Capitalism for the people

What is Capitalism? Capitalism is an economy based on the exchange of goods or services for Capital (cash, money). It's not much different than a bartering system (exchange a cow for two pigs). Exchanging things for money is much easier for people--- so we became Capitalist.

The Left is terrified of progress and anything that makes life easier, why?

Capitalism is not the bogyman, it's a modern economy.

Buying a house with 400 pigs and 20 cows, or a car with 50 pigs and 2 cows is not practical.

Third-World countries still live on the barter system, they can---they live like people did thousands of years ago---in huts.

In a modern society Capitalism (exchange of money for goods) is what works best for everyone.

The effigy created by the Left of a huge monster (Capitalism) is so ridiculously pathetic that one has to wonder why so many people fall for it.

There are no monsters under your bed---and Capitalism is not a monster out to get you.

BTW, the tooth fairy, Easter bunny, and Santa Clause are not real either.

Originally posted by sleeper
.

There are no monsters under your bed---and Capitalism is not a monster out to get you.

Yeh but " The Left" is... Give me a break

Other than that I agree with your post however....

My home town used to have a high street with lots of shops on it. You know butchers, bakers, clothes shop etc lots of competing businesses.

I would say that this is the essence of capitalism.

Now we have ASDA. (walmart)

Originally posted by bobjohnson

My home town used to have a high street with lots of shops on it. You know butchers, bakers, clothes shop etc lots of competing businesses.

I would say that this is the essence of capitalism.

Now we have ASDA. (walmart)

My City and hundreds of others like it have several Walmarts---and hundreds and thousands of other small mom and pop and sister and brother shops of every kind.

We call that Varity and competition---keeps prices low and selection high.

But the secret is that people are free to go and buy wherever they please, that's the beauty of the free enterprise system.

If any business was a sure thing all of us would own one.

There will always be someone who will invent a better mouse-trap---and cheaper. Walmart will be king only until the people tire of it and flock elsewhere---and there is plenty of competition out there---by both the small and large companies.

But how many of those small stores are specialist or convenience stores.

There are other s/market chains near me but I would say they have thier own catchment area and no significant competition within that area.

There prices are so low because of unprecedented bulk buying and aggressive treatment of suppliers that has squezzed many out of business.

Therefore independent traders cannot compete so only specialist stores exist in the catchment areas and what we in england call the corner shop although they too are a dying breed.

Like I said in my last post no business is a sure thing, and hundreds go out of business every year---and are replaced by hundreds of new businesses every year.

It's like the fish in the seas, the little fish are food for the bigger fish---but no matter what, the little fish will always out number the big fish.

Should the little fish all disappear the big fish will also disappear----it will never happen.

More small business became large and prosperous working for Walmart and other large companies than those that go out of business.

It's like having two employees, one is more productive and efficient than the other, which would you keep?


[edit on 14-12-2004 by sleeper]

What exactly is your opinion on Monopolies Sleeper?
By your posts I get the impression that you feel they can never exist because
"no business is a sure thing".

Lack of regulations means Walmart's take over. Like ASDA over here, big brands take it all. But this is because, as said above, they buy in massive bulk and cut costs. Even if you don't get the service you did in the smaller shops. Would you rather pay more for a product of better quality and get service or pay less for a low quaility foreign product without the service? It's a shame to loose little shops, with staff that actually care. When there were lots of these shops they would compete, but now with big brands taking over we will soon get little or no competetion as they have such a monoply they can do what they like. You need to limit capitalism, but unfortunatley it takes over.

Everything is good in moderation. Ideologies are sort of dieing, and people are trying to take the best from all views. In my opinion this can only be a good thing, its progress.

Originally posted by boogyman
What exactly is your opinion on Monopolies Sleeper?
By your posts I get the impression that you feel they can never exist because
"no business is a sure thing".

Remember Ma Bell?

Look at all the trouble Bill Gates is going through in the US and abroad.

People (consumers) determine who and how much of the almighty dollar anyone or company gets.

In America and in any Capitalistic and free country it is the people (consumer/voter) that calls "all" the shots.

Originally posted by sleeper
Should the little fish all disappear the big fish will also disappear----it will never happen.

Thats a flawed analogy. Your condescending tone just makes you sound like a fool too.

I agree with whoever said that small stores are becoming specialised and are succeeding somewhat as a result.

The corner store in here is called a Milk Bar (some places anyway) and they too are a dying breed. They cannot compete with the supermarket prices and you'll find that Milk Bar bar prices are significantly higher. Same with 7 Eleven, while there are a lot of them around killing off the Milk Bars too, they also have ridiculous prices for things. I never go to them, it's worth the extra walk to the checkout and most supermarkets are open 24/7 anyway.

Originally posted by Teh_Gerbil
Lack of regulations means Walmart's take over. Like ASDA over here, big brands take it all. But this is because, as said above, they buy in massive bulk and cut costs. Even if you don't get the service you did in the smaller shops. Would you rather pay more for a product of better quality and get service or pay less for a low quaility foreign product without the service? It's a shame to loose little shops, with staff that actually care. When there were lots of these shops they would compete, but now with big brands taking over we will soon get little or no competetion as they have such a monoply they can do what they like. You need to limit capitalism, but unfortunatley it takes over.

