gravel/

but when it comes time for the rest of us to pay at the pump, we get to face the capitalism that lines these oil companies pockets with record profits.

also, desert dude is a white supremacist and doesn't make much sense, ever.

Damn I agree with ya.
Don't know about the DD stuff, But agree with the rest...Damn!

 

[UncleBuck]

Damn I agree with ya.

in that case i retract my statement.