CDZ What is Capitalism

[sakinago]

Our poor live better than most of the middle class of our southern neighbors.

That is mostly true. But in many of these countries, the government itself is placed in the marketplace--for sale to the highest bidder. And THAT is the direction that our political system has been heading for some 35 years.

And I can agree with that. Actually it's been headed that way for longer. Well it's been happening back and forth for a long time. I'm not saying our system is perfect right now, I don't think it is. But you have to recognize that it's been damn good, and even now it's still pretty good. Still plenty of room for improvement. Politicians and business men have been playing nice with each other for a long time, it is something that we need to guard against. But we need to guard ourselves from both the politician in search of power and the business men in search of power.

Yes. Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

And the best way to do that is to empower the individual. Have a government whose sole purpose is to empower the individual.

 

[TNHarley]

Humans are greedy. Capitalism is the only way to go, but with minor regulation. Monopolies and corporatist legislation does no one any good except the disgustingly rich.

A mixture of capitalism and communism is the way to go.

IDC what anyone says, communism has MANY good concepts to it. The only thing about communism is, we have 330 million people in this country. And 7 billion on the planet.. It just couldn't work..
Plus, communism and technology don't mix..

What do you mean communism and technology dont mix. I helped set up a city that has free wifi everywhere you go.

Communism calls for banishment of currency and non essentials.
A city with free wifi isn't communism lol

 

[sakinago]

We've been largely capitalistic for a while, and it's been quite practical, more than practical, beneficial. Or is our propensity for Nobel prizes just a fluke

American Leadership in Science, Measured in Nobel Prizes [Infographic]

Sorry world that our capitalism has raised the standard of living for all of you, and fed the globe. But I guess it isn't practical, because there are big corps not playing by the rules because our politicians let them. But blame the baby, not the bath water.

I'm curious as to how you related those two topics.

I relate them because much of our science, has been very wildly beneficial to the whole entire world. One big one (despite how you feel about this type of food) is GMOs. GMOs have wildly increased our ability to feed the masses. Not to mention, there are a lot of impoverished third world people out there walking around with android smartphones. Which is a product that 5 years ago wasn't even in the majority of Americans hands, is now affordable and improving the lives of those in 3rd world countries.

And they are why, slowly, every farmer is becoming a slave.

I can agree with you there too actually, but GMOs still have feed an insurmountable amount of starving children across the globe. More so than we could do before. And they have also kept many farmers in business, by keeping a steady stream of production despite unfavorable weather conditions that would have put them through some hard times

I think your attributing altruistic reasons where they arent really existing. If they were giving away the food I could see your point but in actuality they are just making money off starving kids. More marketing. No one stops to ask what are the results of those GMO in other countries. A population that cant feed itself and therefore dependent on the large corporations for more goods. Later down the road they are now a fresh market of consumers. Which oddly enough makes the corporations wealthier.

A. We are giving away A LOT of it
B. capitalism is a system where you increase wealth by providing a SERVICE to others at a price they deem worthy.

 

[Asclepias]

It's a nice theory. History shows it to be as impracticable as it's "opposite" --communism.

We've been largely capitalistic for a while, and it's been quite practical, more than practical, beneficial. Or is our propensity for Nobel prizes just a fluke

American Leadership in Science, Measured in Nobel Prizes [Infographic]

Sorry world that our capitalism has raised the standard of living for all of you, and fed the globe. But I guess it isn't practical, because there are big corps not playing by the rules because our politicians let them. But blame the baby, not the bath water.

I'm curious as to how you related those two topics.

I relate them because much of our science, has been very wildly beneficial to the whole entire world. One big one (despite how you feel about this type of food) is GMOs. GMOs have wildly increased our ability to feed the masses. Not to mention, there are a lot of impoverished third world people out there walking around with android smartphones. Which is a product that 5 years ago wasn't even in the majority of Americans hands, is now affordable and improving the lives of those in 3rd world countries.

Doesnt that "improving" and "beneficial" claim rest on perspective? I thought you were saying that capitalism was the reason that we had better scientist. I always thought it was because we were able to draw from different ethinic ways of thinking to become more creative.

Was that the case in the renaissance period??? No it was a shift in more freedom from the select few in govt and religious circles, to the individuals themselves that ushered humanity into an explosion of art and science.