Everything is good in moderation. Ideologies are sort of dieing, and people are trying to take the best from all views. In my opinion this can only be a good thing, its progress.

Walmart only competes with the other discount chains like Sears/Kmart, and many others----those who want higher quality and more expensive items go shop at other stores which are far too many to name.

Walmart in the US is typically for those who have limited income---and anyone looking for a bargain.

What is Walmart or any corperation but a stock in a mutual fund that will provide income for millions of people when they retire.

If these companies go out of business lots of people will be up a creek.

BTW, I don�t own Walmart stock.

Originally posted by cargo

Originally posted by sleeper
Should the little fish all disappear the big fish will also disappear----it will never happen.

Thats a flawed analogy. Your condescending tone just makes you sound like a fool too.

Fools are those who believe Left-wing madness to be the Holy Grail to Utopia.

Originally posted by sleeper

Originally posted by cargo

Originally posted by sleeper
Should the little fish all disappear the big fish will also disappear----it will never happen.

Thats a flawed analogy. Your condescending tone just makes you sound like a fool too.

Fools are those who believe Left-wing madness to be the Holy Grail to Utopia.

You vould say fools are those who become blinded by an ideology and don't even stop to consider its flaws. All ideologies are flawed.

Are you making serious dosh in America at the moment or something?

Originally posted by Teh_Gerbil


Are you making serious dosh in America at the moment or something?

I make enough to pay the bills, if that is what you mean. Can I sit back and not be concerned about money? No.

....but not defining what you're railing against? The nebulus "left", relevant to capitalism , is what to you, exactly?
Possibly, you're confusing people being against plutocracy and the Socialist practice of Bail outs & Subsidies as not being capitalists?
I'm a member of Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities.
Capitalism with a respect for your fellow man is the best model possible. What's mostly practised now, is no better than the regimes we rail against.

Originally posted by Bout Time
....but not defining what you're railing against? The nebulus "left", relevant to capitalism , is what to you, exactly?
Possibly, you're confusing people being against plutocracy and the Socialist practice of Bail outs & Subsidies as not being capitalists?
I'm a member of Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities.
Capitalism with a respect for your fellow man is the best model possible. What's mostly practised now, is no better than the regimes we rail against.

Businesses of all sizes stay in business at the pleasure of the consumer (the average Joe or Jane)

Capitalism is a means of exchanging goods and services for money---it doesn�t get any simpler than that.


If you and others don't like a company don't buy from them---is that so hard?

There is no large entity that is going after our women and children call CAPITALISM.

Every time you buy something with money you are participating in Capitalism---shame on you!

That you're staunchly against? I'm missing the meaning of your quote & response to my post?
As a clarification, the "Invisible Hand" of market dynamics is taken out of the equation in situation of subsidies & bail outs - - capitalism thrives in a "Survival of the Fittest" context, allowing companies with a better product and/or business plan to take the place of under performers at a better price to the consumer.

Originally posted by Bout Time
That you're staunchly against? I'm missing the meaning of your quote & response to my post?
As a clarification, the "Invisible Hand" of market dynamics is taken out of the equation in situation of subsidies & bail outs - - capitalism thrives in a "Survival of the Fittest" context, allowing companies with a better product and/or business plan to take the place of under performers at a better price to the consumer.

I believe that pure Capitalism has positive possibilities, however---in today�s world, with so many people craving job guarantees, multiple social safety nets and the increasing belief of entitlements---Capitalism will continually be restrained and chipped away at by the Left, hence subsidies and bail outs.

The fly (Socialism) is in the soup---and unfortunately there is no going back or undoing the damage without getting another bowl of soup---that�s not going to happen.

The impedements have all been Republican:

Airline BailOuts = GOP
AgroBusiness Bailout & Subsidies to NOT GROW = GOP
Steel Industry Bail Out/Subsidies/Protective tariffs = GOP
Timber Industry Bail Out Protective Tariffs = GOP

You're making a case that does not exist - that the "Left" has handicapped American Capitalism. The Socialist-state-run-economic measures listed above have all been pushed by the Right.

Originally posted by Bout Time
The impedements have all been Republican:

Airline BailOuts = GOP
AgroBusiness Bailout & Subsidies to NOT GROW = GOP
Steel Industry Bail Out/Subsidies/Protective tariffs = GOP
Timber Industry Bail Out Protective Tariffs = GOP

You're making a case that does not exist - that the "Left" has handicapped American Capitalism. The Socialist-state-run-economic measures listed above have all been pushed by the Right.

The left is very good at some things----blackmail is one of them. America is not 100 % Republican, only about 50 %, that means the lefties have lots of power----which they use to force their misguided ideals on the Right (knowing that the Right will get the blame).

The Right has a bit more of a majority starting in January and will attempt to clean up the left-wing shenanigans you keep bring up----but it will not be easy---the left is going to be squealing to high heaven.

My mistake. Happy Holidays!