It occured to me about 8 months ago that the Free market and Biodiversity are essentially the same argument and yet you’ll find them on opposite sides of the political spectrum, in America.
The idea is “Different businesses/animals trying to survive in different ways, being regulated by how successful they are and allowing them to die out or thrive based on their own merits. – Mericrat
It’s a very interesting comparison. In my mind though, the natural world and biodiversity isn’t a constant struggle for more, it just is. The end being existence and the means living.
In our capitalistic economy, the end is accumulation of wealth for the lucky few. And the means is wasteful production, exploitation of resources, and dehumanizing and marginalizing the less fortunate.
It’s nothing more than social-darwinism. Except the prize isn’t reproduction, it’s a life of luxury, advantages and special treatment at the expense of others hard work.
Since the interest + principle of the outstanding loans will always exceed the available money supply, this aspect constitutes nothing less than a form of economic slavery, for it is virtually impossible for the collective public to ever get out of debt.
Also, the term ‘Economic Growth’ is actually nonsense, for all expansive growth is temporary and must be counter balanced by contraction. The only reason more jobs are created is because more money is in circulation.
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Wow Viking, your other post makes some great points. Credit itself does NOT create wealth, it in fact creates the illusion of wealth… …And yes, you are right the world is bankrupt, mainly westernized nations who have vote-buying socialist programs to maintain. It’s not sustainable… so get used to the idea of a return to Social Darwinism.
Listen guys, the good times are over. Not because of free market capitalism but because of CRONY capitalism where the goverment and big business are bed buddies and take care of each other at our expense (stealing our wealth through taxes or inflation). – Dannerrrr
Oh yes, I’m fully aware this is the reality of things. And very unlikely to change anytime soon. I have no illusions about the faux American ideals we have all been sold with. That only recieves lip service more often than not, as far as everyone having an equal chance to achieve the ‘American dream’ on the merits of their actions, and living in a ‘Democracy’ of the people, with ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ for all.
…When the truth is, just like in the times of my ancestors the Vikings, only the strongest, most cunning and ruthlessly deceptive and brutal recieve the lion’s share of wealth. …Other than the well-connected and established or just plain lucky. Except instead of straightforward physical strength, it favors the most manipulative and willful. Most people of decent ethical values, just assume to live a humble life of servitude to the oligarchy.
Btw the points brought up in that other post, I can’t take credit for. They come from the activist arm of the Venus Project, called the Zeitgeist Movement. I’m just trying to spead the message, which I wholeheartedly agree with.
Though I would like to note I do believe there are alot of really good intentioned people in this country, in the news media and in government right now, especially Obama. And they are going to do their best to work within the current system to attempt to adhere to the constitutional beliefs this country was founded on. Which could, in theory, be the most ideal societal structure man has come up with to date. If it works…
But with all the fluctuation and manipulation of the market, alot of people are starting to think the carefully crafted bubble is going to burst. And we will be forced to address the fundamental problematic foundations of society, or potentially see a whole new dark age of mankind.
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Joe Cassano: President of AIG’s financial products division. Cost so far to U.S. taxpayers: $180 billion. Cassano made $300 million before leaving AIG last year.
Angelo Mozilo: Countrywide Financial. In 2007, Mozilo unloaded $121 million in options. That same year, the company announced it had lost $704 million, and the share prices tanked. Last fall, Countrywide’s new corporate owner agreed to pay up to $8.7 billion to settle a massive predatory lending suit.
Frank Raines and Daniel Mudd: Fannie Mae. In 2006, Fannie paid a $400 million civil fine to settle charges that Raines and others? overstated earnings. Raines walked away from his six-year tenure $91 million richer. Starting in 2005, successor Mudd continued the reckless policies. He left last year more than $10 million richer. Your bill: tens of billions
Senator Chris Dodd: Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, Dodd was behind bailout language that protected bonuses for Wall Street companies—including that shocking $218 million given to AIG execs. In 2003, he accepted two special “VIP” mortgages from Mozilo’s Countrywide, reportedly saving up to $70,000.
Phil Gramm: Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, said in 2001. “I see the American Dream in action.” The Texas Republican, who has since retired from the Senate, fought to deregulate those infamous credit-default swaps that brought down AIG and other derivatives. He also blocked attempts to limit the kind of predatory lending that wiped out thousands of families. Today, Gramm is a well-paid executive at Swiss banking giant UBS.
Federal regulators: The Federal Reserve and the SEC failed to stem the reckless behavior of big banks—despite clear warning signs of potential collapse as early as 2006. Regulators took at face value assurances from banks that they had enough capital to back up their financial gambles.
Alan Greenspan: The Federal Reserve’s former chairman dismissed the idea of a nationwide housing bubble as “most unlikely” while further fueling home sales with low interest rates. In 2004, he even encouraged home buyers to pursue risky adjustable rate mortgages against the advice of other experts. And he opposed attempts to regulate the exotic financial instruments at the heart of the current mess. Greenspan recently admitted that he has “found a flaw” in his worldview, which strongly favored unrestrained markets.
Jim Cramer: “Bear Stearns is not in trouble,” the host of CNBC’s Mad Money shouted on March 11, 2008. “Don’t move your money from Bear!” The Wall Street bank collapsed days later. Cramer made similarly bad calls about Lehman Brothers and Bank of America. His excuse? He relied too heavily on personal assurances from insiders at those banks.
Us: Many of us borrowed too much and bought homes we knew we couldn’t afford. And by not paying attention to and not participating more in our political system, we made it too easy for those in Washington to get in bed with corporations and special interests.
Naming and shaming some of the key culprits is only a start.
Source – http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/outrageous-worst-of-america/article140039.html
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