Yes it was the case if youre talking about the european renaissance. That was jump started by the Moors.

 

[Asclepias]

Humans are greedy. Capitalism is the only way to go, but with minor regulation. Monopolies and corporatist legislation does no one any good except the disgustingly rich.

A mixture of capitalism and communism is the way to go.

IDC what anyone says, communism has MANY good concepts to it. The only thing about communism is, we have 330 million people in this country. And 7 billion on the planet.. It just couldn't work..
Plus, communism and technology don't mix..

What do you mean communism and technology dont mix. I helped set up a city that has free wifi everywhere you go.

Communism calls for banishment of currency and non essentials.
A city with free wifi isn't communism lol

A city with free wifi is definitely communism. Its a service owned by the "state" for the benefit of the people.

 

[Asclepias]

I'm curious as to how you related those two topics.

I relate them because much of our science, has been very wildly beneficial to the whole entire world. One big one (despite how you feel about this type of food) is GMOs. GMOs have wildly increased our ability to feed the masses. Not to mention, there are a lot of impoverished third world people out there walking around with android smartphones. Which is a product that 5 years ago wasn't even in the majority of Americans hands, is now affordable and improving the lives of those in 3rd world countries.

And they are why, slowly, every farmer is becoming a slave.

I can agree with you there too actually, but GMOs still have feed an insurmountable amount of starving children across the globe. More so than we could do before. And they have also kept many farmers in business, by keeping a steady stream of production despite unfavorable weather conditions that would have put them through some hard times

I think your attributing altruistic reasons where they arent really existing. If they were giving away the food I could see your point but in actuality they are just making money off starving kids. More marketing. No one stops to ask what are the results of those GMO in other countries. A population that cant feed itself and therefore dependent on the large corporations for more goods. Later down the road they are now a fresh market of consumers. Which oddly enough makes the corporations wealthier.

A. We are giving away A LOT of it
B. capitalism is a system where you increase wealth by providing a SERVICE to others at a price they deem worthy.

No someone is buying it and giving it away. The people that are benefiting financially are not giving it away.
I know what capitalism is.

 

[TNHarley]

Humans are greedy. Capitalism is the only way to go, but with minor regulation. Monopolies and corporatist legislation does no one any good except the disgustingly rich.

A mixture of capitalism and communism is the way to go.

IDC what anyone says, communism has MANY good concepts to it. The only thing about communism is, we have 330 million people in this country. And 7 billion on the planet.. It just couldn't work..
Plus, communism and technology don't mix..

What do you mean communism and technology dont mix. I helped set up a city that has free wifi everywhere you go.

Communism calls for banishment of currency and non essentials.
A city with free wifi isn't communism lol

A city with free wifi is definitely communism. Its a service owned by the "state" for the benefit of the people.

Ever hear of socialism?
Communism, in its purest form, is stateless.

 

[Agit8r]

Humans are greedy. Capitalism is the only way to go, but with minor regulation. Monopolies and corporatist legislation does no one any good except the disgustingly rich.

A mixture of capitalism and communism is the way to go.

IDC what anyone says, communism has MANY good concepts to it. The only thing about communism is, we have 330 million people in this country. And 7 billion on the planet.. It just couldn't work..
Plus, communism and technology don't mix..

What do you mean communism and technology dont mix. I helped set up a city that has free wifi everywhere you go.

Communism calls for banishment of currency and non essentials.
A city with free wifi isn't communism lol

A city with free wifi is definitely communism. Its a service owned by the "state" for the benefit of the people.

In all fairness, I don't think anyone thinks of hydroelectric dams being communism... well, some Galt Gulchers perhaps...

 

[Asclepias]

A mixture of capitalism and communism is the way to go.

IDC what anyone says, communism has MANY good concepts to it. The only thing about communism is, we have 330 million people in this country. And 7 billion on the planet.. It just couldn't work..
Plus, communism and technology don't mix..

What do you mean communism and technology dont mix. I helped set up a city that has free wifi everywhere you go.

Communism calls for banishment of currency and non essentials.
A city with free wifi isn't communism lol

A city with free wifi is definitely communism. Its a service owned by the "state" for the benefit of the people.

Ever hear of socialism?
Communism, in its purest form, is stateless.

Yes. I have heard of socialism. Thats a pretty cool system.

