- Capitalism and Alternatives -

Re: We don't live in Utopia

Posted by: Isaac ( USA ) on May 28, 1997 at 11:50:03:

In Reply to: Re: We don't live in Utopia posted by Ted on May 13, 1997 at 01:52:43:


: > How can you compare the fallout from a government beuracracy and poor social
: > structures to that of capitalism?

: It would be easier to reply if you were more specific. Let me remind
: you that capitalist corporations are every bit as "bureaucratic" as
: government entities. These corporate bureaucracies have their own
: fallout, such as environmental degradation, "downsizing", and increasingly harsh conditions of employment.

: Capitalism is Freedom. It is the drive for personal and econmic freedom.

: Freedom for the one percent of Americans who own forty percent of the
: wealth, perhaps. The rest of us under the thumbs of the bosses don't
: feel nearly so free.

* Well then move up and don't settle for mediocraty! That is the beauty and law of capitalism, survival of the fittest! And don't tell us that you can't move up because that is untrue and if you do, it is your fault and not the fault of capitalism.

: >> Most workers put in far more than they will ever get back. That is the
: >> definition of capitalism.

: > Are you crazy? Think about the founders of that business that you so condemn.

: You're not reading my arguments carefully. Leaving aside for a moment
: the fact that four out of five new businesses fail within two years,
: of course the founders of successful companies make out like thieves.
: My point was that most WORKERS will get little in return for helping
: the rich get richer.

* If the workers choose to make the rich richer, then that is their problem so go and talk with them. Tell them to stop the someone else when they should be looking out for themselves. That is the definition of capitalism.

: >> There are many well-educated people among the unemployed. Education and
: >> aptitude are no guarantees of success in capitalist society.

: > Good Point. We don't live in Utopia. As far as education, only the truely
: > ignorant would dismiss the power of knowledge.

: "We don't live in Utopia", "that's life", "deal with it" and other
: cliches are not intelligent responses to people who are concerned with
: the predatory nature of capitalism. Injustice, economic or otherwise,
: cannot be rationalized with pat answers.
: The power of education (as distinct from knowledge) is pretty meager
: compared to the power of capital. Ask any of the growing number of
: computer programmers, engineers and other technological workers who
: spent many years and thousands of dollars acquiring their skills, only
: to be replaced by workers from foreign countries who could be employed
: for less money.

* To achieve the power of capital, one must pocess determination, ambition, and skill in capitalism. And the ones who do pocess them are living a life sucess.

: >> The only right a worker has under capitalism is the right to choose
: >> a master. Once under the control of a boss, he or she no longer has
: >> any rights except those granted by the "superior". Workers are told
: >> when to show up, when to go home, and what to do in between. They are
: >> monitored, evaluated and disciplined. They are paid a small fraction
: >> of the value they produce for the boss. If they refuse the master's
: >> orders, they can be "fired" and the cycle begins again.

: > I think you should change jobs and watch Milton Freidman's series on
: > Freedom of Choice. This can be found at your state library.

: I'm well acquainted with Mr. Friedman and his laissez-faire philosophy,
: having read his books and watched his series, which was originally
: broadcast on PBS (an amusing irony). Perhaps you should acquaint
: yourself with the writings of John Rawls, Paul Samuelson, John
: Kenneth Galbraith and other economists who offer a different viewpoint.
: These are also at your public library, which incidentally is not a
: capitalist enterprise.

: >> Under this kind of near-total submission to authority, all talk of
: >> rights and freedoms is a cruel joke.

: > Alright, your right I think I will just go kill myself.

: No doubt some people can find happiness and meaning as slaves for
: capital, but others will always seek true freedom. And don't think
: about killing yourself--the corporations will do it for you and save
: you the trouble.

* Corporations will only kill you if you let them. If you CHOOSE to let, that is your choice. So do not complain to us about your choice to die. As I said before, in captialism and life, the game is survival of the fittest. And if you want to exceed in life, get fit.



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