The Future of Capitalism

[F.C.James]

In an article entitled "The Future of Capitalism" on page 53 of this week's Time magazine, Arianna Huffington makes an observation of something that I have noticed also. And I find it very troubling.

Referring to the bailout she says:

"...What is fascinating is the agreement among serious economists that we're doing the wrong thing by trying to protect the Wall Street oligarchy. What's amazing is that we're not having enough of a populist outrage about that...."

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1898067_1898072,00.html

Why is it most middle class Americans are not holding the Wall Street types responsible for this economical debacle ? Have we all been raped so many times that we figure it's all out fault ? Or are we so damn stupid that we figure Wall Street acts only for our good ? Are we actually so brain washed that we are trying to protect what we think of as our masters ?

Whatever the reason, it shows a certain lack of physical, mental and moral courage on our part not to rise up and pitchfork a few hundred of the so-called super rich. The smell of (their) houses burning will do more to prevent a recurrence of this outrage than any Federal regulations will.

[datasuspect]

1. "burn, baby, burn"

[Deja Q]

2. So where is she in action, instead of in word?

She wants others to do her dirty work.

I can't speak for everybody, but I'm not going to be a sacrificial lamb for her.

Hmmm, I'm going out for mutton tonight. Mmmmmm, mutton... :9

[RandomThoughts]

3. This is a subtle argument for feudal system.

-It says people are happier as slaves. It says if people really did not want to be wage slaves, or in fear of losing health care or jobs, they would do something about it.

The counter is if that was true, then why does the actions of the few have to be hidden.

-Which is countered by because if they know they will lose the bliss of ignorance, and it is better for them not to know, or 'they can't handle the truth.'

Which is countered by people can not make a free will choice without knowing the options so deception and hiding is stealing free will. Or slavery. And you can't know which people would choose to be willing slaves, until they have the free will choice not to be. So even if some would choose that, you oppress those that would not. And the percentage can only be known by education and knowledge of what goes on, and opportunity to make changes to the system.

-Then there is a big argument about how people must be responsible to seek out the education, it is available if it is looked for, and that determines who should lead.

Which is countered with but the people who do find the information, and do know what happens in all sectors when they speak about it to people, get side tracked by the people that want to maintain control for their own means by using deceit or distraction. So the real competitiveness of ideas shifts from best system to method to maintain a system.

And off you go with the battle of

Deceit distraction dumbing down,
versus
Free will, compassion, and education again.


And then back to Hamilton versus Jefferson, discussion. People are basically good, or basically bad and specialty of the aristocrats, and downward spiral stuff. But it is interesting thinking on it.

Oh and of course in the back of the mind of some is they are better then others, so any method they use is ok because they are picked to lead. That argument is always the worst.


Of coarse if you want to change the system. You have to first get people to think they can make a difference in life, then let them know what their choices are, then see what they choose. And once they choose, they have to decide if they are willing to speak up for it with friends and neighbors.

If activities are done to stop any of the above, other then civil argument in the case of talking with others, its theft of choice or free will. Stealing one of the first gifts God gave man, whew, I wouldn't think that is the best of ideas. But it is only my opinion, people get to think as they choose.


(also note the article says if you want it, why arn't people taking it from the rich, by saying 'burning houses'. But this is the very mindset of some of the rich, survival of the fittest, and constant violence in society. This is a defense for being rich, saying because they were able to steal it from pension plans and workers that were not strong enough to stop them, it makes the money theirs. Its standard thuggery thought. Mad max, anarchy, that stuff.)

[KansDem]

4. We're not ready to die yet...

...it shows a certain lack of physical, mental and moral courage on our part not to rise up and pitchfork a few hundred of the so-called super rich.

I mean, "ready to be killed yet." If we all amassed to create a mob and marched on Wall Street, US Congress, or whatever, I'm sure we'll be met by "security forces" who will not hesitate mow us down with superior firepower, if given the chance. And who of us wants to be at the front of this mob?

But I do agree with your sentiment; we have been played for fools over and over for the last several decades. It's so bad that they don't even try to hide it anymore. In fact, they laugh in our faces while taking our money...

[lunatica]

5. You seem to be an advocate for violence

Why would Americans want to lynch anyone? We are, in spite of what may seem, a pretty civilized country and most of us still want to believe we're a country of laws. Burning mansions down will get us jailed, which is as it should be.

[RandomThoughts]

7. And violence never helps the violent.

it is a trap, which is why there are false flag attacks, and provocateurs at rallies.

[F.C.James]

8. No, I don't advocate violence

But it is so frustrating to see all of us run over because our masters on Wall Street know that we will never do more than whimper and lick their hand -- no matter what they do to us.

Although we will never act, it would be nice if we at least talked a bad game. They might even come to respect us.

We are so busy pretending that we are all of the same economic class that they have nothing to fear.

As Warren Buffett said not long ago:

"Of course we are in a class war. And my class is winning".

He's the same guy who pointed out that his secretary paid a higher percent of her income to income taxes than he does.

[anigbrowl]

9. No. You just suggest people are cowardly for not engaging in it.

Demagoguery never stays too far from the basics of fear and lust.

[F.C.James]

10. I don't think it's demagoguery

I ran across an article by Joe Bageant this morning that sums up my feelings:

Am I an advocate for working class folks? I suppose I am in a way. But I never thought of it like that. I've always thought of it as telling the truth about America's class system through simple and compassionate reporting on the real lives of my people.

As to being their defender, that would be hubris. No one can defend them but themselves. And in America my people, the rednecks, trailer trash, truck driver or technician, it doesn't matter, they don't seem very capable of doing that. It would take a revolution, a real one with the people willing to use force, and by force I don't mean fists.

Our new authoritarian corporate state, our declining empire, was built on using force against anything in its path, whether it be directly, as with the red Indians or by Israeli proxy against the Palestinians. There is simply no way to "work within the system" and do that. The system IS the problem.


http://www.joebageant.com/joe/2009/05/deer-in-the-headlights-of-america.html#more

[RandomThoughts]

6. There is another thing.

If there is a huge disparity of wealth causing suffering. That event is not to make one wealthy another poor, it is to make the poor person angry, and violent, thereby using the evil of greed to create more evil of violence or envy or anger.

Which is why the way you end the disparity is get rid of the greed not join it. If you choose to give no power to money, by not letting it pay for you to break a principle (note I still do that at times also, not trying to sound self righteous) Then you defeat greed by showing the thing they were greedy for has no value.