Capitalism needs to focus on the greater good

[sme]

Quote from zdreg:

the above happens in mixed economies because the government interferes with the free market.

Agree.

I try to view things on a spectrum. The eternal battle of capitalism versus socialism. A pendulum that swings back and forth.

I'd argue Somalia is a very capitalist society.

American capitalism is less so, but the buffer (government/socialism side) is co-opted by large business interests.

Many smaller business -> generally good
Fewer larger business -> generally bad

 

[FireWalker]

Capitalism is asking permission for cash.

"Competition is a sin" - Rockefeller

Knock the competition out before it gets to you. Prevent access to capital.

 

[Random.Capital]

Quote from FireWalker:

"Competition is a sin" - Rockefeller

This is exactly it. Government gets involved because "capitalists" want it to get involved - it's another tool to lessen their own competition.

 

[bugscoe]

Quote from Random.Capital:

This is exactly it. Government gets involved because "capitalists" want it to get involved - it's another tool to lessen their own competition.

And why does government want to get involved?

 

[Random.Capital]

Quote from bugscoe:

And why does government want to get involved?

Because the individuals in "the government" are, one way or another, paid to do so.

It is a mistake to think in terms of what "the government" wants. "The government" doesn't want anything at all - it's the people comprising "the government" that want something.

And what they mostly want is to suck up to the wealthy, so some of the gold rubs off on them.

It's the golden rule.

 

[bugscoe]

Quote from Random.Capital:

Because the individuals in "the government" are, one way or another, paid to do so.

It is a mistake to think in terms of what "the government" wants. "The government" doesn't want anything at all - it's the people comprising "the government" that want something.

And what they mostly want is to suck up to the wealthy, so some of the gold rubs off on them.

It's the golden rule.

Government IS people and the government wants absolute power over all the people not in it. Just like a major corp wants the competition eliminated. Marry the two and we have the problems we have now. Crony BS. The most front and center example is Solyndra.

It begins and ends with the government. The market can easily take care of businesses and corps when it's left alone to do so.

 

[Random.Capital]

Quote from bugscoe:

It begins and ends with the government.

It begins and ends with people. "Crony capitalism" is in our genes - we ALL do it.

 

[FireWalker]

Quote from Random.Capital:

It begins and ends with people. "Crony capitalism" is in our genes - we ALL do it.

Not all. Some are cutthroat and those people tend towards fighting their way into hierarchical positions. IE. boobie and penis-shaped buildings.

 

[Random.Capital]

Quote from FireWalker:

Not all.

Yes, all.

We all give preferential treatment to friends and family in financial transactions.

That is the walking talking definition of crony capitalism - the only difference between that and lobbying DC is one of scale.

It's in our nature to do so.

 

[Ghost of Cutten]

Capitalism does focus on the greater good, just indirectly by handsomely rewarding those who most efficiently provide what society most desires. By contrast, socialism rewards those who steal from others and produce little. The only requirement is to tweak the system so people don't get rewarded for destroying value - for example via huge bank bailouts, industry subsidies, union and public sector sweetheart pensions and salaries unaffordable under present tax revenues, expensive and immoral foreign wars, destroying liberties and so on.

People are occupying Wall Street because they lost money then stole from the taxpayers to bail themselves out - aka corporate socialist welfare.