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I agree, but Socialist governments are also having troubles, and Communism doesn't have a good track record in any aspect. Let's not go into Fascism or Monarchies.
Probably we have to re-write the policies to be more humane, but that would take bipartisan collaboration, and that concept doesn't seem to come to our present Parties' minds.
I agree, but Socialist governments are also having troubles, and Communism doesn't have a good track record in any aspect. Let's not go into Fascism or Monarchies.
Socialism is not the answer. The problem is with understanding of capitalism itself.
Innovations usually come from small businesses and individuals, rarely from large corporations. In fact, through out my career, I have had the most opportunity to contribute with an outside the box thinking in a small company than in a large.
If you think large corporations are the way to go... well, I hope there are fewer people who think the way you do.
Maybe you should try reading some facts about 3M and GE and IBM and CSC and HP and many many other large companies.
I'm not willing to go deep in to debt to expand my side business, at least right now. I don't know anybody "important" or rich enough to give/loan me money. And I'm generally not a lucky person.
Plus, I'm trying to bring down this unequitable and unethical system. Why would I want to join in and become a corporate slave master?
1) I don't believe in luck. Opportunities are what you make of them. As a fellow Christian, I think you would agree that God sets opportunities in front of us at the right time, and it's up to us to take them or leave them. That is not luck.
2) I can somewhat agree on this. But that comes from networking and developing a great list of contacts, something everyone has control over.
3) Only when applying for a loan does this come into play. If you want a business loan, don't run up your personal debt.
If you're not willing to spend a little to expand your side business, you have no hopes of becoming a huge success. You have to take a little risk. Those who refuse to take risk will never be wealthy. It probably wouldn't even take a lot of money to expand a grant writing business, probably just more marketing would help (which does not have to be expensive). You can take out a personal loan or use a credit card to finance it even.
I see your line of thinking on the last part, but I think once you realize that you can run a business successfully without treating your employees like slaves, you will change your mind on your entire OP. Don't you want to be the benevolent business owner that you think does not exist, even if only to prove everyone else wrong? But you won't take the risk, so you will remain correct (in your mind) on this subject.
About a year ago, a certain locale, not far from where I live, had a Home Depot and across from it two large nurseries. One, family owned and another is a chain. One of the businesses, that had superior and unique nursery products, is gone. That was my preferred place to shop. Would you like to guess which one?
In your opinion, the products were superior. Obviously not everyone else thought that or they would still be in business. Maybe the products were the same but HD could sell them for a lower price. Maybe they were open limited hours and people wanted to shop at the one that has longer hours, open on Sundays, whatever. Maybe the one place doesn't take credit cards. I have no idea without having been there.
Innovations usually come from small businesses and individuals, rarely from large corporations. In fact, through out my career, I have had the most opportunity to contribute with an outside the box thinking in a small company than in a large.
If you think large corporations are the way to go... well, I hope there are fewer people who think the way you do.
No, a corporation does not have to be a big business. Anybody can incorporate. Our business is an LLC and it's owned by my husband, another LLC and another individual. The poster said he wants corporations done away with. If he wants big business to be done away with, he should have stated that.
Sam Walton is dead. Your point would be valid if his family started on the same footing as a mom and pa trying to get business started. Businesses don't like competitions, and mega corporations have ways and the means to suppress them.
Starting a business is no big deal, to be able to compete is a whole other issue. And when times are bad, it is usually the starters, the small businesses that are put to rest, and well ahead of the giants (unless they were grossly mismanaged).
People can find high quality produce at a neighborhood family owned market. Yet, more of them flock to Walmart. Why? And how often do you hear about massive opposition to a new Walmart in a neighborhood previously served by small enterprises? Never, I can safely assume?
Sam Walton, although dead now, in 1950 opened Walton's 5&10 store in Bentonville, Arkansas. He and his wife opened the first Walmart store in 1962.
Again, what did Sam Walton a ma and pa operation have that no one else has as a ma and pa, that they can not succeed in today's, capital system of (supply and demand) markets?
