Capitalism necessarily leads to oligopoly, impoverishment of the masses, and then crisis, which has been demonstrated over and over again, yet you deny this very obvious fact. Your failing in this area consequently does little to recommend your judgement to me.[/quote]
Where has capitalism lead to impoverishment of the masses? How is this even possible?[/quote]
I was wondering the same thing.
Also, while capitalism indeed leads to oligopoly, socialism leads to monopoly, which is a lot worse due to the inevitable loss of efficiency.
You are making quite a bold statement by saying capitalism leads to crisis, do you mind explaining this?
As far as I know most capitalist countries (the West) seem to have done allright (allthough we have a small drawback at the moment). However, the real socialist countries (USSR, Cuba, most African countries) seem to have fallen a long way. How can one possible decide that capitalism leads to crisis and portray this as a fact?
[quote]ZEB wrote:It’s either that or you’re yet another messed up college punk who sits there open mouthed while his socialist professor spoon feeds you your latest thoughts for the day.
Yea, I think that’s it.[/quote]
We don’t talk politics much in physics class. Believe it or not, some people come to different conclusions than you do without being fed opinions.
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[quote]CappedAndPlanIt wrote:
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like the idea of people having to rely on the government for their money. I just have this crazy notion that the vast majority of people would rather work for what they get and aren’t gleeful about getting “Free government monies!!”[/quote]
Gleeful? No. But it’s all about circumstance isn’t it? We all find ourselves in some strange situations in life. Some find themselves collecting money (or other support) from the government. When this happens the incentive it taken away.
A fair comparison would be when you’ve just finished a delicious dinner. You are full and very satisfied. There’s no reason to be out looking for more to eat is there?
Those on the government dole find themselves less hungry to look for their own lot in life.
Again, it’s human nature right down to the bone.
Thanks, but I hope you’re not thinking that minimum wage should be raised, because it shouldn’t. What should happen is to limit governments role in keeping the person afloat for more than a certain number of days or weeks.
Fair enough?
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I think people have incentive to work even when they have the chance at free government funds. Sense of self sufficiency, prospect of promotions, etc. In some cases, you’re absolutely right, people will do whatever is easiest/most advantageous for them. But I think more often than not a person would rather work than be on welfare.
Raising minimum wage would just raise the price of everything else, so thats probably not the best of ideas.
What about the government incentivising companies/businesses to open up in certain areas (stimulate the local economy and give people more job opprotunities)?
What about the government incentivising companies/businesses to open up in certain areas (stimulate the local economy and give people more job opprotunities)? [/quote]
I don’t like that, business has not gone into certain areas for a reason. To try to artificially pump up one area over another smacks of what we tried to do when the government thought everyone should have the opportunity to own a home, that worked out really well didn’t it?
Better yet, why not just give small business tax breaks down the line. From buying property and machinery to hiring people? In other words allow people to keep more of the money that they earned instead of stealing it from them. A rising tide floats all boats.