Posted on 07/18/2003 4:22:53 AM PDT by Theodore R.
They should be forced to stay here and do what we tell them to instead of what will be best for themselves. Don't they ever think of the people?!! No not them. They only think of themselves and their evil shareholders. Wicked greedy capitalists!!!
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We have to stop allowing economics to be used as a trump card. Capitalism is like math. It is amoral. It is good at producing wealth; it's bad at distributing wealth. Unless it operates within a moral framework it will produce an unjust society.
Regards
J.R.
What a moron!
Wow
What a compelling argument. You really destroyed Reese's premise.
Regards
J.R.
Since when is the distribution of wealth important? Did monarchies evenly distribute wealth? Did communism evenly distribute wealth? Have dictators ensured the even distribution of wealth?
Stealing from the pockets of the productive to pay for the needs of the unproductive is pure solicialistic BS. Profit based decision making may be imperfect in a socialist based world view, but it sure supplies all of us with jobs. It also provides opportunities to those who are willing to invest, work hard, and take risks.
Who defines the moral framework referred to? Liberals? Anarchists? How about leaving the definition of the moral framework to those who earned the profit. The fabric of American history is replete with rich philanthropists, religion based charities, and neighbors helping neighbors. Evil capitalists are the poor man's best friend. The turnover in the lowest paid quartile is huge. Those that are poor and don't want to be poor are constantly moving up. Those that are poor and don't care are the minority.
What a false dilemma. I work for a company that's bleeding money as fast as they can raise it. They're trying to move manufacturing to the far east to merely break even, not make "excessive profit." If that doesn't work then we all lose paychecks here in the states, period, not "profit." It's not about outsourcing low dollar manufacturing to save my white coller design job, it's about mere survival against everyone else.
My issue is with the idea that it is fair for someone who does less than me (as determined by the consensus estimate of our contribution), to get more than me. this is just a feeble attempt at making people feel guilty about making decisions about benefitting themselves when the result manifests change for others. It's a socialist's argument about the definition of morality.
And by the way, ask any socialist what constitutes an "unjust society" and you should get a better idea of what a slippery slope you're on when you take merit out of the compensation equation. Of those high paid laborers who lose their jobs, the best will get better jobs, and be much better off because they'll also get the benefit of lower prices. The worst of them will go on to complain about the immoral fat cats, and live off public assistance.
What utter crap. The people and companies producing the most profits get the most benefit - that sounds like a damn good distribution system to me.
Regarding the evils of the 19th century robber barons it should be noted that it was the government that helped them become all they were. Lincoln and the Republican party established corporate welfare as policy i.e. government funds "helping" private businesses for the general public good. Part two of that is that the close relationship of government and these corporations once established bloomed into government favoring special interests over the general welfare. Governors - bought and paid for used the power of the state - police and national guard to come down on the side of large business in labor disputes for example. One further point is that the large influx of immigration floaded the labor pool so business could dictate harsh working terms and low wages to workers - if you don't like it there are plenty of others who need the work. No question that human nature is corrupt but government is not a fair arbitor - it is run by people who like everyone else are corrupt by nature. Government is force and nothing else. That force has been allowed to be harnessed by corporate interests and that is why the founders knew the answer is more freedom and less government in all things. Things are a mess because we discarded the wisdom of the founders.
BTTT. Too many 'free market capitalists' forget this part...
You make some excellent points but, as is always necessary, you leave out a lot of good points, too. First, in addition to being corrupt human nature is also good. It depends on which nature is nourished throughout life that determines which prevails. The spiritual side, as opposed to the physical side, of human nature is just as natural and more conducive to harmonious interaction when nourished.
Secondly, free enterprise, a.k.a. capitalism, has the unique ability to transform the selfish interests of the individual into a common good for all. The market is self-regulating and the abuses of one side (labor, management, costs, price, etc.) are soon mitigated by fluctuations in supply and demand. When government interferes with this natural market interaction the system breaks down. I am not in favor of unrestricted "Buyer Beware" but as long as government prevents the big 'uns from eating the little 'uns that is about all it can safely do.
When Charlie Reese was with the Orlando Sentinel I enjoyed most of his columns. Since then I find more I disagree with than agree.
Thanks for the compliment. I'm not beyond the sin of pride - it makes me feel good - I like it.
>but, as is always necessary, you leave out a lot of good points, too
always necessary??? Like I have a pattern you've noticed? I do not sinisterly disregard facts for political purposes. Anything left out of my comments are either for the sake of brevity or an honest oversight.
>in addition to being corrupt human nature is also good.
definition of an honest politician: a politician who once bought stays bought.
>as long as government prevents the big 'uns from eating the little 'uns
The problem with our system socialism or fascism (same thing only different - which are we?) is that the wealthy and powerful use government to secure contracts, protection and funding for themselves and to cripple the little guy. How does one get government to fix the problem that it has created itself? How about limiting government and enforcing the principle "all men are treated equally under the law" meaning laws (like once covering taxes, exports, imports, subsides, etc.) apply to everyone period, without exemptions, loopholes.
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