No communism is not stateless.
communism

"
1. A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization oflabor for the common advantage of all members.
2. Communism
a. A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarianparty holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally sharedby the people.
b. The Marxist-Leninist doctrine advocating revolution to overthrow the capitalist system and establish adictatorship of the proletariat that will eventually evolve into a perfectly egalitarian and communal society."

 

[Asclepias]

A mixture of capitalism and communism is the way to go.

IDC what anyone says, communism has MANY good concepts to it. The only thing about communism is, we have 330 million people in this country. And 7 billion on the planet.. It just couldn't work..
Plus, communism and technology don't mix..

What do you mean communism and technology dont mix. I helped set up a city that has free wifi everywhere you go.

Communism calls for banishment of currency and non essentials.
A city with free wifi isn't communism lol

A city with free wifi is definitely communism. Its a service owned by the "state" for the benefit of the people.

In all fairness, I don't think anyone thinks of hydroelectric dams being communism... well, some Galt Gulchers perhaps...

Of course not here in the US. Its like claiming someone is pedophile so they pretend its not communism.

 

[320 Years of History]

A mixture of capitalism and communism is the way to go.

Well, that would be called China, at least to the extent China can rightly be seen as still aiming to arrive at communism.

Mind you, if you spend much time in China, you'll find there's a lot to like about it. I can't say much about the political process there, but living there is quite a pleasurable experience, at least I find it so. I say that only to note that living under/in an environment like one of China's enterprise zones.

 

[westwall]

Capitalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


"apitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.[1][2][3] Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets.[4][5] In a capitalist market economy, decision-making and investment is determined by the owners of the factors of production in financial and capital markets, and prices and the distribution of goods are mainly determined by competition in the market"


Glad to help.

It's a nice theory. History shows it to be as impracticable as it's "opposite" --communism.

No, HIstory shows that Capitalism kicks ass and produces vast wealth.

This is true. It makes a few wealthy beyond belief and kicks the ass of the masses

Untrue. Prior to capitalism there was no middle class. There were the poor and the elite. The middle class owes its very existence to capitalism.

 

[Correll]

A mixture of capitalism and communism is the way to go.

Well, that would be called China, at least to the extent China can rightly be seen as still aiming to arrive at communism.

Mind you, if you spend much time in China, you'll find there's a lot to like about it. I can't say much about the political process there, but living there is quite a pleasurable experience, at least I find it so. I say that only to note that living under/in an environment like one of China's enterprise zones.

HOwever that is a artificial and temporary situation created by the enormous flow of wealth created by massive, unsustainable trade surpluses.

 

[Agit8r]

Capitalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


"apitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.[1][2][3] Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets.[4][5] In a capitalist market economy, decision-making and investment is determined by the owners of the factors of production in financial and capital markets, and prices and the distribution of goods are mainly determined by competition in the market"


Glad to help.

It's a nice theory. History shows it to be as impracticable as it's "opposite" --communism.

No, HIstory shows that Capitalism kicks ass and produces vast wealth.

This is true. It makes a few wealthy beyond belief and kicks the ass of the masses

Untrue. Prior to capitalism there was no middle class. There were the poor and the elite. The middle class owes its very existence to capitalism.

Well, sorta. It owes it to republicanism (aka liberal democracy) --the partial abolition of hereditary power.

 

[Asclepias]

Capitalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


"apitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.[1][2][3] Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets.[4][5] In a capitalist market economy, decision-making and investment is determined by the owners of the factors of production in financial and capital markets, and prices and the distribution of goods are mainly determined by competition in the market"


Glad to help.

It's a nice theory. History shows it to be as impracticable as it's "opposite" --communism.

No, HIstory shows that Capitalism kicks ass and produces vast wealth.

This is true. It makes a few wealthy beyond belief and kicks the ass of the masses

Untrue. Prior to capitalism there was no middle class. There were the poor and the elite. The middle class owes its very existence to capitalism.

There is no middle class. Thats just a label they made up to convince you to keep working and buying their products. Its all part of the keeping up with the Jones mentality. if you are not wealthy then you are poor. If you dont believe me try paying for your home without a job.

 

[Agit8r]

Capitalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


"apitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.[1][2][3] Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets.[4][5] In a capitalist market economy, decision-making and investment is determined by the owners of the factors of production in financial and capital markets, and prices and the distribution of goods are mainly determined by competition in the market"


Glad to help.

