Capitalism: A Hate Story, Part I

The discussions the last few days around the “Occupy Wall Street” crowd has resulted in some interesting thoughts coming out on all sides. A few weeks ago (months ago?) Mr. Stella claimed that I must know that Capitalism is a failed enterprise because I refused to answer Noam Chomsky’s claim that capitalism would not survive for five minutes without government. A claim that tonight I call nonsense. And I will tell you why, Mr. Stella. It is because in the first place, what Chomsky refers to as capitalism in most of his “intelligent” discussions is actually nothing more than a convenient manipulation of the definition of capitalism in order to fit his argument.

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Capitalism… Day Two

I have to tell you all how disappointed I was to not have time to participate in the discussions around the “Capitalism vs. Communism” article last week. Work intervened and I have failed over the last few weeks to maintain that work/life balance thing they way I should. But today I offer article number two around the idea of capitalism and do so with a caveat. I promised a short article that explained where I think capitalism falls short. And that is what I will offer. At the same time, in the comments below, I will try to offer some answers and replies to the comments from the previous article. There were some good points made, and there were also some ridiculous points made. I will attempt to offer what I can to both. So first, A few thoughts from me around where capitalism is falling short.

Capitalism v Communism

In having some discussions with people over the last few days it has blossomed in my mind the idea that many of those who so vehemently lambast capitalism have no understanding what capitalism actually is. As a result they attack and attack using examples and historical incidents as justification for ending capitalism when those examples are no such justification. So I feel like I have to write this article to clarify that point, to help those who are floundering with those conversations gain some understanding of what my belief is in capitalism. Further it will help those who attack it understand why I refuse to accept the idea that some form of communism/socialism/fascism because it is not only immoral, but is also far worse for any people who aspire to live free.

Why I Don’t Care What the World Thinks

Tonight I am going to talk briefly about the speech that the President gave today at the United Nations. Then I am going to explain why he is dead wrong and bad for America. I listened to the speech because I wanted to hear what he was going to say to the world. As I have said in the recent past, I am past the point of believing that the President is going to do anything that will make this country, better, stronger, faster than it was before (how many of you recognize that as part of the opening for “The Six Million Dollar Man”? I loved when Steve Austin battled Bigfoot). He has a vision for America. And his vision is horribly wrong. So was George Bush’s vision, for the record. And it is time that we started looking at things the way they are rather than the way the politicians tell us they are. It is time we started remembering why this country came to the greatness that it did, and stop these out of control Washington lunatics from turning it into the economic and industrial wasteland that the majority of the world has become.

The Reality of Taxing the “Rich”

We have all heard plenty of talking points over the last year or so from the left about getting the rich to “pay their fair share”. Given the realities of who pays what in this country, that is a baffling statement from folks who obviously are appealing to emotion rather than looking at the facts surrounding what they are talking about. Recently in the comments I saw some discussion about the “death tax” and how it was the right thing to do, about what its purpose was, etc… But again I saw so many facts being ignored when that argument was being made. So I decided that I wanted to once again tackle the idea of class warfare and getting the rich under control, a game played by the left these days, but played by all politicians when it is politically expedient to do so. Because there are just too many flaws in the argument, and too many individual rights being trampled on…

Guest Commentary: Life of Illusion Weighs In

Another Friday night is upon us. I am quite pleased to say that I have been receiving quite a few submissions for guest commentaries. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. Not only does it mean that I get a night off of researching and writing (for the most part). It also means that more and more of you reading this blog are getting involved and researching the things you are passionate about. And there is nothing I could want more from this endeavor than to spur the thought process and engage people’s brains again. Many of you have discussed the fact that you were apathetic for a long time and now find that getting the brain active again is a great feeling. I see the increase in submissions as proof this is happening!

March Towards Socialism Part 2 UPDATED!

So we continue on the path to understanding what exactly is going on in today’s political environment. I think this is an important series to be covering. Folks like Adam, who jump in and throw around insults and bemoan being called socialist, need to be educated. More importantly, everyone needs to be educated. The media and the Democrats tend to try to make anyone who applies the “socialist tag” to anything out to be right wing radicals who are just fear mongering “like Republicans do”. People need to understand that socialist isn’t meant to be a negative label, at least not from me. It is meant to be an accurate label, that accurately describes what is happening in today’s society, right under our noses. I am fine with socialism, just not in America under a constitution that expressly forbids it. If people want to give socialism a shot, I can roll with that, just not here, move to some other country and try it there. HERE, constitutional law forbids socialism.

In a Return Appearance….

OK, a couple of weeks ago I gave my forum over to one of my biggest opponents on the issues, Black Flag. He had written a very good post about economics that I thought was relevant and good for everyone to read. The response to his article was very positive. The discussions that ensued were respectful and productive. One of the things that I have realized over the last couple weeks is that Black Flag has a very good grasp on economic discussions and always adds insight that is productive and thought provoking. So I have asked him to make a return appearance as a guest commentator. And he graciously accepted the invitation and took the time to write another article.