Enjoy Capitalism

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Comments

  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    it's an obviously unfair, and pathetically simplistic assessment b/c 1. it plays on emotions through sensationalism, but more importantly 2. it implies that capitalism is a zero sum game when it's not...

    the image implies that the child on the right is starving b/c of captialism of the west, which is laughable. he is starving b/c of the corruption of their own government, which hasn't adopted capitalism itself...so I would argue, the child is starving b/c of a lack of capitalism.

    C'mon, man, you can't argue the simplistic message, then, argue such simplistic BS yourself. :)

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  • Purple HawkPurple Hawk Posts: 1,300
    Some socialist countries are doing quite well.

    Really? Last I saw, France...freaking FRANCE :) elected a right wing whack job...

    I never thought i'd be envious of the French :)
    And you ask me what I want this year
    And I try to make this kind and clear
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
    Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
    And desire and love and empty things
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
  • Purple HawkPurple Hawk Posts: 1,300
    gue_barium wrote:
    C'mon, man, you can't argue the simplistic message, then, argue such simplistic BS yourself. :)

    so you admit it's a simplistic message!

    not denying my BS was equally simplistic though :)
    And you ask me what I want this year
    And I try to make this kind and clear
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
    Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
    And desire and love and empty things
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    so you admit it's a simplistic message!

    not denying my BS was equally simplistic though :)

    Cool.

    Can you do better?

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • lucylespianlucylespian Posts: 2,403
    hsewif wrote:
    I question your war angle, I will research it at a later time. I read a few things earlier tonight and they all pointed towards climate, population (specifically over-crowding) and a search for a better environment overall.

    I will welcome your research, as I am gogin off stuff I read a while ago, and am certialy too laxy to look for references meself.

    If is is natural conditions that is to blame, as you say, HTF does that have ANYTHING to do with capitalism ?????

    Famine is just mother nature at work, doing a littel population control.

    Peopple think MOther Nature is a knid woman in a nice dress with flowers in her hair and a tendency to cuddle littel furry critters, but really, she is a cold-faced bitch who cares not a whit for any individual.
    Don't wait for her to care aboot teh littel kiddies !!
    Music is not a competetion.
  • El_KabongEl_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    hsewif wrote:
    I don't understand how capitalism plays a part in all of this. Because McDonalds is a business that hopes to make a profit every day, they are bad? (Or coca-cola, etc.... any business, really).

    when that company (such as coca-cola) privatizes the water in a foreign country making it illegal for the ppl who actually live there to even collect rain water....then yes, they ARE bad, in my opinion

    it's HOW they make a profit i have concern w/

    hsewif wrote:
    I actually read the entire wikipedia entry on capitalism. I don't see why it's THAT bad. People should be accountable for their own actions in a free society... to blame the government for people not being responsible doesn't make sense.

    what about when we prop up a corrupt government who opens up their natural resources to privitization? like, was it bolivia(?) where they let us privatize their water and their water bills shot up several 100%...now, is that the fault of the ppl who got the bill or the greedy ppl in power who did it?
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    I will welcome your research, as I am gogin off stuff I read a while ago, and am certialy too laxy to look for references meself.

    If is is natural conditions that is to blame, as you say, HTF does that have ANYTHING to do with capitalism ?????

    Famine is just mother nature at work, doing a littel population control.

    Peopple think MOther Nature is a knid woman in a nice dress with flowers in her hair and a tendency to cuddle littel furry critters, but really, she is a cold-faced bitch who cares not a whit for any individual.
    Don't wait for her to care aboot teh littel kiddies !!

    I know how to be one with the Wilderness. Most people in this day and age have lost that. They've scorned wilderness as something to be feared, to stay away from instead of living in peace with.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • Purple HawkPurple Hawk Posts: 1,300
    gue_barium wrote:
    Cool.

    Can you do better?

    Ask that question to the person who made this snappy "ad." Are there any capitalist governments in Africa? Would introducing capitalism to them help?

    I can't do better until it's recognized that capitalism isn't a zero sum game...I'm not sure that's going to fly when people can't understand that tax cuts actually lead to more govt income....but why study economics when you can prey on emotion.

    I would argue that debt forgiveness is one of the biggest causes of starvation in Africa. Bono and the Pope mean well, but it encourages corrupt leaders to become more corrupt.
    And you ask me what I want this year
    And I try to make this kind and clear
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
    Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
    And desire and love and empty things
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    I will welcome your research, as I am gogin off stuff I read a while ago, and am certialy too laxy to look for references meself.

    If is is natural conditions that is to blame, as you say, HTF does that have ANYTHING to do with capitalism ?????

    Famine is just mother nature at work, doing a littel population control.

    Peopple think MOther Nature is a knid woman in a nice dress with flowers in her hair and a tendency to cuddle littel furry critters, but really, she is a cold-faced bitch who cares not a whit for any individual.
    Don't wait for her to care aboot teh littel kiddies !!

    Famine is a population relegated to starve by it's own species.

