I AM a capitalist - an investor actually, and in point of fact I have been a vocal opponent of certain stock options deals that I've seen doled out to the uninvolved, like board members, for example. For executives, on the other hand, stock options can be a very effective motivator.
In this case, we don't know how Gore come into these options. He might have bought them (well, it is possible) as likely as not. If the options were provided by Apple as part of his compensation as a board member, then I would not have approved, were I an investor in Apple. But, I'm not, and therefore it is not a matter of concern for me.
Me, too. Actually, even though retired, I possess significant options in a Canadian listed company, granted to me as part compensation in my capacity as a consultant.
However, when options are granted to those who bring to the table only their government connections, I have trouble justifying this ethically.
Just as all real world socialism is some form of national socialism, so all real world capitalist systems turn out to be some form of crony capitalism. This is all a matter of particular historical and intellectual interest to me, whatever the shyster-crafted legalities might detail.