It's a nice theory. History shows it to be as impracticable as it's "opposite" --communism.

No, HIstory shows that Capitalism kicks ass and produces vast wealth.

This is true. It makes a few wealthy beyond belief and kicks the ass of the masses

Untrue. Prior to capitalism there was no middle class. There were the poor and the elite. The middle class owes its very existence to capitalism.

There is no middle class. Thats just a label they made up to convince you to keep working and buying their products. Its all part of the keeping up with the Jones mentality. if you are not wealthy then you are poor. If you dont believe me try paying for your home without a job.

Certainly the term "Middle Class" has changed considerably over the centuries.

 

[Correll]

It's a nice theory. History shows it to be as impracticable as it's "opposite" --communism.

No, HIstory shows that Capitalism kicks ass and produces vast wealth.

This is true. It makes a few wealthy beyond belief and kicks the ass of the masses

Untrue. Prior to capitalism there was no middle class. There were the poor and the elite. The middle class owes its very existence to capitalism.

There is no middle class. Thats just a label they made up to convince you to keep working and buying their products. Its all part of the keeping up with the Jones mentality. if you are not wealthy then you are poor. If you dont believe me try paying for your home without a job.

Certainly the term "Middle Class" has changed considerably over the centuries.

American capitalism has created a large and prosperous Middle Class.

 

[Agit8r]

No, HIstory shows that Capitalism kicks ass and produces vast wealth.

This is true. It makes a few wealthy beyond belief and kicks the ass of the masses

Untrue. Prior to capitalism there was no middle class. There were the poor and the elite. The middle class owes its very existence to capitalism.

There is no middle class. Thats just a label they made up to convince you to keep working and buying their products. Its all part of the keeping up with the Jones mentality. if you are not wealthy then you are poor. If you dont believe me try paying for your home without a job.

Certainly the term "Middle Class" has changed considerably over the centuries.

American capitalism has created a large and prosperous Middle Class.

What is called middle class today, is surprisingly hand-to-mouth. The disposable nature of the bulk of their assets does leave them quite at the mercy of the monied interests, should their plans face any setbacks.

More still, if their liabilities go underwater.

 

[westwall]

This is true. It makes a few wealthy beyond belief and kicks the ass of the masses

Untrue. Prior to capitalism there was no middle class. There were the poor and the elite. The middle class owes its very existence to capitalism.

There is no middle class. Thats just a label they made up to convince you to keep working and buying their products. Its all part of the keeping up with the Jones mentality. if you are not wealthy then you are poor. If you dont believe me try paying for your home without a job.

Certainly the term "Middle Class" has changed considerably over the centuries.

American capitalism has created a large and prosperous Middle Class.

What is called middle class today, is surprisingly hand-to-mouth. The disposable nature of the bulk of their assets does leave them quite at the mercy of the monied interests, should their plans face any setbacks.

More still, if their liabilities go underwater.

Yes, it is. And you can thank the Democrats for that. In 1932 according to a Communist Party newspaper I own, the wealthiest 2% of this countries population controlled 76% of the nations wealth. Then, Democrats took over both Houses of Congress for 40 continuous years, and they controlled the presidency for a good portion of that time as well.

The result of all of that Democrat rule was the wealthiest ONE percent now control 90 percent of this nations wealth. So, who were the Dems working for? Because they clearly weren't working for the middle class.

 

[westwall]

Capitalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


"apitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.[1][2][3] Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets.[4][5] In a capitalist market economy, decision-making and investment is determined by the owners of the factors of production in financial and capital markets, and prices and the distribution of goods are mainly determined by competition in the market"


Glad to help.

It's a nice theory. History shows it to be as impracticable as it's "opposite" --communism.

No, HIstory shows that Capitalism kicks ass and produces vast wealth.

This is true. It makes a few wealthy beyond belief and kicks the ass of the masses

Untrue. Prior to capitalism there was no middle class. There were the poor and the elite. The middle class owes its very existence to capitalism.

There is no middle class. Thats just a label they made up to convince you to keep working and buying their products. Its all part of the keeping up with the Jones mentality. if you are not wealthy then you are poor. If you dont believe me try paying for your home without a job.

What? You have no will of your own? You are not capable of saying "I don't need that new TV?" Just wondering when personal responsibility kicks in or are all of you just infants with no will of your own?