    It's no wonder you find gluttony at the other end of the spectrum.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • El_KabongEl_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    The problem is that under socialist systems, there stops being wealth to distribute. Completely socialist/communist countries all wind up dirt poor. Heavily socialised countries wind up very unhappy.
    Capitsalist sountries are not perfect, but there is more opportunity.


    and what happens to countries w/ free market capitalism? oh...they wind up deeper in debt and even worse off than they were before :(

    in fact, was it chile or brazil that went back to a socialist or something form of government and actually started pulling themselves out?
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • El_KabongEl_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    Which ones ??

    Sweden etc are "heavily socialised", not socialist. Without being an expert, depression and alcoholism rates are very high, according to folk I have met from there.


    and the acloholism rate is low here??
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • Purple HawkPurple Hawk Posts: 1,300
    El_Kabong wrote:
    hsewif wrote:
    I don't understand how capitalism plays a part in all of this. Because McDonalds is a business that hopes to make a profit every day, they are bad? (Or coca-cola, etc.... any business, really).[/quote[

    when that company (such as coca-cola) privatizes the water in a foreign country making it illegal for the ppl who actually live there to even collect rain water....then yes, they ARE bad, in my opinion

    it's HOW they make a profit i have concern w/




    what about when we prop up a corrupt government who opens up their natural resources to privitization? like, was it bolivia(?) where they let us privatize their water and their water bills shot up several 100%...now, is that the fault of the ppl who got the bill or the greedy ppl in power who did it?


    sorry EK...I'm being a prick...but you gotta stop it with the "ppl" :)
    And you ask me what I want this year
    And I try to make this kind and clear
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
    Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
    And desire and love and empty things
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
  • El_KabongEl_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    it's an obviously unfair, and pathetically simplistic assessment b/c 1. it plays on emotions through sensationalism, but more importantly 2. it implies that capitalism is a zero sum game when it's not...

    the image implies that the child on the right is starving b/c of captialism of the west, which is laughable. he is starving b/c of the corruption of their own government, which hasn't adopted capitalism itself...so I would argue, the child is starving b/c of a lack of capitalism.

    is it our fault that over 1/2 of the 3rd world buys it's guns from us? is it our fault over 1/2 of these places use our weapons while doing those things? if i owned a gun store and sold a gun to a known rapist and actually knew he was buying the guns to rape more ppl....somethings tells me i'd have some blame in whoever he rapes using my guns
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    Ask that question to the person who made this snappy "ad." Are there any capitalist governments in Africa? Would introducing capitalism to them help?

    I can't do better until it's recognized that capitalism isn't a zero sum game...I'm not sure that's going to fly when people can't understand that tax cuts actually lead to more govt income....but why study economics when you can prey on emotion.

    I would argue that debt forgiveness is one of the biggest causes of starvation in Africa. Bono and the Pope mean well, but it encourages corrupt leaders to become more corrupt.

    I think capitalism as principal is what is being misunderstood here.
    Capitalistic opportunism created through violence and the suffering of others doesn't have anything to do with the how the checks and balances of a free market society are run. People attribute it to capitalistic principles, but warmongering for profit is something else altogether, to me.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • lucylespianlucylespian Posts: 2,403
    gue_barium wrote:
    Famine is a population relegated to starve by it's own species.

    It's no wonder you find gluttony at the other end of the spectrum.

    And as I pointed out, everything in the world will have a spectrum described by a bell curve.

    All that original pic is , is the extremes of the curve.
    If "normal" can be defined as within 2 or 3 standad deviations from the mean, both those kids clearly lie beyond that at either end, but sadly, you actually must have those extremes for the whole system to exist. It is inescapable !! To pretend otherwise is to try to re-define the Universe. (Fuck, I sound like ahnimus now)
    It's also true that any individual's worst enemy is another member of it's own species. Nothing else competes quite as precisely for the resources you need and have access to.
    Music is not a competetion.
  • El_KabongEl_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    Ask that question to the person who made this snappy "ad." Are there any capitalist governments in Africa? Would introducing capitalism to them help?

    I can't do better until it's recognized that capitalism isn't a zero sum game...I'm not sure that's going to fly when people can't understand that tax cuts actually lead to more govt income....but why study economics when you can prey on emotion.

    I would argue that debt forgiveness is one of the biggest causes of starvation in Africa. Bono and the Pope mean well, but it encourages corrupt leaders to become more corrupt.


    and our guns ensure they say in power and act....corrupt
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • hsewifhsewif Posts: 444
    gue_barium wrote:
    C'mon, man, you can't argue the simplistic message, then, argue such simplistic BS yourself. :)

    you have argued liberty and that's a pretty broad term...

    53 entries at dictionary.com...I think that's a record. :)
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    hsewif wrote:
    you have argued liberty and that's a pretty broad term...

    53 entries at dictionary.com...I think that's a record. :)
    And there should be 100 billion definitions.

    I argue that capitalism and liberty are not the same thing, yet it seems there is a belief in this world today that they are the same thing.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • hsewifhsewif Posts: 444
    El_Kabong wrote:
    and our guns ensure they say in power and act....corrupt

    you'll be thankful for our guns when Iran starts dropping nukes.