People are trying to tell me, that ma and pa do not stand a chance today, I believe they do, not only stand a chance, but have the same opportunity they had then to achieve their goals. (baring miss management of their small business)
Yes, there are no two people or two companies that are exactly alike. One will always be better than another, leaving one to be worse. We all have strengths and weaknesses, some more than others. That's the way the cookie crumbles. Companies are run by human beings, and thus take on the humanistic qualities of their owners (risk-taking, social empathy, conservative ideals, environmentally conscious, whatever), which makes them all uniquely positioned and advantaged or disadvantaged when it comes to their business plans and strategies. Look at savants, they are socially retarded but are extremely intelligent and sometimes gifted at music, enough for them to make a good living, better than you or I, someone who has better social skills. Maybe that example doesn't help you but that's the only way I can think to explain it. Competition is completely natural and healthy given the vast disparity of our personalities and qualities.
War is not a competitive behavior and is beside the point.
We don't consider "lower animals" to be lower for the fact that they compete over territory and prey, we consider them lower b/c they lack conscious understanding, complex feelings and higher thinking skills...all things humans have because our brains are more developed.
I would never say an animal is civilized, that term is reserved for humans only.
This entire post has not proven your point still...and I STILL FAIL TO SEE HOW COMPETITION IS A BAD THING.
At a very high-level, because we all could write a book on this topic, the problem with capitalism in America is...
1) NAFTA...we really could stop right here. But, let's move on.
2) Capitalism conflicts with democacy; thus, there will always be a conflict within a capitalistic society that claims a democratic methodology. A part of the definition of democracy is "the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or priviledges"; by that statement capitalism has already failed because it violates this statement. A democracy is a government for the people, of the people, and by the people; a "rule by majority" which sounds very socialist to me.
3) your government provides no balance for capitalism, or does a very poor job of doing so. Your executive, legislative and judicial branches of government are run by people. And, since I subscribe to the politicians are human beings, all human beings make mistakes, thus, politicians make mistakes philosophy, it is safe to say that these branches of government will either (a) accept a bribe from a lobbyist to vote for a bill that allows capitalism to tip the scales of justice as these politicians are capitalists, too or fail to devise proper statutes that will allow for the enforcement of specific industries as some of these companies actually participate in the crafting of their own laws - which violates the separation of duties [legislative]; (b) be unable to provide oversight and enforcement to an entity as big as capitalism [executive]; or (c) fail to prosecute corporations due to entity having the financial means or intellect to manipulate the system [judicial] . Three perfect examples of this are: (1) the Federal government viewing GM, Ford and Chrylser too big to fail, but allows Circuit City, several mom and pop stores, and American taxpayers to go bankrupt or go into foreclosure; (2) the creation of the "American Dream" which convinces bottom feeders to consume what they can in order to stimulate economic growth or wealth for those who produce the goods; and (3) Reaganomics and the good old trickle-down economics.
4) American capitalism is not true capitalism. In true capitalism, money would continually change hands - example: i run a business -> i employ who i can -> i pay them wages -> i make money -> i pay employees -> we all pay for every single thing we do in society and the money circulates continuously. But, with America's version of capitalism, you have 2 problems: (a) capitalism mixing with socialist ideas (example: I support capitalism 100%, but I don't want circulate my money so i encourage and utilize the public school system, i move money off-shore so it cannot be taxed, i take advantage of free parks and recreational services offered by the Feds or the State, i utilized government contracts and grants to add to my revenue or i must be incentivized by the government to hire or open a business in America); or (b) greed, aka CAPITALISM ON STERIODS (example: i make $10M in profits in 2010, but if I were to outsource to China or India, or if I automate Y functions, I can triple my profits in 2011). Basically, the money does not flow continuously; it ends in my pocket! Other examples would include Enron, Wall Street circa 2005, Mortgage Lenders' creation of the no-interest loan, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and the thousands of companies that abuse caveat emptor. American capitalism is, essentially, Fascism.
5) Consumer greed in the sense that (a) I could buy Michael Jackson's new CD, but I'd rather burn it from Napster or "borrow" it from my friend, or (2) let me sue X corp. because although I saw the "wet floor" sign, i also see an opportunity to get paid, and the company settles out of court to save on legal fees. See also, babies mamas of athletes and musicians.
Last edited by ajsmith365; 03-08-2011 at 02:29 PM..
Reason: add perspective to a sentence.
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