>
>>Hi All,
>>
>>
>>Earlier Dan Wrote:
>>> Capitalism may not be a great system, but it is the best that has been
>>>devised by man thus far. And in its pure form, it is based on a worker
>>>being paid "an honest day's pay for an honest day's work". The capitalist
>>>(owner) who puts his/her money at risk investing it in what ever venture,
>>>deserves a reasonable profit for his investment and effort. A lot of
>>>people have attempted over the years to define "reasonable" in the above
>>>context and have come up short. I do not intend to go there myself.
>>>
>>
>>I don't agree that capitalism is the best that has been devised so far. It
>>is certainly the most powerful. Capitalism has ruthlessly conquered any
>>system that has had resources to plunder. Some of these systems have had a
>>better way of existence than what capitalism is providing. We simply haven't
>>heard about, or thought about it, or cared to think about, because evidence
>>of previous cultures has been destroyed or pushed aside by capitalistic
>>public relations(PR). Plus, it's too cosy in our pleasant capitalistic
>>system to worry about such tedious details.
>>
>>The reason you perceive capitalism to be the best system that has been
>>devised so far, is because it's great economic engines are being fueled by
>>consumption of natural and social capital. As long as we have natural
>>capital to consume and the waste generated by this system does not foul our
>>own nest, then the capitalistic system works(unless your one of those being
>>socially exploited)(ask the Ecquadorian Indians what they think about
>>capitalism).
>>
>>However, when the natural capital runs out, and the filth of polution sicken
>>even the highest in the capitalistic system, then the ways of capitalism
>>will be laid bare, and the truth, will be known...capitalism is a failure
>too.
>>
>>For any system to function, it first of all, has to be a democracy. We no
>>longer have that here. We have an oligarchy, or as Jim Hightower likes to
>>say, 'A cleptocracy...Government by Thieves".
>>
>>Capitalism, socialism, communism and any other 'ism', will not work unless
>>it is based in democracy! The experiments based on Carl Marx's work were not
>>democratic, and they failed. But that does not mean that a democratic form
>>of socialism could not work.
>>
>>And I'm not saying that is what I endorse. I think a democratic capitalistic
>>system, that is held accountable for it's action could be a very pausible
>>for of government.
>>But that is not what we have now! We have no accountability. The faster you
>>can exploit, the better.
>>
>>Our world is being stolen undying mega-oligarchies, known as corporations.
>>With no concsience, only profit as a motive, and more influence in
>>government than my Senators, they become perpetrators of an irresponsible
>>form of capitalism that is degenerating into a form of tyranny that we may
>>be unable to recover from.
>>
>>I hope I'm wrong...but I don't think so.
>>
>>Greg
>
>I thought I would add my two cents worth to the discussion. The viability
>of any economic or political system rests on its ability to change or
>adapt. For example, capitalism adopted some of the ideas that Marx was
>advocating in the form of unions and social welfare. Everything that was
>said about accountability and the power of corporations is true, however
>when systems whether economic or political do not adapt or change like in
>the former Soviet Union they fail. On the other hand communism in China has
>adjusted just enough to mantain its viability by adopting some of
>capitalism's ideas.
>
>I feel that any system has its limits and capitalism is no exception. Its
>just a matter of new ideas blossoming and old ones reaching their capacities.
>
>Tad Williams
>
>
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