    (we should stay on topic or start another thread)
  • Purple HawkPurple Hawk Posts: 1,300
    gue_barium wrote:
    I think capitalism as principal is what is being misunderstood here.
    Capitalistic opportunism created through violence and the suffering of others doesn't have anything to do with the how the checks and balances of a free market society are run. People attribute it to capitalistic principles, but warmongering for profit is something else altogether, to me.

    God I love warmongering...I honestly do...there is nothing better in life than a good ole' fashion war...especially when profit is to be had...

    I mean...that really does sum it up...

    I'll engage this discussion as far as I have, but when these are the underlying simplistic assumptions...again...we're on different planets and there's nothing to discuss.


    as far as the plight of Africa, a good book is William Easterly's "The Elusive Quest for Growth." Really interesting, and if you don't trust me, it was required reading from a liberal professor...it really is worth the read.
    And you ask me what I want this year
    And I try to make this kind and clear
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
    Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
    And desire and love and empty things
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    And as I pointed out, everything in the world will have a spectrum described by a bell curve.

    All that original pic is , is the extremes of the curve.
    If "normal" can be defined as within 2 or 3 standad deviations from the mean, both those kids clearly lie beyond that at either end, but sadly, you actually must have those extremes for the whole system to exist. It is inescapable !! To pretend otherwise is to try to re-define the Universe. (Fuck, I sound like ahnimus now)
    It's also true that any individual's worst enemy is another member of it's own species. Nothing else competes quite as precisely for the resources you need and have access to.

    Nah.

    We've got the starving kid, and the obese kid, both victims...

    BOTH VICTIMS.

    Underscored with: Enjoy Capitalism.

    You've gone off on a tangent I don't really care to follow, but at least acknowledge that capitalism is not Mother Nature.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • hsewifhsewif Posts: 444
    gue_barium wrote:
    And there should be 100 billion definitions.

    I argue that capitalism and liberty are not the same thing, yet it seems there is a belief in this world today that they are the same thing.

    I asked a question pages ago and it hasn't been answered.

    How does that pic define capitalism?
  • El_KabongEl_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    hsewif wrote:
    you'll be thankfull for our guns when Iran starts dropping nukes.

    (we should stay on topic or start another thread)


    it is on topic...it's a link in the chain that is the blame governments have in this

    when i said 'our guns' it was referencing a post i had made in this thread already, not our guns as in the guns the US has, but the guns we sell to these corrupt governments
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    God I love warmongering...I honestly do...there is nothing better in life than a good ole' fashion war...especially when profit is to be had...

    I mean...that really does sum it up...

    I'll engage this discussion as far as I have, but when these are the underlying simplistic assumptions...again...we're on different planets and there's nothing to discuss.


    as far as the plight of Africa, a good book is William Easterly's "The Elusive Quest for Growth." Really interesting, and if you don't trust me, it was required reading from a liberal professor...it really is worth the read.

    I love women.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • Purple HawkPurple Hawk Posts: 1,300
    gue_barium wrote:
    Nah.

    We've got the starving kid, and the obese kid, both victims...

    BOTH VICTIMS.

    the obese kid is the farthest thing from a victim. personal responsibility, or the lack thereof, should belong to everyone. failing to exercise that responsibility does not equate to victimhood.
    And you ask me what I want this year
    And I try to make this kind and clear
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
    Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
    And desire and love and empty things
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
  • hsewifhsewif Posts: 444
    El_Kabong wrote:
    it is on topic...it's a link in the chain that is the blame governments have in this

    when i said 'our guns' it was referencing a post i had made in this thread already, not our guns as in the guns the US has, but the guns we sell to these corrupt governments

    so we should blame our government for the choices its citizens make?
  • Purple HawkPurple Hawk Posts: 1,300
    gue_barium wrote:
    I love women.

    yeah
    And you ask me what I want this year
    And I try to make this kind and clear
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
    Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
    And desire and love and empty things
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    hsewif wrote:
    I asked a question pages ago and it hasn't been answered.

    How does that pic define capitalism?

    It doesn't, to me.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    Some socialist countries are doing quite well. I think outside influence and interference also plays a big role in their success.
    The only socialist countries doing well are doing it while participating fully in capitalistic market. Why do people keep trying to mix economies and government structures? You could call the US a socialist country as it provides social assistance and a plethoria of government programs designed to help the poor. So I guess the US isn't capitalistic but in comparison Africa is.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • hsewifhsewif Posts: 444
    the obese kid is the farthest thing from a victim. personal responsibility, or the lack thereof, should belong to everyone. failing to exercise that responsibility does not equate to victimhood.

    totally disagree.

    The obese kid eats what the parent puts in front of him/her.

    We're not talking about an adult... the pic clearly shows a child. A child that young can't go to the store and buy his/her own food, or prepare a meal.

    that kid (and he might have some sort of thyroid issue..) is a victim.
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