- Capitalism and Alternatives -

Re: We don't live in Utopia

Posted by: Steven Tresidder ( Australia ) on May 28, 1997 at 18:23:36:

In Reply to: Re: We don't live in Utopia posted by Isaac on May 28, 1997 at 11:50:03:

>> Capitalism is Freedom. It is the drive for personal and econmic freedom.
>> Freedom for the one percent of Americans who own forty percent of the
>> wealth, perhaps. The rest of us under the thumbs of the bosses don't
>> feel nearly so free.

> Well then move up and don't settle for mediocraty! That is the beauty and
> law of capitalism, survival of the fittest! And don't tell us that you
> can't move up because that is untrue and if you do, it is your fault and
> not the fault of capitalism.

If only this were true. If the sons and daughters of the rich were not granted significant financial advantages through inheritance, prehaps we would all stand a chance of being equal in this 'survival of the fittest' that you advocate and admire.

It is also ironic that you live in a fascist corporate state that oppresses, imprisons and enslaves the majority of its population under the rule of the minority, and you seem to accept your own state's propaganda hook, line and sinker. Equality, liberty and democracy in your country, and many the others suffering under the tyranny of American b(w)ankers, are philosophies that are repressed at home and abroad. If they weren't, your capitalistic perversion that shames and perverts your proud constitution and revolution could not exist. All your resources, military aid and propaganda, even on your own doorstep, have still failed to overcome the brave peoples of Central America.

>> Most workers put in far more than they will ever get back. That is the
>> definition of capitalism.

> If the workers choose to make the rich richer, then that is their problem so
> go and talk with them. Tell them to stop the someone else when they should be
> looking out for themselves. That is the definition of capitalism.

The definition of capitalism is that 'Me, and my families' wants and needs are more important than anything else in the world'. If workers living under the system of capitalism fail to live up to this, they and their familes will starve.

Workers have no choice to but participate in the system, or they and their families will starve. Prehaps this is another example of the perverted American definition of democracy? They have a choice - they can work or starve. What sort of fascist concept of choice is that? And do not take their silence as wholehearted approval of capitalism. If a reasonable proposal were advocated to liberate them for their current dilemma appeared in the mainstream, it would catch on, with dedicated work from the grassroots, rather than the current academic and highbrowed leftist crap that is peddled in this forum daily. Witness the successes of the Trade Union Movement in the improvement of wages and conditions across the world. If this sort of industrial organising could be complemented by a feasible and rational alternative, capitalism would be a just tainted phase of human sociology.

> To achieve the power of capital, one must pocess determination, ambition,
> and skill in capitalism. And the ones who do pocess them are living a life
> sucess.

Or living the success of their fathers (sic), or their father's fathers (sic) or their father's father's father (sic), yea, even unto the middle ages. Inherited wealth has nothing to do with the ambition, skill and determination of the generation that reaps the benefit and struggle of their forefathers. (sic) They were only born in the right place at the right time and in the right circumstances, like all of us. It is easy to say that you should do the best with what you have got when you inherit a Newspaper empire,like Lauglan Murdoch, for example.


>> No doubt some people can find happiness and meaning as slaves for
>> capital, but others will always seek true freedom. And don't think
>> about killing yourself--the corporations will do it for you and save
>> you the trouble.

> Corporations will only kill you if you let them. If you CHOOSE to let, that
> is your choice. So do not complain to us about your choice to die. As I said
> before, in captialism and life, the game is survival of the fittest. And if
> you want to exceed in life, get fit.

Capitalists, and especially US capitalists, are notorious for the Orwellian usage of the word choice. Apparently, the USA is a virtual meritocracy for those born under the flag - there are no apparent diffences in levels of available health care, education, and employment opportunities between the different groups of society. You claim that everyone has the same variety and degree of choices, and as a result, those that do not succeed, lack the skills, attitudes and determination to do so.

I eagerly wait to be entertained by american success stories - the newspaper and media baron that once sold newspapers in the street and worked his way up, or the gritty and persistent negro that just didn't give up in the face of adversity..etc..etc..

This is sometimes called the lottery defence of capitalism. There are big prizes in a lottery, and you must be 'in it' to win it. However, very few actually win anything, but when they do, it is their success that is glamorised and sensationalised, while the constant losses of literally millions of others is glossed over. After all, for the lottery organisers, the success of these few keeps everyone buying tickets in the vain hope that they too can be winners. It becomes an addiction that clouds your judgement.

Unfortunately, a growing number of people are starting to question where their lottery money is going.....and this pathetic facade that hides the repression and tyranny by the minority is starting to slip.


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