Capitalists - you really don't see a problem?

It seems capitalists see no problems with a huge amount of wealth in the hands of few people.

The Koch brothers fund wars in the middle east.

Walmart workers collect food stamps and other government benefits.

Big pharma and big agriculture literally dictate what you will put into your body unless you grow your own food, herbs, etc... , not caring about the harmful side effects, or caring about what's actually effective or healthy.

We've lost a huge amount of manufacturing jobs over seas, profit margins weren't good enough when someone wants to be able to feed their family off the wages.

The fast food industry is no longer a part time after school job for most - these are now jobs people are having to work while supporting their family, yet they are continuously degraded for being in that job..

Less degrees are being applied towards their fields, so college doesn't even give the promise of careers like it used to.. While we're on the topic, isn't it crazy how much tuition is, and how bad student debt it?

You can blame specific people, companies, or the government but what it comes down to is this is the type of thing that happens in a money-centric nation (capitalistic) - it's inevitable that with huge amounts of money, there is a huge amount of corruption.

But keep on keeping on capitalists, those trillionaires need you to defend them, their wars, slave trades, etc. Good job!

As if having a dictator control ALL the money would be better.
Why don't you come up with a better system and pitch it to everyone here, instead of cherry picking problems with how things are run now.
Capitalism is not perfect, but just may be the best way to run things. Free market baby.

I agree, but it's not just limited to capitalism, it extends to all forms of economy. Humans are greedy and no matter what system is in place we will always find a way to take advantage of it for our own benefit even at the expense of others. That's human nature when money is involved, we want to be happy and we find happiness in material possessions for the most part.

What gets on my nerves are those who think one economic system is better than others when that is flat out wrong for the reasons I mentioned above. People will ALWAYS find a way to corrupt a system to their personal benefit.

a reply to: o0oTOPCATo0o

but just may be the best way to run things

No it's not. America is right up there with the most corrupt political/economic systems in the world. You're not thinking clearly if you believe capitalism is the best system. They all suck, they all benefit those who have the most money/influence.

a reply to: o0oTOPCATo0o

Tell me how Switzerland, France, Germany, Norway.... Show me their evil dictators and how they are using money to kill in foreign countries, or putting all types of chemicals in their food, water, etc.

I'll wait. Show me something credible proving to me that our quality of life, in the richest nation in the world, is as high as a place like Switzerland.

originally posted by: o0oTOPCATo0o
As if having a dictator control ALL the money would be better.
Why don't you come up with a better system and pitch it to everyone here, instead of cherry picking problems with how things are run now.
Capitalism is not perfect, but just may be the best way to run things. Free market baby.

"Free market baby."

A market so free that us mere peon taxpayers are forced to pay for the reckless behaviors of monetary behemoths and bail them out, with no consent from said taxpayers?

As if the only alternative to capitalism is having a dictator "control ALL the money."

What is our national deficit at again? Or is this somehow considered "cherry-picking," as well?

The free market myth is a myth. With legislation such as ALEC/TPP, the '08 bailouts, how can anyone possibly believe we live in a free market? It's like saying that money doesn't matter in presidential auctions lol.

I wonder what percentage of the world's population would jump at the chance to live in America's capitalistic poverty?

a reply to: deadlyhope

Capitalism... so free that you could actually buy your competition and disband it, and be called a cultural hero.

a reply to: 3NL1GHT3N3D1

I definitely agree - adaptation is key. Perhaps collectivist socialism would work for a while, but then libertarian leaning towards anarchy would have to be implemented for a whie. While my suggestions are not an exact science and may come off as crazy at first, I really think switching things up is good for everyone. Politicians and corporations can't get too comfortable under one system for too long, and different people will thrive if different ideas are implemented and shown as the best for the people over time.

a reply to: Bluntone22

Not a good argument. I'm talking about first world nations, pointing out that we are the richest and should have the biggest middle class in the world with all the money we have here. We are not Africa, stop bringing up arguments comparing us to them, it doesn't benefit anyone.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
I wonder what percentage of the world's population would jump at the chance to live in America's capitalistic poverty?

Appeal to emotion fallacious argument, albeit there is a truth to be found there.

It's like when talking about McDonalds "food," products and someone (of course) has to play the emotional heartstring card, "DA STARVING CHILDREN N AFRICA WOULDNT CARE BOUT GMO's," it is truly such an effective means to stifle conversation using guilt tactics.

And to answer your question, they're called "illegal immigrants," and people want them to pay for and build a wall to keep them out.

a reply to: Bluntone22

Oh, not to mention that America could handle a lot more immigration if jobs were kept here. If we had trade pacts that didn't favor multi national corporations, but rather were for the people and our interests... If America produced goods for America, we could handle a multiplied amount of our population - albeit, it wouldn't be good to try to cram everyone into huge cities. Huge cities are huge problems.

a reply to: deadlyhope

You really don't understand what free market capitalism is, do you?

All the problems you mention are the result of government interference in the market.

You cannot attempt to control a system that thrives on chaos.

a reply to: RomeByFire

"Free market baby." 

A market so free that us mere peon taxpayers are forced to pay for the reckless behaviors of monetary behemoths and bail them out, with no consent from said taxpayers? 

^ not free market

a reply to: deadlyhope

Capitalists like capitalism because they are either well off because of it or hope to become rich one day from it. They refuse to see the people that capitalism has hurt in the past and the people it continues to hurt today.

The middle class is shrinking and bills are becoming harder and harder to pay all because of capitalist corporations not paying workers enough because of profit and greed and because of those same corporations paying for legislation that benefits them and hurts the little guy.

When profit is the sole motivating factor within an economic system then poverty will always be the end result. Capitalism is all about profit, not the well being of those who hold the system up through their labor.

a reply to: rockintitz

Those words... Free market capitalism. Let's talk about fairies, and unicorns while we are at it.

I am all for a free market, I'm not against it at all!

The reality though... Corporations will always see what politicians can do for them, and politicians will always do the same. They will always become best friends. It's inevitable in a market such as ours. Do you really think regulations were just made up by government in every case? Or do you think it might just be possible regulations were created by huge corporations to drive out competition?

Both the pot and the kettle are at play here, and they are both black. Money causes corruption, and seeks to serve itself. This applies to the government, and to corporations.

You think Comunism is better? at least you can get rich if you work hard and have a streak of luck...

a reply to: rockintitz

We don't practice free market capitalism and it's likely we never will again - some argue we did several decades ago, but talks of free market capitalism are just as fantasy as talks of socialist utopias

a reply to: Bluntone22

I wonder what percentage of the world's population would jump at the chance to live in America's capitalistic poverty?

And I would wonder at what percentage of the world's population would NOT jump at the chance to live in America's capitalistic poverty.

And what do all the people of the world even know about life in America. I would bet that most of it is what they can gather from US, propagandistic television and movies. The idea that US media propaganda is aimed only at US citizens is highly over rated.

a reply to: Substracto

I have yet to see anyone provide the evidence that the quality of life is worse in countries like Switzerland, new Zealand, etc....

I guess one thing to consider is America has more money per capita than them, so we should technically be able to do better than them.